Shelby Langford

       My names is Shelby Langford, I'm a sophomore at Gaither in the top 2% of my class. I play soccer for both club and high school. I've been playing soccer for almost 8 years. I'm part of marine biology club, science club, 4-h and FFA. Agriculture has been a big part of my life clubs like FFA and 4-h have facilitated my growth as a students, expanding my skills knowledge and love for agriculture. This is my first year in 4-h and I'm looking forward to the opportunities I will get to experiance. This year is my 2nd year in FFA throughout my time of being in FFA I've learned many skills like communications, animal husbandry, swine nutrition, biosecurity,money management, leadership skills and so much more. I can’t wait for the upcoming years and what my future in agriculture holds for me!

       From a young age I've always had a connection to the outdoors from going to Learning Gate Community School, a nature based school. At my school I learned about things in the garden, enviormental problems, native Florida nature, and many more things.

       In 2018 I was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes this would take a toll on the rest of my life but open doors that I would've never thought to open throughout my life. With having diabetes I became very cautious of the foods I ate to manage my blood sugar. This lead me to start eating healthier, with that I decided to start a garden. Being able to grow some of the foods I ate I thought was such a cool thing. 

       In 6th grade I sis an online agriculture class on FLVS. Through the class I learned important aspects of agriculture and what FFA was. Once I found out I could have a cow through FFA I was hooked. my mom was able to get in contact with Nicole Rice my now Ag teacher. She  more than welcomeing about having us on the Land Lab in the back of Gaither to meet some animals and teach a little. The Summer before my freshman year me and my family were planning on getting showing the chapter heifer (girl cow that has not given birth). I was so excited to fulfill my life long dream of having a cow although the cow had unexpectedly died. Ms.Rice my Ag teacher had another chapter animal; a pig! Instead of the cow I would show our chapter pig at the Hillsborough County Fair. From then to now I have had 4 pigs and have loved every day of raising them and improving my skills.