For Clay Lawrence, agriculture has always been more than a way of life. It is a family tradition, a passion and a future he hopes to continue building right here at home.
Now a senior at Emanuel County Institute, Lawrence is serving as Georgia FFA State President and recently earned a national proficiency award through the National FFA Organization for his work in diversified agriculture production.
The son of Dr. Shannon Lawrence and Carol Lawrence, Clay grew up in a family where agriculture and FFA have always played an important role. His mother was also deeply involved in FFA, serving as Georgia FFA State President and later as a national FFA officer representing the Southern Region. Clay is now following in her footsteps as the second generation in his family to hold the state presidency.
His involvement in FFA began in sixth grade. Although he originally lived in Jackson County, his
family moved to Emanuel County between his seventh- and eighth-grade years. The move
introduced him to new opportunities, experiences and people who would help shape his future.
Clay is also following behind his sister Emma who was very involved in FFA and was crowned
Georgia Hereford Queen. She is currently a student at Abraham Baldwin Agriculture College. He
also has two brothers, Hoyt, an 8th grade student at ECI and Zeke, a 3rd grader at Twin City
Elementary. Both brothers can be found helping with the animals when they are not in school.
Over the years, Lawrence has taken part in a variety of FFA activities, including livestock judging, forestry, wildlife, natural resources, public speaking and other career and leadership development events. While he enjoys the many opportunities FFA provides, production agriculture has always been closest to his heart.
His national proficiency award recognizes his experience and work in diversified agriculture production, an area that includes several aspects of farming. Lawrence’s experience includes raising beef cattle, helping care for his grandparents’ hair sheep, working with hay and crops, and gaining experience through custom harvesting and other agricultural jobs.
He also owns and raises his own cattle, including animals he once showed and later kept to build his herd. Outside of his own operation, he has gained hands-on experience working for Meeks Farm and Nursery and other agricultural operations.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen a young person with the drive Clay has. He has a unique ability to accomplish things he sets his mind to. When he decides to do something, he goes above and beyond what is expected,” said Steve Meeks. “You rarely ask him to do something he doesn’t understand and if he doesn’t, he asks enough questions to completely understand it.”
For Lawrence, the award represents more than the work he has put into agriculture. It reflects the people who have helped him along the way.
“Hands down the people that have gotten me here,” Lawrence said. “It’s no number of cows. It’s no thing that I’ve ever done. It’s no tractor I’ve ever drove. That’s not it. It’s the people.”
That appreciation is rooted in something even greater for Lawrence: his faith.
He believes the people who have entered his life, the opportunities he has been given and the experiences that have shaped him are all part of a bigger plan.
“I firmly believe that the people that have been such blessings in my life wouldn’t have ever been there if the Lord hadn’t wanted it to happen,” Lawrence said. “My faith is the driving factor above it all.”
His faith influences the way he views his accomplishments, relationships and future. Rather than taking credit for the opportunities he has received, Lawrence recognizes the role God has played in bringing the right people into his life at the right time.
That support has come from his family, teachers, employers, mentors and the community around him.
Tori Pellerin, Lawrence’s agriculture teacher and FFA advisor at ECI, has worked with him since ninth grade. She said his dedication and work ethic have stood out throughout his time in the program.
“He has the best work ethic of anybody,” Pellerin said. “He is 100%. I mean, he’s genuine.”
Pellerin said she has encouraged Lawrence to take advantage of every opportunity available to him. She believes the leadership skills and agricultural experience he has gained through FFA will continue to serve him well beyond high school.
She also sees a bright future for him in agriculture, saying she can picture him returning home one day to establish his own business and build a life in the community.
Lawrence said the people who have supported him have made a lasting difference, especially those who encouraged him to step outside his comfort zone after moving to Emanuel County. Through new competitions, jobs and relationships, he discovered opportunities he may not have otherwise experienced.
The support of a small community has also played a major role in his journey.
“Being able to live in this small community and have all of this support that goes with it definitely helps spur me forward,” Lawrence said. “The way that community works together, the way that network comes together is just incredible.”
His recent national recognition has only strengthened that appreciation. After returning home, he said he had been met with congratulations and encouragement from people throughout the community.
Although Lawrence has accomplished a great deal through FFA, he is already looking toward what comes next. He plans to attend college in Georgia, where he hopes to study agribusiness and minor in animal science. Eventually, he wants to return to Emanuel County and build a future in agriculture.
More than anything, he hopes to raise a family and give his children the same kind of upbringing and community support that helped shape him.
“What I would really love to do is get to come back here and get to just raise my kids the way I was raised,” Lawrence said. “There’s nothing that beats what has happened here.”
For now, Lawrence is making the most of his final year at ECI, continuing to serve Georgia FFA and encouraging other students to get involved. His journey is a reminder that success in agriculture is not measured only by awards or accomplishments, but also by faith, hard work and the people who help make those achievements possible.
As he looks toward the future, Lawrence hopes to carry those same values with him, trusting that the Lord will continue to guide the path ahead.
