On April 10, the Guin FFA Chapter proudly hosted an Ag Expo at Bevill State Community College in Hamilton, bringing together freshmen from Brilliant, Hackleburg, Phillips, Hamilton, and Marion County High School for a hands-on exploration of agricultural careers.
Through a powerful partnership with Marion County Career Coaches, Extension, and Northwest RC&D, this event aligned with the mission of the National FFA Organization, developing premier leadership, personal growth, and career success through agricultural education.
Students had the opportunity to tour Bevill State programs while engaging directly with industry professionals representing a wide range of career pathways, including Alabama Power, Tombigbee Electric Cooperative, forestry, game wardens, beekeeping, trapping, farming, Alabama Cooperative Extension System, Alabama Farmers Cooperative, fire services, and Natural Resources Conservation Service, just to name a few.
A special thank you to John Sims for grilling and keeping everyone fueled throughout the day, and to Ben Phillips of Phillips Brothers Auction for delivering an engaging keynote on the art of auctioneering.
This event would not have been possible without the collaboration of MCHS and Hackleburg FFA students alongside Bevill State Ambassadors and Northwest RC&D who worked together seamlessly to ensure a smooth and impactful experience for all involved.
Events like this bring the FFA vision to life, empowering students to discover their potential and prepare for meaningful careers in agriculture and beyond.
#AlabamaFFA #AgEducation #FutureFarmers #CareerReady #GrowingLeadersfromthegroundup



All Marion County Schools' students will dismiss 1/2 day tomorrow, April 15, for a professional development/teacher workday. Buses will run at 11:30.

Our students recently competed in the Marion County FFA LDE Competitive Events and Beef Cook-Off, and we are incredibly proud of their hard work, growth, and accomplishments. Events like these showcase not only talent, but dedication, leadership, and the future of agriculture in our community.
A big thank you to Hackleburg High School and FFA Advisor Brandon McDuffa for hosting such a well-organized event. We also appreciate Kristin Nunley for leading a valuable clinic on Conduct of Chapter and Discussion Meet, helping our students sharpen their skills. Thank you to our Career Coaches, Oakley Ward and Lindsey Oliver, for investing in our students, and to all of our judges for your time, support, and meaningful feedback.
Congratulations to our outstanding competitors:
• Mason Harrod – Senior Division Beef Cook-Off Winner
• Imri Engle – 2nd Place, Junior Division Beef Cook-Off
• Jaxson Green – 3rd Place, Junior Division Beef Cook-Off
• Caleb Smith – 2nd Place, Extemporaneous Speaking
• Roony Vasquez – 1st Place, Spanish Creed Speaking
• Kamahri Taylor – 2nd Place, Prepared Public Speaking
We are proud of every Marion County High School student who stepped up to compete, learn, and represent our program so well.
If you’ve ever thought about getting involved in FFA, now is the time! These experiences build confidence, leadership, and real-world skills that last a lifetime. Come be part of something bigger. We’d love to have you!
#MarionCountyFFA #FFA #Leadership #AgEducation #FutureFarmers #buildingleadersfromthegroundup

On Friday, students traveled to Daily Farms in Russellville to compete in several exciting events including Forestry Judging, Land Evaluation, Quiz Bowl, Zero Turn, and Livestock. Our students represented Marion County High School with hard work, determination, and outstanding teamwork.
Results from the day:
• Ross Seaborn – 3rd Place, Zero Turn
• Quiz Bowl Team – 2nd Place
• Land Evaluation Team – 2nd Place
• Livestock Team – 3rd Place
We are incredibly proud of every student who stepped up to compete and represent our school and community. Your dedication to agriculture, leadership, and learning shows exactly what FFA is all about.
If you’re looking for a place to grow your skills, build friendships, and be part of something bigger, FFA is the place to be! The future of agriculture is bright, and these students are just getting started.
Great job to all who competed. Keep pushing forward and striving for even more success! #FFA #MarionCountyFFA #LearningByDoing

