Naderman receives national FFA honor

Dr. George C. Naderman Jr. of Cary, retired Extension soil specialist with N.C. State University, received the Honorary American FFA Degree during the 84th National FFA Convention, held Oct. 21-23 in Indianapolis. The award is given to those who advance agricultural education and FFA through outstanding personal commitment.

All recipients received a certificate and medal and their names will be permanently recorded. Members of the National FFA Board of Directors approved the nomination.

This award demonstrates appreciation by FFA chapters in North Carolina for Naderman’s contributions over 30 years to the Land Judging program, a “Career Development Event” held annually across the state of North Carolina. As an Extension specialist in N.C. State’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Naderman prepared several revisions of the Land Judging Handbook and developed an extensive, computer-based “Picture Presentation for Teachers and Learners.”

Naderman was born in Westport, Indiana, in 1940, where he lived and worked on his family’s farm until entering college. He earned a bachelor’s degree in agronomy and a master’s degree in soil science, both from Purdue University. In 1973, he earned his doctorate in soil science from Cornell University. He served as a Peace Corps agronomist in Panama from 1963-65 and conducted research in Columbia in 1971 for his doctoral dissertation.

Naderman joined the faculty of the N.C. Agricultural Extension Service in 1974. During his career, he was active in programming for both FFA and 4-H. When he retired from N.C. State in 2001, he held the titles of extension specialist and associate professor of soil science.

In addition, a three-term president of N.C. State University’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences’ Alumni and Friends Society received the American FFA Degree. Richard H. Brooks of Apex, who earned a 1979 bachelor’s degree in soil conservation from CALS, has a long history of involvement with the college. In 2000, he joined the board of advisors of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Alumni and Friends Society.

In 2000, Brooks was elected vice president of the society and served three terms as its president, 2003-2006. He now sits on the Council of Presidents with other distinguished past presidents.

In his professional role in soil conservation, he provides technical soil and education services. He especially enjoys conducting regional and state FFA Land Judging Contests, which earned him the American FFA Degree.

The National FFA Organization works to enhance the lives of youth through agricultural education. Without the efforts of highly dedicated individuals, thousands of young people would not be able to achieve success that, in turn, contributes directly to the overall well being of the nation. The Honorary American FFA Degree is an opportunity to recognize those who have gone beyond the valuable daily contributions to make an extraordinary long-term difference in the lives of students, inspiring confidence in a new generation of agriculturists.

The National FFA Organization, formerly known as Future Farmers of America, is a national youth organization of more than 523,000 student members – all preparing for leadership and careers in the science, business and technology of agriculture – as part of 7,487 local FFA chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.