Pherson receives highest FFA award

Dr. Carl Pherson

By Jodie Mocciaro
University Communications student news-intern

California State University, Fresno professor Dr. Carl Pherson will receive the “Honorary American Degree,” the highest award a non-member can receive from the national FFA organization, at its national convention on Oct. 29 in Louisville, Ky.

Honorees are chosen based on their interaction with and support for FFA and agricultural education in their state.

Pherson, who joined the university in 1972, is a professor of agricultural economics and director of Agricultural Operations. Since 1996, he has served as the Fresno State coordinator for the annual FFA state leadership conference. He supervises a conference support committee of 20 university student and faculty volunteers. Pherson oversees an educational career show and organizes industry tours held in conjunction with the conference.

Approximately 4,000 students attend the weekend of events making it Fresno’s biggest annual convention when measured in “hotel bed-nights.”

“It is because of this outstanding contribution that the State FFA offices nominated Dr. Pherson for the Honorary American FFA Degree and why the national FFA Board of Directors has deemed him worthy of this high honor,” said Charles Parker, assistant state FFA adviser.

Pherson plans to retire from Fresno State after this academic year.