Tyler Murray, 37
Agriculture Teacher, Farmer
Employer: Camden County High School, Satilla River Beef
Lives in: Woodbine
Professional responsibilities: Educator, FFA adviser, mentor, cattle producer
Accomplishments/Honors: Since 2016, I have enhanced the agriculture department at Camden County High School and increased Camden’s community following in many ways, including providing my own personal animals to supplement instruction and enrich the student experience, instituting the school’s meat judging team, and establishing the Camden County Livestock Show Team, which teaches students how to properly care for, raise, show and process various livestock, including pigs, sheep and goats.
Camden County High School Teacher of the Year, University of Georgia Teachers Block & Bridle Outstanding Staff Award, University of Georgia Cattlemen’s Association Advising Award
In addition to these personal accomplishments, I led our Future Farmers of America chapter to receive the Camden County Clean Up Blitz Award. I also mentored and coached livestock show students to earn numerous placements and earn their way to compete at the state level.
Community Involvement: Board Member for the Georgia Farm Bureau; established the annual Boots and Chutes Rodeo; actively lead many service projects annually as an FFA adviser, such as picking up trash in the community and removing a decaying boardwalk at Crooked River State Park; and provide guidance to community members when they have animal and/or agricultural questions.
Why did you go into your particular field? Growing up in the forestry industry and helping my grandfather with his cattle, I decided to pursue a career in agriculture by attending Abraham Baldwin Agriculture College and the University of Georgia. Once I earned my bachelor’s degree, I became a farm manager for the University of Georgia, managing their Double Bridges Beef and Sheep Unit. During this time, I also earned my master’s degree in animal science with an emphasis in beef production/meat science. It was my time teaching labs at Double Bridges that piqued my interest in teaching agriculture in my hometown and led me back to my alma mater in 2016.
As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? Veterinarian.
What was your first job? Besides working on my family’s farm as a kid, my first real job was working at Peeple’s Feed Supply, assisting customers and loading feed. These jobs fueled by passion to work in the agricultural industry.
What is the best advice you’ve ever received? Be patient.
What’s your favorite thing about your job? I am lucky to be able to teach a subject that I am passionate about and to share that passion with my students. Most kids do not understand that we are three generations removed from the farm and therefore do not realize where their food comes from. It’s gratifying to teach students about agriculture and inspire them to seek careers in the industry.
Who do you consider to be your greatest mentor and why? While I have had many important mentors in my life, two stand out. Carlos Jones Sr., my high school construction teacher and a CCHS legend, and Dr. Dean Pringle, one of my UGA animal science professors. Both men not only taught me a trade and too many life lessons to count, but most importantly, what it looked like to be a man of God, how to lead by example, and the importance an educator plays in a student’s life.
When you’re not at work, what do you do to relax? When I am not working in the classroom, you can find me traveling to various FFA events across the state, working on my cattle farm, or spending time with my family.
What is something about you that most people don’t know? Murphy’s Law should be called Murray’s Law.
How do you hope to grow in your career? I have every intention to continue giving back to my hometown and community. I will serve where I am needed and hope to lead and inspire all those that come into my path.
If you couldn’t do what you’re doing now, what would you be doing? I always joke with my wife that I can be a stay-at-home dad, but in all seriousness, I have always wanted to own and operate a meat processing plant.