Trent Thomas of Goshen High School and Alisa Kay Culpepper of Pike County High School were recognized for their outstanding accomplishments in FFA at the Pike County Agriscience Academy’s FFA banquet Tuesday night at the Old Barn Restaurant in Goshen.

Thomas is a 4-H and FFA member and president of the FFA at Goshen High School. He is a member of the Pike County 4-H Cattle club.

Culpepper is a member of the 4-H and FFA at PCHS.

About 100 people attended the banquet that recognized students who are interested in different areas of agriculture and as possible career choices.

During the 2015-2016 school year, a partnership developed among Cody Eiland, Agriscience instructor and FFA advisor; Jamie Rich, Agriscience facilitator and FFA advisor; and Emily Rolling, Pike County 4-H foundation agent.

Together, they are working to generate and increase student interest in agriculture and its related fields.

“FFA and 4-H are strong connections to the agriculture industry and real world applications,” Rich said. “The 4-H program grabs students’ interest in elementary school while FFA begins in middle school. If the programs work together, we can begin training students for potential careers in agriculture and building leadership skills at an early age.”

Rolling said the comradeship between 4-H agents and FFA advisors reaches back many years.

“I believe it’s essential that Mrs. Rich, Mr. Eiland and I keep that alliance strong in Pike County to benefit the future of agriculture,” she said. “FFA and 4-H basically share many of the same common goals of acceptance and youth leadership. We look forward to teaming up again as soon as the new school year starts back in August.”