Farm Bureau staff awarded Honorary American FFA Degrees
LANSING, Oct. 28, 2010 - Michigan Farm Bureau (MFB) staff members Tom Nugent and Matt Smego were awarded Honorary American FFA Degrees at the 83rd National FFA Convention, held Oct. 20-23, in Indianapolis.
The Honorary American FFA Degree is FFA's highest honor, and is given to individuals "who advance agricultural education and FFA through outstanding personal commitment." Members of the National FFA board of directors selected the recipients.
"Without the efforts of highly dedicated individuals, thousands of young people would not be able to achieve success that, in turn, contributes directly to the overall well being of the nation," said the National FFA organization in a statement. "The Honorary American FFA Degree is an opportunity to recognize those who have gone beyond the valuable daily contributions to make an extraordinary long-term difference in the lives of students, inspiring confidence in a new generation of agriculturists."
Nugent is director of the MFB Field Operations Division. He resides in Clarksville with his wife Kathy and two sons, Connor and Keegan. He is originally from Lowell where he was a member of the Lowell FFA Chapter. As a student, Nugent served as the state FFA vice president from 1988-89, and competed in leadership and skills contests.
Today, Nugent continues to work with the FFA by assisting with leadership development contests and judging events at the local and state levels. In addition, his division of MFB, along with the Michigan FFA Alumni, annually sponsors a trip for high school administrators and school board members to the National FFA Convention to give them a national perspective on the youth organization and strengthen their support for their local chapter.
Smego is a legislative counsel with MFB's State Governmental Affairs Department. He resides in Grand Ledge with his wife Holly and two children, Shelby and George. He is originally from Cassopolis where he was as a member of the Cassopolis FFA chapter. As a student, Smego represented the Michigan FFA as a national officer candidate in 1996. He also served as the state vice president from 1994-95. Smego received the state FFA degree in 1994 and the American FFA degree in 1995. He also participated in state and national leadership events.
Smego remains involved in FFA as an active FFA alumni member and former administrative director of the Michigan FFA Alumni. He also volunteers as a judge for FFA leadership events.
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Contact: Tom Nugent can be reached at (800) 292-2680, ext. 6587, and Matt Smego at (800) 292-2680, ext. 2044
