Nick Plott, Tripp Bowden (son of Tampa Electric’s Teena Simpson and Carl Bowden) and President & CEO Archie Collins at the Central Florida Youth in Agriculture Showcase & Sale March 25. Tripp sold a hog he raised – and he’s not the only one!
Going once, going twice…bright future sold to the dedicated child who earned it!
Welcome to the Tampa Bay area youth livestock auction circuit, brought to you in part by Tampa Electric. It’s an exciting scene of shouts and cheers under bright lights, clanging bells, slapping gavels, the musky smell of clean and cared-for livestock – and the children who raised the animals, all bathing in the crowd’s admiration.
County fairs and livestock auctions are age-old traditions, evoking sepia-toned images of ranching to benefit society from the days before modern technology. Well into the 21st century, they’re as important as ever, and Tampa Electric is helping ensure they power the community now and into the future by investing in some of their youngest participants. This includes purchasing livestock the children raised and brought to market. Sometimes the children work with their school 4-H clubs and Future Farmers of America (FFA) to care for the animals; in all cases it’s great dedication that helps them succeed.
“These students learn firsthand at an early age what it takes to accomplish their goals,” said Plumber II Wesley Thompson. “They wake up early and take care of their animals, usually steers or hogs, before school. When they get home they walk, brush, feed and wash their animals all while maintaining their academic and sports schedules. Feed and supplies for these animals are at the expense of the exhibitor. All animal medical care if needed is also at the expense of the exhibitor.”
Three years after Tampa Electric sponsored the inaugural Central Florida Youth in Agriculture (CFYIA) Showcase & Sale in Polk County, team members and their children were back on March 25, joined by President and CEO Archie Collins and External Affairs Regional Manager Nick Plott, who did a lot of work behind the scenes to connect dots between his company and the community.
Wesley helped nurture this effort – which also unfolds at the Polk, Pasco and Hillsborough County fairs – by reaching out to Archie last year.
“I felt like we were missing an opportunity to really make an impact in the lives of the children raising livestock at these events,” said Wesley, who brought hogs to auction when he was eight. “Archie and I had a great conversation and decided to move forward with the plan to purchase some animals.”
You could say Tampa Electric and its team members took the bull by the horns at that point – or maybe more accurately, they handed the reins to the next generation. Among them is 13-year-old Tripp Bowden, son of Distribution Design Technician II Teena Simpson and ED Materials Design Specialist Carl Bowden.
“Agriculture is a huge passion of mine, and I’m very thankful for the support of TECO as well as many others in the community to be able to spend time doing what I love and strengthening the relationship with my son,” she said. “Agriculture in general teaches our child so much, but the responsibility of taking care of another life is so much more. They learn the consequences of their actions quickly if they make a mistake; they also learn other valuable lessons. The positive takeaways of responsibility as well as networking, friendships and adopted family members are immeasurable.”
Lineworker Luke Fountain shared Teena’s enthusiasm.
“The sense of pride in the kids when they see the results of all their hard work – it’s like wow,” he said.
Manager of Customer Research & Intelligence Kristopher Browning highlighted another aspect of how young participants benefit: “The awards for showmanship help the kids learn how to present themselves, and how to handle the challenge of not winning.”
Awards aside, it’s hard to see how everyone involved – from Tampa Electric to customers in communities we proudly serve – doesn’t win with youth livestock auctions. Charites like Feeding Tampa Bay win as well as they count on projects like these to help fight food insecurity in our community.
“Many of the children who take part in the livestock auction process will go on to college or trade schools and receive a degree/license in a multitude of careers,” Wesley said. “They are the future face of TECO. Regardless of their chosen path, in the future they are the backbone of this country. It’s our duty to invest in the youth as much as possible.”
As Tampa Electric continues to do just that, tomorrow’s team members and leaders have a lot of praises to sing for a company that cares about them and the community alike. Move ’em on, head ‘em up – let’s hear it for hard work, raw determination and pride.
Wesley with future entrepreneurs – ranchers, business experts, you name it – Mattie Fountain, left, and Rylee Fountain, son of Luke Fountain. Wesley Thompson and his son Cason, who also sold a hog he raised.
