Something to Think About
Don Michael, WVFB Director of Governmental Affairs
Congratulations to Tyler
County Farm Bureau member
James E. Ash on his recent
recognition as the 2014 recipient
of the Layle D. Lawrence
Honorary Mountaineer
Lifetime Achievement Award.
The honor was bestowed by
WVU’s Mountaineer Collegiate
FFA during the recent State
FFA Convention at Cedar Lakes. Jim completed his
Bachelors and Masters degrees in Agricultural Education
at West Virginia University. He served a two-year stint
with the U.S. Army and brief period in the steel industry
before launching his teaching career in Vocational
Agriculture* in 1958 at Tyler County High School.
(*Name changed to Agricultural Education in 1989.)
Mr. Ash labored tirelessly, with 12-hour plus days being
the norm, to create high quality instructional experiences
for his students, including traveling tens of thousands
of miles on the local, regional, state and national levels
to afford his students premier career development
opportunities through Agricultural Education and FFA.
Mr. Ash was extremely active with his professional
education organizations, including Life Membership
in the National Vo-Ag Teachers’ Association and
the American Vocational Association. He served in
numerous leadership capacities on the state level –
President of the WV Vo-Ag Teachers’ Association,
President of the WV Vocational Association, many terms
in leadership positions on the Vo-Ag Program and Policy
Committee and State FFA Advisory Committee . . . and
the list goes on. He was not the shy, spectator-type, but
a real “Git-R-Done” gent who stood tall in the crowd
in promoting professionalism and comradery among
agriculture teachers. Mr. Ash retired in 1989 after a
distinguished career impacting secondary students and
adults that can best be summarized with three words –
commitment, professionalism and success!
I have often noted that James Ash is one of those
“gifts that keeps on giving” to Agricultural Education
and FFA. In retirement he continues to be actively
engaged in agriculture while promoting our agriculture
industry and the educational program supporting
it. Jim serves as Vice President of the West Virginia
FFA Foundation, a position he has held for nearly four
decades. His personal investment of time, talent and
resources has helped result in the Foundation achieving
its initial investment goal of $562,652.40, the interest of
which is utilized to provide scholarships and awards for
FFA members. Mr. Ash and his late wife,Thelma, have
personally contributed nearly $30,000 to the Foundation
. . . a powerful commitment to opening doors to
opportunity for those young men and women in the blue
and gold jackets.
Speaking of blue and gold jackets, two WV Farm
Bureau members will be among numerous VIPs
showcased as 50,000+ FFA members and guests
journey to Louisville, Kentucky for the 87th National
FFA Convention, October 29 – November 1, 2014.
Tom McConnell, Preston County FB, and Roger
Nestor, Barbour County FB will receive the Honorary
America FFA Degree for their exceptional service to
agriculture and youth development – Our congrats to
Tom and Roger.
In case you missed it, Ritchie County FB members
Richard and Martha Hartley were featured as food
historians in the August 27, 2014 issue of The Charleston
Gazette – “FRONTIER EATING . . . From pioneer log
cabins to the Blennerhassett Mansion.” In appropriate
era dress “Dick” and Martha shared their passion and
knowledge of food practices and customs from the
past as a part of special activities held August 30 at the
Mansion at Blennerhassett Island Historical State Park.
The Hartleys recently published a book focusing on
foodways history and heritage – “The Frontier Table: A
Treatise & Source Book on Western Virginia Foodways
History 1776-1860.” For details check their website:
www.wvhearthcook.com. Congrats to “Dick” and
Martha. It is always great to see Farm Bureau members
in the news.
Discussions continue to take place regarding the
Aboveground Storage Tank Act, as well as member and
industry needs relative to oil a