The entry and success of 11 Jones County FFA and 4H students at the Georgia Junior Livestock Show earlier this year is the product of a relationship that has come full circle.
It would be hard to estimate the number of students Mark Smith has taught how to take care of and show calves during his 27 years as an agriculture teacher at Jones County High School. He thought those days were over when he retired at the end of the 2023 school year, but it appears that is not the case.
Southeast Site Services, an electrical contractor, was established in May 2006, and, according to its website, specializes in all aspects of site lighting, including new construction, expansions, renovations and utility duct bank installation.
The company is owned and operated by Jesse W. Annis of Jones County. Southeast Site Services is a leader in the site lighting industry, with the primary focus of airport lighting, specifically runway and taxi lighting installation and rehab.
The relationship between Annis and Smith started when Annis was a student at Jones County High School and became interested in showing calves. Smith was the instructor for the program.
Fast forward to 2022 when Annis, now a successful businessman, decided he would like to purchase a farm in Jones County and get into the cattle business. He remembered his former ag teacher and asked for his opinion of the property he was considering.
As it turned out, Smith was getting ready to retire from his teaching career, and Annis would need a farm manager. Both seem very happy with the arrangement despite the interesting change in roles.
The farm is named the Flying Double A. The double A reflects the initials of Annis’ daughter, Anna. The property was formerly the home of a dairy farm owned by Frank and Faye Hawkins.
During an April 18 interview with the owner and Smith on the porch with a scenic view of a lake on the property, they talked about improvements to the property and buildings. They also talked about raising Santa Gertrudis cattle and concentrating on premium genetics with the use of reproductive technologies, such asartificial insemination and embryo transfer, which is cutting edge for Jones County.
Smith recalled that, in the process of doing business, he found out from a supplier and mutual friend that there was a need for a sponsor for 4H and FFA Students who wanted to show cattle.
Annis decided that, with Smith’s help, he could be that sponsor. That was last summer, and in February, 11 of those students showed their heifers at the Georgia Junior Livestock Show in Perry.
Smith said 30 students came to the first meeting at the farm and were weeded out over time. He said, when the students meet their heifers, their first task is to break them to a halter. The students are responsible for feeding and watering their calf and keeping a detailed record of everything, including weight gained, feed to weight ratio and vaccinations.
Two of those students, who are FFA members and attend Gray Station Middle School, received first place for their heifers. A Facebook post by Gray Station Middle FFA celebrated the achievements of Blake Henry and Addison Willis.
Henry received first place with both of his heifers, Ruffles and Funyun, and won Santa Gertrudis Grand Champion with Funyun. Henry also won fourth overall in the state for his record book for the heifers.
Smith said Anna Annis won Reserve Champion for her heifer, Lizzie. He said Summer Jackson, Caleigha Beddingfield, Willis and Candace Lytle all placed top three in their classes.
“If it wasn’t for Jesse, they wouldn’t have that experience,” he said.
Jesse Annis said he is talking to other breeders in the area, hoping they will get involved. He said getting involved in agriculture in high school was integral in his development and steered him to his career path in the electrical field.
“Showing cattle taught me responsibility and work ethics. It’s had a lifelong impact,” he said.
The owner said working with the school is a no brainer for him.
“It’s a great partnership,” he said.
Annis said, because of the ag program, he was not afraid to tackle difficult tasks. He said he also worked for Clay Washburn while in high school, who was another important mentor.
He said he enjoyed watching the students develop and become successful.
“At the end of the year, they were walking around with 1,400-pound heifers with no intimidation. Their confidence was incredible,” he added. “We provide the animals, but the success was due to their hard work.
Smith agreed it was a successful first year.
“It was a huge learning curve,” he said.
Annis said the location of the farm, which is 15 miles from Gray, is a problem for some of the students. He said it would be ideal to have a facility that was centrally located.
Smith and Annis recently met with next year’s group of students.
The owner said this has come full circle for him.
“I didn’t realize how impactful it would be for me then,” he said, reflecting on his time as a student in the program.
The farm was a big investment for Annis and is a lot of hard work. Smith is in his element on the farm, and they are in constant conversation about coming improvements that include a sterile lab for embryo transfers and storage.
The goal is for the Flying Double A brand to be recognized as a leader in the premium genetics industry.
“Was this the most profitable way to utilize this property? I’ll let you know in a few years,” Annis commented.
