Alumni Profiles

John ParrisV.I.P.
John W. Parris ’58

Spring 2004

Agricultural education alumnus John Parris received the National FFA’s V.I.P. Award at the 75th National FFA Convention last fall. Parris is the S.C. director of public affairs for agricultural education in South Carolina.

Parris’ career includes teaching in Chester and Anderson, serving as associate director of the S.C. Soil and Water Conservation Commission and executive director of the S.C. Land Resources Commission.

Upon retiring from state government, Parris served as executive secretary of the S.C. FFA Association until being named to his current position, which includes representing the S.C. FFA Association, S.C. Young Farmer and Agribusiness Association, S.C. Agricultural Educators Association and FFA Alumni. He’s also editor of AGRIBIZ, the state’s agricultural education magazine.

Some of Parris’ other honors over the years include the Outstanding Professional Conservationist in the Nation by the National Conservation Districts Association, Man of the Year in S.C. Agriculture by Progressive Farmer magazine and Distinguished Centennial Agricultural Alumnus by Clemson.

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