By Kendall Patterson
On Tuesday, June 11, The Tennessee FFA Star Tour kicked off in Henderson at Freed-Hardeman University. The Tennessee Star Tour recognizes the best of the best students in Tennessee FFA chapters.
Following the orientation at FHU, the Tennessee Star Farmer reception was then held at the Chester County High School cafeteria. It was held at CCHS in honor of Chester County’s own Will Kemp being named the 2024 Tennessee Star Farmer in March.
Kemp is being recognized for his 70-acre operation he had four years ago growing to a farm of 1,000 acres of beef cattle, forage crops and row crops.
Ryan Inman, the Tennessee FFA Director, shared his thoughts on Will’s project and achievement.
“I got to know him a little bit this year. Once I saw his project and what he did, I knew he was going to be an exceptional young man. I’ve been very impressed with Will. He’s built up an outstanding agricultural project. You don’t see a lot of students his age that build up a farm the size that he has. It’s something that’s really unheard of. It’s amazing and exciting.”
Kemp’s journey started when he transferred to CCHS his freshmen year. He committed his time to farming, joined the CCHS FFA chapter and served as the chapter’s Sentinel for all four years of high school. His goal was to be the Tennessee Star Farmer. In February 2024, he made the first step in accomplishing that goal by being named the West Tennessee Star Farmer, and he eventually achieved his goal in March 2024.
His mother, Ginger Kemp, stated she could not be prouder of his commitment to farming.
“I’m so excited will has accomplished his goal. He’s had this goal since ninth grade. He has worked hard toward it, and this is a complete joy of his. It makes me very proud that he’s so committed to promote agriculture in the community because we’ve always been an agriculture family. I grew up on a farm, and my family has always been really involved in Farm Bureau. We promoted agriculture across our community, so it really warms my heart to know that he shares the same interest that I was brought up in. We’re just so proud of him, what he stands for and I think he can accomplish whatever he sets his mind to.”
Ginger explained why Will enjoys teaching people about agriculture. “He loves to teach people about agriculture because he wants people to see the importance of it in their lives every day,” she said.
She is also excited that he is able to experience all that comes along with being the state Star Farmer, such as the Star Tour.
“I think it’s going to be a great four to five days for him to travel across Tennessee and get to see so much of the other parts of Tennessee and how the culture is in their part of the state. He’ll get to meet a lot of people he’ll probably remember and be affiliated with the rest of his life.”
Furthermore, City of Henderson Mayor Bobby King proclaimed the day of the Star Tour reception “Will Kemp Day” in the City of Henderson to recognize this achievement that no other Chester County student has ever obtained.
The proclamation reads:
“Whereas, Will Kemp was born April 22, 2005, had his first tractor ride on Mother’s Day, May 8, 2005, and grew up farming with his family, and
Whereas, Will attended Jackson Christian School, from kindergarten through eighth grade, then transferred to Chester County High School to be in agricultural classes and to be a part of Future Farmers of America (FFA) and was elected as FFA Sentinel from freshmen through senior years; and
Whereas, Will started farming for himself his freshmen year with a little land and working on a repayment plan. He said he wanted to be an FFA Star Farmer someday. He continued working hard and built his operation to 400 acres of row crop and 500 acres of hay today; and
Whereas, Will submitted his application for Regional FFA Star Farmer in January 2024 and was named West TN FFA Star Farmer in February 2024. He then competed at the state level in March 2024 during the FFA State Convention in Gatlinburg and was named the Tennessee FFA Star Farmer.
Now, therefore, be it proclaimed that the citizens of the City of Henderson recognize this young man’s accomplishments and I, Robert W. King, Mayor hereby proclaim June 11, 2024 as “Will Kemp Day” in the City of Henderson.”
Now a CCHS alum, Kemp will go to TCAT Crump for Precision Farming Technology.
Will is the son of Ginger and Brain Kemp, and his grandfathers are Wayne Kemp and Jimmy Stanford.
“The Star Awards are the most prestigious and historic in the FFA. These awards recognize students who excel in their Supervised Agricultural Experience projects. SAE projects are a requirement of every FFA member and take place outside of the classroom. The projects prepare students for their future careers. The Star Tour is a celebration of the five state star students. The tour is centered on Tennessee agriculture as students visit agribusinesses, meet key industry leaders, and showcase their superior agricultural projects. The tour is sponsored by Farm Credit Mid-America and presented by the Tennessee FFA Foundation.”
Chester County alum Will Kemp was able to join four other young farmers on the Tennessee Star Tour. Kemp earned the experience after being named the Tennessee Star Farmer in March. Pictured is Will Kemp holding his Tennessee Star Farmer Award.
Kemp speaks about his supervised agricultural experience project during the Tennessee Star Tour reception at Chester County High School.
Kemp, along with the other students recognized for their FFA Star awards, visited Bush Beans during the Star Tour and learned about the company’s 110 year history. Pictured left to right: Zowie Mae Hatcher – Star in Agribusiness, Daniel Austin – Star in Agricultural Placement, Caleb Pearson – Star Greenhand, T. Wayne Williams – Star in Agriscience and Will Kemp – Star Farmer.