If you’ve been wondering what our Marion County High School Ag students have been up to… the answer is A LOT!
Our classes have been busy researching, planning, creating, and presenting across all areas of agriculture. From hands-on learning to creative problem solving, students are exploring the many paths agriculture has to offer.
Here’s just a glimpse of what’s happening in our program:
Gardens & Greenhouses – Students are learning how to grow crops, manage plant health, and understand the science behind successful production.
Vermiculture – Yes… worms! Students are studying how worms improve soil health and sustainability through natural composting.
Animal & Dairy Science – Exploring animal care, nutrition, and the role livestock plays in feeding the world.
Media & Marketing in Agriculture – Learning how to promote agriculture, communicate important industry messages, and share the story of where our food comes from.
Research & Presentations – Students are developing leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills while diving into real agricultural topics.
Agriculture is science, business, technology, leadership, and hands-on learning all rolled into one. And the best part? There’s a place for everyone. Whether you love animals, plants, technology, communications, or the environment, our Ag Program has something for you!
Come grow with us and be part of something exciting at Marion County High School Ag!
#MarionCountyAg #AgEducation #GrowingLeaders #FutureOfAgriculture #FFA
Our Ag students at Marion County High School recently had the opportunity to learn directly from Winston County Extension Director Zack Brannon, who visited our Agriculture classes and Land Evaluation Team to share hands-on knowledge about soil sampling and soil testing.
Understanding the science beneath our feet is critical for successful agriculture, conservation, and land management. During the visit, students explored data-driven soil analysis—learning how proper sampling techniques and soil test reports can guide decisions about nutrient management, crop productivity, and sustainable land use.
Key takeaways from the session included:
How accurate soil sampling impacts the reliability of lab results
Using soil test data to determine fertilizer and nutrient needs
The connection between soil health and crop performance
Preparing soil samples the correct way for testing
This knowledge is especially valuable as our Land Evaluation Team prepares for upcoming competitions, where understanding soil characteristics and land capability plays a huge role in success. Experiences like this help bridge classroom learning with real-world agricultural science.
A huge thank you to Zack Brannon for investing time in our students and helping equip the next generation of agricultural leaders with practical, science-based knowledge!
We’re excited to see our students apply what they learned as they continue preparing for upcoming classes, contests, and competitions. The future of agriculture starts with education, curiosity, and strong community partnerships like this one.
#AgEducation #SoilScience #LandJudging #ExtensionEducation #FutureOfAgriculture
Students in our Intro to Animal & Dairy Science and Poultry Science classes at Marion County High School recently had the opportunity to hear from Bethanie Gulley, Poultry Science Recruitment Coordinator from Auburn University!
Bethanie shared exciting information about careers in poultry science, agriculture opportunities, and scholarships available to students interested in the ag industry. From working with animal nutrition and flock management to research, food production, and agribusiness, students learned that poultry science opens doors to a wide variety of career paths!
Fun Ag Facts about Alabama:
• Alabama’s poultry industry is the #1 agricultural commodity in the state.
• The state produces over 1 billion broilers each year.
• Poultry contributes billions of dollars annually to Alabama’s economy.
• Thousands of jobs across the state are connected to poultry production, processing, and research.
Bethanie also highlighted the many scholarship opportunities and programs available through Auburn University for students interested in agriculture and poultry science. For students passionate about animals, science, food production, or agricultural business, the future is full of possibilities!
A huge thank you to Bethanie Gulley and Auburn University for investing in our students and helping them see the exciting opportunities available in agriculture.
Who knows? Today’s classroom could be home to tomorrow’s poultry scientists, veterinarians, nutritionists, or agricultural leaders!
#AgEducation #PoultryScience #AuburnUniversity #FutureOfAgriculture #AlabamaAgriculture #DepartmentofPoultryScienceatAuburnUniversity




A huge thank you to Northwest RC&D for allowing the Marion County High School FFA Officers, Hospitality Committee, and our Committee Chairs & Co-Chairs to attend your quarterly meeting!
We are especially grateful for the opportunity for our advisor, Mrs. Ginger Eatman, and our FFA President, Addyson Gann, to speak and share about our program. Experiences like this allow our students to step outside the classroom, build confidence, and develop real-world leadership skills.
What a powerful opportunity to grow our leaders from the ground up! Thank you, Northwest RC&D for investing in our students and helping us grow.
#LeadershipDevelopment #AlabamaFFA #NorthwestRC&D
As part of our Building Communities Program of Activities for Citizenship, Marion County High School FFA members sponsored a Weather Radio Giveaway to help keep our community safe and informed. This effort was made possible through partnerships with Marion County EMA, Alabama Cooperative Extension System, Marion County Commissioner Larry Akers, the City of Guin, and Northwest Alabama RC&D.
Why does this matter? Because agriculture and severe weather preparedness go hand in hand. Protecting farms means protecting livestock, crops, property, and ultimately our food supply.
Our students also learned about disaster readiness involving animals through the LADDER (Local Approach to Discussion-Based Disaster Exercises and Readiness) program presented by Marion County Extension Director Carla Lewis. Intro to Animal & Dairy Science and Poultry Science classes explored how planning ahead helps farmers respond effectively during emergencies.
This is what FFA is all about:
Supporting agriculture
Building stronger communities
Promoting preparedness
Protecting animals and resources
Demonstrating citizenship through service
National FFA Week reminds us that FFA members are more than students. They are leaders, partners, and community builders.
Want to be more involved? Join FFA and be part of something that makes a real difference.
#NationalFFAWeek #FFA #BuildingCommunities #AgEducation #Citizenship #SevereWeatherPreparedness #FutureLeaders

