Beech Tree News Network

What began as an announcement at the Thursday afternoon session of the annual Butler County Extension/Farm Bureau agricultural field day at Banock Lodge quickly turned into an inspiration during the dinner hour. Kent Moore, board member of the state FFA Foundation announced that William “Mr. Bill” Hampton, former agriculture educator at BCHS, who has recently passed away, was nominated to be part of the Ag Teachers Change Lives program.

“I have secured a space to honor Mr. Bill Hampton,” said Moore. A donation of $2,000 to the Foundation is a requirement, however, only $1,000 remains with the Foundation to help fund it’s programs. The other $1,000 plus any additional amount collected would stay with the Butler County FFA Alumni Chapter in a manner to be determined by the local chapter, according to Moore.

Extension agent Greg Drake challenged all present to raise the $2,000 before leaving that night. That they did. After returning from the field day demonstrations, Drake started the process of asking for pledges. Hands quickly shot up everywhere. In amounts ranging from $50 to $500 the goal was soon surpassed. When the total exceeded $3,000 for the night, which included a $60 bid for a decorated cake carrier, Drake stopped asking for pledges. Drake reminded everyone that there is no limit on the monies that could be given through the program which will find their way back to the Butler County FFA Alumni chapter in honor of Mr. Hampton.

The text of a handout reads as follows:

In 2009, the Kentucky FFA Foundation began the Ag Teachers Change Lives program. The program honors current or former agricultural educators, and this year Mr. Bill Hampton from the Butler County FFA has been nominated for this honor.

A $2,000 donation is required, and we are asking you if you would like to participate in honoring Mr. Hampton. Mr. Hampton’s family will be invited to a luncheon in his honor at the State FFA Convention, where his memory will be recognized on stage, and an 8x10 photo of him will be placed on display in the new dining hall at the Kentucky FFA Leadership Training Center.

As part of the program, $1,000 of the above mentioned donation will be given to the Butler County FFA chapter in honor of Mr. Hampton.

If you would like to help honor Mr. Bill Hampton, donations can be sent to:

Butler County High School
Attn: Leigh Ann Daugherty
1852 South Main Street
Morgantown, Ky. 42261

CHECKS SHOULD BE MADE OUT TO THE BUTLER COUNTY FFA ALUMNI

Any amount of money collected above and beyond the required $2,000 donation will remain with the Butler County FFA Alumni and be used to financially assist current and future Butler County FFA members in a manner to be determined by the Butler County FFA Alumni chapter.

Story and photos by Roger Southerland, Beech Tree News/WLBQ