Shelby Shopper Shelby NC
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704-484-1047 www.shelbyinfo.com Our 39th Year • Issue No. 36 • September 8, 2022 "Cleveland County's Favorite Newspaper" ClevelandCountyFair.com 704-487-0651 (DVW0DULRQ6WUHHW6KHOE\1& Early-Bird Tickets til September 28th VICTORIA CIRCUS VICTORIA CIRCUS AckMonster's AckMonster's Custom Chainsaw Art LLC Custom Chainsaw Art LLC Sylvia Fletcher Sylvia Fletcher "Scan QR Code and Save Now" AMAZING MIDWAY FUN FOR ALL THE FAMILY SEPTEMBER 29 SEPTEMBER 29 th th - OCTOBER 9 - OCTOBER 9 th th N.C. TRACTOR & FARM SUPPLY 299 Railroad Ave., Rutherfordton • 828-288-0395 Mobile: 828-429-5008 • mf1dpshehan@gmail.com SALES • SERVICE • PARTS IF YOU BUY ANYWHERE ELSE YOU WILL PAY TOO MUCH! IF YOU BUY ANYWHERE ELSE YOU WILL PAY TOO MUCH! PROUDLY SERVING RUTHERFORD, CLEVELAND, GASTON, LINCOLN, POLK COUNTIES AS THE AREAS HOMETOWN MASSEY FERGUSON DEALER. Great Selection Great Selection Young Tucker Forrest loves the challenges farming presents Youngster has been "passionate" about farming since he was a toddler by MICHAEL E. POWELL Writer – CF Media michael@cfmedia.info Rising Crest Middle School 8th grad- er, Tucker Forrest has been into farming since he was, well, since he was very small, according to his mom and dad, Lyndi and Shannon Forrest. Forrest, 13, had his first time in a tractor seat at age 20 months, his mom noted, and "Tuck" (as he is known) was "…given his father's childhood tractors as a toddler and he fell in love with them, and 'carpet farmed' daily, which sparked his desire to farm." She continued, "He loves farming because of the challenges it presents. Every harvest, every year, every season will be different and brings new chal- lenges." Tucker's father, Shannon, noted he is, "…happy that Tucker has discovered his love for farming and knows his career path at such a young age!" His mom and dad added, "We have always said when Tucker was crazy about farm- ing as a toddler, we thought this was a phase, as many little boys go through these, whether it be dinosaurs, sharks, etc. We thought it would pass, but here we are, over a decade later! His passion is agriculture – farm machin- ery, crops, seeds, soil pH, har- vest. We are very proud of him and most proud of his work ethic and love for the Lord. We look forward to seeing what the future holds for him." Tucker, who "…enjoys being outdoors and would not like a desk job", said recently, "I would like to pursue a career in agriculture as a farm man- ager or agronomist. I enjoy soil sciences." His long-term goals are to attend college, being presently interested in NC State, and to major in Agronomy (study of soil sci- ences). Tucker's most prized pos- session is his golden retriever named Fendt (named after a tractor). Mom Lyndi noted "… they enjoy farming together, working the garden and taking daily UTV rides." Tucker has attended the National Farm Machinery Show in Louisville, KY, every year since age 5, she said, adding it is the highlight of his year. "His love of combines and farming shows in all he does," she said, adding that he constructed a Massey Ferguson (a favorite tractor brand of his) combine out of gingerbread winning third place in the children's class for the National Gingerbread Competition at the Grove Park Inn in Asheville, NC. He has been taught by his grandfa- ther how to operate the equipment on the farm (combines, tractors, planters, etc.) through the years and now operates them independently, noted his parents. Also, during the most recent planting season he planted approximately 250 acres of soybeans independently, and harvests and plants on a relative's farm (Foster Farms in Mocksville, NC). His favorite activity on the farm is harvest- ing corn; planting soybeans runs a close second. This true love for farming comes from his grandfather and goes back five generations. He has had a raised-bed garden in the back yard for eight years (since 2014); plants corn, See FARMING, Page 3 A very young Tucker Forrest posing in front of one of his favorite machines – a really big, bright red Massey-Ferguson tractor. Tucker Forrest at the NC FFA State Convention in Raleigh in June 2022. Tucker Forrest takes a little break from combin- ing a field. It's all part of the job for this young Future Farmer of America! Tucker's most prized possession is his golden retriever named Fendt (named after a tractor).