ATLANTA, MO -- Meet 17-year-old Ashton Ross of Atlanta. Agriculture has played a major role in her life due to her dad and grandpa’s strong background in the cattle farming business. She has been raising cattle since she was only 7 years old.
"I enjoy being around cattle. They are always there. I feed them. You make sure they have a calf, if not you sell them. They are pretty gentle," Ross said.
Ashton is the President of the Atlanta FFA Chapter. She has shown her cows at the Macon County Fair and has won awards such as Champion, Showmanship, and Reserve Overall.
Ashton said showing her cattle is her favorite thing to do with them.
"Showing cattle is a really fun project. It's really good. I think everyone should do it to get experience at least once," Ross said.
But behind all that recognition, Ashton said there is a lot of responsibility and hard work to take care of her cattle.
"After school, I have chores to do. It's a long process. If it doesn't get done, then you could lose money or the cattle dies if they are not taken care of," Ross said.
Ashton is planning to continue working in agriculture and says it what makes America so great.
"We use it all the time for food, water, shelter. You have to have it. It's a necessity. It teaches you responsibility and makes you a better person," Ross said.
When she is not out on the farm with her cows, Ashton enjoys fishing or hunting. She also likes to play softball and basketball.
She is planning to attend college and wants to become an event or wedding planner.
Congratulations Ashton on being this week's Ag Kid.
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