Hancock Public School is proud to announce on behalf of the Minnesota FFA Alumni Association; our own Mr. Wes Anderson was inducted into the Minnesota FFA Hall of Fame on March 6th. Inductees are selected by a committee consisting of FFA members, alumni, agricultural educators and foundation representatives, looking for individuals who have been influential and supportive of Minnesota FFA and who have demonstrated a high level of service and longstanding commitment to agriculture, agribusiness, and/or education in agriculture. Mr. Anderson in his 38 years of teaching as achieved all of these requirements and much more. A representative from the Minnesota FFA Alumni Association presented Mr. Anderson with this award in the shop on April 22nd.
“Back in 1978 I knew I wanted to be an Ag teacher,” said Anderson. “Thought maybe 10 years I’d find out something better to do.” Anderson earned his Ag Education and Ag Economics degrees and began his teaching career in Webster, SD in 1983 before moving to Appleton in 1985 where he taught at until beginning teaching at Lac qui Parle Valley from 1990 to 2017. Mr. Anderson joined us here in Hancock as our Ag teacher and head of FFA in 2017. “Its been an awesome profession,” said Mr. Anderson. “It’s fun to see the light bulb go on and it’s fun to help kids make career choices.” Over the course of his 35 plus years teaching, he as served on the State FFA Adult Leadership Board, served as a region advisor, and also was recognized as a national teacher mentor from NAAE. Wes also coordinates transportation for 150-200 Minnesota FFA members to attend the National Convention every year. Mr. Anderson has put his life into his work, and it shows with how his students have prospered. One example of this is a very special occasion for a student, Joseph Arnold, who won the 2017 American Star Farmer award. That is something that doesn’t happen in most FFA leaders career.
He is proud of the success his students continue to achieve, and those around him are proud to have met him. When asked his thoughts on being inducted, in all Mr. Anderson fashion, he responded, “I’m just humbled, I don’t know how to….I don’t deserve this, it’s just a privilege.”
Mr. Anderson, thank you for not only what you do for our FFA students but thank you for your commitment, service and dedication to every student, staff member and community member here at Hancock. You are a mentor in our school, community, region, state and nation and a positive role model that helps our students achieve their true potential!
