Kevon Garrett Elected North Carolina FFA State Vice President

MOUNT OLIVE – For most of his childhood, Kevon Garrett would not speak in front of a crowd. His parents, he says, had to beg him to stand and say a few words. This year he ran across a stage to accept one of the most visible leadership roles a young agriculturalist in the state can hold.

Garrett, a student in the Agricultural Education program at the University of Mount Olive, has been elected one of five North Carolina FFA State Vice Presidents. The role places him in service to the 48,000 FFA members across the state. He expects to graduate from UMO in 2029.

Garrett grew up in Grifton, North Carolina, where he has lived his whole life, and attended North Lenoir High School in La Grange. He is the youngest of four, with three older brothers, and the son of Dana Payton-Garrett and Tyrone Garrett. He is also a proud uncle to three nephews.

His path into agriculture runs back a generation further.Agriculture is an important part of Garrett’s family history. His great-grandfather was a tobacco farmer, and although Garrett describes himself as twice removed from the field, the industry was a constant presence at home.

"Though I am twice removed from the agricultural field, my parents always preached to me the importance of the agricultural industry," Garrett said.

The Garrett’s interest in agriculture did not take hold until high school. Encouraged by his parents to join a club, Garrett attended an FFA chapter meeting his sophomore year and enrolled in his first agriculture class, animal science, soon after.  

"By attending that meeting, I gained a deeper love and understanding for the agricultural industry and the National FFA Organization," Garrett said.

His high school advisors, Kimberly Jenkins and Molly Feezor, opened doors to the breadth of the industry. The mentor he credits most, though, is Sydney Whichard, the FFA officer who greeted him at that first meeting.  

"She leads with a servant heart and is one of the few people who have helped me to become who I am today," Garrett said.

At UMO, Garrett has served as an advocate for the House of Raeford Farms School of Agriculture and Biological Sciences, traveling the state to promote the University and deliver workshops to FFA chapters. That work took him to events such as the North Carolina Sweet Potato Commission annual meeting, where he said the Pledge of Allegiance on stage. He credits Lois G. Britt Agribusiness Center Assistant Director Sarah Johnson with making that opportunity possible.

"Her supportive words, prayers, and compassion are what made me feel seen and loved," Garrett said. "Because she gave me those opportunities, I was able to further grow myself as a leader."

“From the first time I met Kevon, it was clear that there was something special about him. He is bright, respectful, and has a way of lighting up a room wherever he goes,” Johnson said.  “What stands out most to me, though, is the way he interacts with others—he makes people feel valued, listened to, and welcomed. Kevon has always carried himself with maturity and genuine care for others that showed me he had the heart of a leader long before he was named an FFA officer. I am incredibly proud of him and excited to see the impact he will make in this new role.”

As the state officer selection process approached, the support widened. Johnson, Center Director Edward Olive, and Gerald Barlowe, an instructor in the School of Agriculture and Biological Sciences, arranged a mock interview to prepare Garrett weeks ahead of the real one. Barlowe, who teaches the Student Organization and Leadership course Garrett took, gave him new ways to think about leading as a student and a future educator.

When his name was called, the preparation gave way to relief and joy.

"In that moment, I was just in such awe," Garrett said. "The second I heard the 'k' pronounced in my name I jumped up and down with joy and peace in my heart and ran across that stage faster than I have in a while." Afterward, he could manage only one word. Grateful.

The congratulations followed quickly, and among them was a message from University President H. Edward Croom.

For Garrett, the honor is inseparable from service and from faith. He points to the FFA motto, "learning to do, doing to learn, earning to live, living to serve," and to that last line in particular.

"It means a chance for me to serve and be a part of something that is much bigger than me," Garrett said. "It means that I'm not that scared little kid anymore. It means that all that the devil meant for my bad, God turned it around for my good."

As a state vice president, Garrett will serve on the association's board of directors, visit businesses and industries, conduct chapter visits, take part in public speaking events, and represent North Carolina FFA locally, statewide, and nationally, including as a delegate to the National FFA Convention and Expo.

Ask him about the accomplishment he is proudest of, and he does not name the state office. He names something smaller. The Star Greenhand award, given to a student who stood out among those earning the Greenhand degree,, an honor he receivedwas bestowed upon Garrett at his first FFA banquet, went to the student who stood out among those earning the Greenhand degree..

"That may seem like a small accomplishment to some, but when I was given that award at my first FFA banquet, I felt in that moment like I had done something special," Garrett said. "I was simply proud of myself."

Four years ago, that stage would have been unthinkable. Garrett credits FFA with the difference.

"I went from a shy quiet kid, deathly afraid ofto public speaking, to someone who has confidence in himself and others," Garrett said.

Garrett plans to become a high school agriculture teacher. He believes the year ahead, building connections with students, industry partners, and fellow agriculture teachers, will prepare him for the classroom he hopes to lead. For now, his focus is on the members he will spend the year serving.

"I am here for you. I am here to root for you, help you explore new passions, and cultivate that leader inside of you," Garrett said. "In this organization there are so many possibilities for you to grow, and I want to help you in that way."

The University of Mount Olive is a private institution rooted in the liberal arts tradition with defining Christian values. The University was founded by the Convention of Original Free Will Baptists. For more information, visit www.umo.edu.