Pender high school agriculture teacher receives prestigious state FFA honor
PENDER COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — A longtime Pender High School agriculture teacher has been recognized with one of the highest honors awarded by the North Carolina FFA Association.
Mr. Tom Herren, who has spent the past 20 years teaching agricultural education at Pender High School, recently received the North Carolina FFA Honorary State Degree. The award recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to agricultural education and the success of FFA members across the state.
Herren was selected for the honor because of his commitment to student development, agricultural education, leadership training, and his continued support of the FFA organization.
Throughout his two decades at Pender High School, Herren has helped students gain hands-on agricultural experience while developing leadership, communication, and career-readiness skills through classroom instruction and participation in FFA competitions. Under his guidance, students have consistently found success at both regional and state-level FFA events.
In addition to his work in the classroom, Herren has played a key role in expanding opportunities for students through grant funding. Over the years, he has secured several Program Area Improvement Grants to enhance agricultural education programs at the school.
One of his most notable achievements came in 2024 when he obtained funding to establish an on-campus farm at Pender High School. The project provides students with valuable hands-on learning experiences and is expected to continue growing in the coming years.
Beyond the school campus, Herren remains active in agricultural education and youth mentorship. He serves as a mentor through the local 4-H program, helping students develop dairy cattle handling and management skills. His passion for agriculture also extends to the dairy industry, where he participates in dairy cattle breeding competitions in Ohio.
Herren maintains livestock on his family farm in Ohio and returns annually to continue the farming traditions that inspired his lifelong dedication to agriculture.
“For generations of students, Mr. Herren has been more than a teacher — he has been a mentor, advocate and role model,” Pender High School Principal Nick Paquette said. “His dedication to agricultural education, student success and the FFA organization has left a lasting mark on Pender High School and the surrounding community.”
Pender County Schools officials congratulated Herren on receiving the Honorary State FFA Degree and thanked him for his years of service, leadership and commitment to agricultural education.
The North Carolina FFA Honorary State Degree is awarded to individuals who have demonstrated outstanding support for agricultural education and made meaningful contributions to the success of FFA students and programs across the state.
