Smith, FFA to lead Naylor Heritage Day parade

Roger Smith, Naylor R-II Ag Educator/shop and small engine mechanics instructor, equips his students to be future farmers while also teaching them other employable skills. Above, he and student Ethan Tyra plan an engraving project.

As Naylor celebrates both its heritage and its farmers Saturday, Oct. 7, R-II Ag Educator Roger Smith and the members of the Future Farmers of America will lead the traditional parade.

Floats and fanfare for the Oct. 7 Heritage Days in Naylor will depict the theme, “A Salute to Farmers.”

The procession will begin at 10 a.m., and will wind its way from the staging area at the Naylor High School baseball field along the length of Broad Street.

Smith relaxes during a meeting with Naylor FFA officers. Pictured in the front, from left are Chloe Smith, reporter; Instructor Smith and Ali Bedoy, vice president. Standing are Dylan Moore, secretary; Luke Rose, historian; Bryce Spargo, treasurer; Jason Scaturo, sentinel; and Ethan Tyra, president.

Smith says although he was surprised at being selected as parade marshal, he is proud to represent area farmers and also to share a float with the FFA.

As an ag teacher, he is able to combine both his love of farming and his love of teaching.

Smith grew up on a farm in Auxvasse, in central Missouri.

“We raised cattle and chickens, mostly, and I also helped my Uncle Jim Donaldson on his farm,” he says.

He graduated from North Callaway High School in 1983 and got a degree in auto diesel technology. His first job was with a trucking company.

Soon he was farming again.

“But, some farm hands don’t have retirement plans,” he says.

Ultimately Smith decided to pursue a degree in agriculture education. While in college he continued to help out his uncle during planting and wheat harvests, and got his degree from Missouri State University in 1994.

Smith’s first teaching job was at a school in Bloomfield, and he also taught at Cape Central before landing the job at Naylor R-II.

He admits, “Small town life appeals to me, and I prefer teaching in smaller schools. City kids have a completely different mentality. I like that the students I teach would rather be outside doing things.”

He says, “These kids are the future of farming. They need the background and tools they can get from the ag program.”

In addition to ag education Smith also teaches shop classes and small engine mechanics.

They do custom jobs such as making parts for farmers, and they design and produce custom orders for signs, plaques and other projects.

“We’ve even designed and built the plaques and awards for the school district,” says Smith. Proceeds from their projects help fund ag activities.

In shop the students learn to weld, use a laser and plasma table, all skills which can be useful in industrial settings.

They are able to engrave on any material and cut anything other than steel.

“These skills just make the students more employable. For instance, one of my graduates from last year is working at Briggs & Stratton, running their plasma table,” he says.

As a member of the Naylor community, Smith also teaches his students the importance of service.

Each month the students help the Naylor Senior Center unload supplies, and they participate in various projects such as cleaning and striping the streets, and setting up for Heritage Day.

A single dad, Smith has two sons, Denny, 24, who is a deputy sheriff for Butler County, and Daniel, 20, who is a full-time welder for Steward Steel in Sikeston.