by Quentin Moter, Wyoming FFA 2nd Vice President
Over time, the National FFA Organization has left a lasting impact on its members and the agricultural industry. This organization could never change the lives of its many members without talented and dedicated agriculture educators such as Brian Coxbill, ag teacher at Laramie High School and advisor for the Snowy Range FFA.
Coxbill attended Wright high school where he found a passion for rodeo, his FFA Chapter, and spending time in the shop. His passion for agriculture, quality time in the shop, and the desire to give back to students what he experienced in the classroom led him to pursue his agriculture education degree through the University of Wyoming. Over his thirteen years of teaching (nine spent at Rock River and four spent in Laramie), Coxbill says that he finds the most enjoyment in getting kids into the shop.
Personally Coxbill has always been talented when it comes to agriculture mechanics, and he certainly has no trouble helping students find their talents. In thirteen years of teaching, he has helped five teams find their way to the National FFA Convention to compete in the national Agricultural Technology and Mechanical Systems CDE (Career Development Event). Though he has been successful in the shop, his talents extend far outside of the shop and this past year he coached an exceptionally talent group of livestock judgers who placed second at the National FFA Convention. This was a career highlight Coxbill said, and a trip to Europe with these students was just the cherry on top of such a successful year.
Over the next year, Coxbill expects agriculture to start buying into niche markets such as organic farming more than it has in the past. The main reason for this? Because these niche markets are rising in popularity and our industry will need to supply for that demand. No matter what the future of agriculture brings, he is sure he can look forward to another successful year. He has an “especially talented group of students” who he is very enthusiastically looking forward to a great year with, and has no doubt will help to carry out the success of the Snowy Range FFA Chapter.
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