A Brentsville District High School senior is breaking new ground in the agriculture community. Hunter Ringer, 18, is the first high school student in the country to lead a county Farm Bureau committee.
Ringer was recently chosen to chair the Prince William–Fairfax Farm Bureau Young Farmers Committee. The position typically goes to older members of the organization. But local Farm Bureau leaders believed Ringer’s leadership and commitment to agriculture made him a strong candidate.
He also serves as president of the school’s Future Farmers of America (FFA) chapter.
“It puts a lot of weight on your shoulders,” says Ringer. “Being the first, people expect a lot from you.”
Stephanie Cornnell, president of the Prince William–Fairfax Farm Bureau, first suggested the idea after seeing Ringer’s involvement in agriculture programs and community events. Because he is still a high school student, the appointment required approval from several organizations, including the Virginia Farm Bureau, the American Farm Bureau Federation and the Virginia FFA.
Amy Beard, an agriculture teacher at Brentsville and adviser for the school’s FFA chapter, says the request was unprecedented.
“For him to be 18 and still in high school — it’s unbelievable,” Beard says. “This just doesn’t happen.”
After getting the green light, Ringer joined the Farm Bureau as a producer member. This designation is reserved for active farmers and a requirement for serving on the board. A vote took place during the organization’s annual meeting last August.
A Life Rooted in Agriculture
Agriculture has been a part of Ringer’s life for as long as he can remember. He spent time growing up on his grandfather’s cattle farm in Nokesville, where he first developed an appreciation for farming.
“I’ve been around the production side of cattle my whole life,” he says. “That really inspired me.”
His involvement in FFA began somewhat unexpectedly. As a freshman, Ringer served as an alternate in the crosscut saw competition during the Forestry Field Day event at the Virginia State Fair.
“At first, I didn’t really want to be involved,” he says. “But once I saw the opportunities it gave me, I started stepping up and taking on leadership roles.”
Over time, he became more engaged in the organization, eventually rising to lead the Brentsville FFA chapter as its president. Beard said his leadership didn’t emerge overnight.
“As a freshman, he was hesitant,” she says. “But once he started trying new things, that leadership really began to come out.”
An Opportunity to Educate
As chair of the Young Farmers Committee, Ringer helps guide programs designed to support agricultural education, community outreach and future farming initiatives in the region.
He sees the role as an opportunity to encourage more young people to explore agriculture, especially in Prince William County, where development continues to reshape the landscape.
“My goal is keep agriculture alive in Prince William, because right now we’re losing farmland left or right through data centers, retail centers, and housing developments,” he says.
After graduating, Ringer plans to attend Huntington University, where he will study agricultural education. He hopes to earn a bachelor’s degree in animal science before pursuing a master’s degree in education. Ultimately, he would like to return to the classroom as an agriculture teacher.
“I want to be able to teach and help the next generation,” he says.
For Beard, who has known Ringer since he was small, watching that journey unfold has been especially meaningful. “I am unbelievably proud of him,” she says. “He’s grown into an incredible leader, and I can’t wait to see what he does next.”
Feature image courtesy Prince William County Public Schools
