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Wayne FFA looks to excel under new Ag instructor

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Drew Hardaway is fresh out of OSU and brings high hopes and expectations with him. Hardaway joined Wayne Schools in January as the new Ag teacher.

The district has struggled with keeping this position filled over the past few years. Hardaway wants the community to know he is fully committed to his position.

“I want the community to know that I am 100 percent in the corner for your kids. I am excited to watch this FFA Chapter grow and see the students become AG-vocates for agriculture. Everyone in Wayne is ready for a successful FFA Chapter.”

Wayne Superintendent Toby Ringwald said he hopes Hardaway, “Brings consistency to our Ag program and through a long career at Wayne will make our FFA program one of the tops in the state.”

Hardaway is originally from Battiest, OK. He graduated from OSU and was a student teacher in Stratford before hiring into Wayne. He lives near Stratford now.

“My roots in agriculture run deep,” Hardaway reports.

He explained he grew up helping his family run a cattle and poultry operation while being involved in FFA himself.

“If you eat, you are involved in agriculture,” he said.

It is clear Hardaway has a passion for teaching students the importance of representing all aspects of agriculture in a positive light.

His goals include shaping leaders who advocate for agriculture and share their passion with others.

“FFA members in Oklahoma perform at a high level in competitions.” the new teacher said.

He plans to bring the Wayne FFA Chapter up to the level of other Oklahoma chapters.

Hardaway says there is a lot of potential with the students at Wayne. He plans to provide them with education and opportunities so they may rise to their potential.

“I am ready to put in the hours to get these kids ready for success,” he confirmed.

The Ag Communications and Conduct of Chapter Meetings Teams are two particular areas he plans to emphasize.

There is a lot of negativity directed towards farming and ranching today. Hardaway says these teams teach students how to effectively communicate the truth about farming and ranching.

“Misinformation plays on emotion, not facts,” he said.

He hopes students learn to share the truth about agriculture through, “Information and cold hard facts.”

Hardaway hopes to help students find a healthy balance between their time commitments to family, school, sports, FFA, and other activities they may have. He understands the pressure young people face today and wants his students to enjoy their time in FFA, not just power through it.

Superintendent Ringwald said, “Mr. Hardaway has brought passion and excitement into our FFA program. He actively promotes the leadership aspect of FFA and is tirelessly working with students to help them achieve all they can.”

Hardaway wants students to know that there is something for every area of interest in FFA and that there are opportunities for all students to be involved.

He has the support of his fiancé, Reagan Glass who will graduate from OSU in May with a degree in Ag Communications.

Hardaway said he plans to start a small cow/calf operation soon.

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