Home of: Emory Willson

RONAN — When it comes down to it, agriculture is agriculture. That’s the way Emory Willson, Ronan High School’s new vocational agriculture teacher, looks at it anyway.

“Here you’re going to grow different things,” Willson said. “It’s going to be challenging learning what the agriculture is over here compared to over there.”

“Over there” for Willson is south central Montana, in the town of Shepherd where he attended school and grew up. The harsher plains of that area compared to the fertile soil of the Mission Valley make the change a learning experience for the 25-year-old, but one he is willing, and excited, to take on.

“This valley is full of agriculture,” Willson said. “There’s agriculture that exists here so it should be easy enough to get used to.”

Part of his responsibility as the vo-ag teacher will be acting as advisor for the Mission Valley Future Farmers of America (FFA) program, the high school equivalent of 4-H. Already a quality program in Lake County, Willson hopes to make FFA even more of a presence in the area.

“Every strong ag program usually has an FFA program that goes along with it,” Willson said. “The Ronan community wants the agriculture program to excel. It’s a huge ag community so they want it to flourish. Everybody I’ve talked to is great and real supportive. It’s been easy so far because of that.”

Willson’s plans go way above and beyond what anybody may expect, but he aims to raise the bar. Keeping the community involved is key, he said, and he’s beginning to meet and introduce himself to alumni, current officers and FFA members. Six officers make up the Mission Valley FFA Chapter, and despite having only started his position at the beginning of the month, Willson has made it a priority to meet and discuss issues, concerns and ideas with the officers, most entering their junior or senior year of high school. 

“Coming in blind, I’d obviously like to know all the kids,” Willson said. “But the officers seems like outstanding people and they’re real motivated to have a great FFA chapter.”

Luckily, Wilson has a bevy of experiences to rely on as he guides area youth both in the classroom and out. He grew up working on the Vermillion Ranch, where everything from livestock, hay and corn was raised, grown and tended. After spending two years at the University of Montana-Northern getting an agricultural technology degree, Willson headed to Bozeman for three years to earn his bachelor’s of science degree in agricultural education from Montana State University. A student-teaching stint in Miles City preceded his position on the Ronan faculty, his first full-time teaching appointment.

His experience as an FFAer in his younger days gives Willson the insight into what it takes to be successful.

“If kids show they’re putting forth the effort, we’ll take them to the contests,” he said. “Anyone who wants to put in the effort will be able to be competitive and represent their school.”

Contests occur all year long, on the state and national level. Livestock judging, agricultural mechanics and agronomy are some, while this year the FFA will hold their 83rd annual national convention in Indianapolis, Ind.

Of course, this time of year most of the kids are more concerned about the Lake County Fair, which they’ll compete at and happens to be just around the corner.

“The alumni fund it, but the kids put together the Buyer’s Dinner fair weekend,” Willson said. “They’re going to be extremely busy over the fair.”

Part of Willson’s duty as FFA advisor is providing a Supervised Agricultural Experience. Leading up to judging contests like the fair, Willson visits with the FFA youth, checks on their progress with their animals, takes pictures and documents hours, supplies and money the kids have put into their project.

While this can be a tall task, Willson has been pleased with the support the alumni and parents have given him, both as a newcomer to the area and as a teacher/FFA advisor.

“There are lots of people in the community I’ve talked to that have offered to help in any way they can,” he said. “I’m excited about this year and all that’s going into it. I want the community to know the FFA program is doing well, it’s sticking around and it’s going to be here.”