It’s 5:30 on a summer morning, and 17-year-old David Bryant is on his way out the door. What’s he doing? The answer is simple: working–and working hard–on his family’s farm.For most teenagers, 5:30 a.m. just means there’s at least another hour or two of sleep before it’s time to roll out of bed and head for the refrigerator. But David Bryant is not a typical teen. The senior at Jacksonville High School has been named FFA’s 2004 Alabama Agribusinessman of the Year, winning recognition for his accomplishments as a driven young man, as well as a $1,000 scholarship.It all began back in the seventh grade, when 12-year-old David needed to borrow $5,000 from the Farm Service Agency so he could buy 10 heifers to start his beef cattle herd. In order to get the loan, David needed to be a member of either 4-H or FFA, and decided to get involved with FFA since he had always heard that Jacksonville had a strong program. That initial $5,000 investment started David on his way, and the 27 cattle he now owns vouch for his maturity and responsibility. Those cattle–along with the cotton, soybeans, hay and corn he helps his family produce–are a big part of the reason he was named Agribusinessman of the Year.”I like to see the crops when we plant them, and I like to see them grow,” says David. The red-headed teen speaks matter-of-factly about his love for agriculture and the values that have helped him reach his goals. “I’ve gotten good ethics from my parents and my grandparents. They started teaching me at an early age, and it’s stayed with me ever since.”The strong support system that surrounds him has played an important role in David’s life. An only child, he and his parents, Keith and Diane Bryant, work to make their fourth-generation, 850-acre farm a success. Not only do they run their own operation, but they also own a construction business. In addition, David and Keith spend much of their time helping Keith’s parents, Johnny and Juanita Bryant, work on the 1,000-plus acres that Johnny farms.The pride that David’s family feels for him shines on their faces as they watch him work, cleaning tractor parts or running huge machinery.”When I found out about it [the award], it was a great honor to see him achieve such an accomplishment, not only for him but for me and my father also,” says Keith, who is a past president of the Calhoun County Farmers Federation. “Maybe we’ve influenced him enough in the right direction that we don’t have to worry about David…it’s impressive, and I’m really honored that he got that.”Ricky Whaley and Harold Lipscomb, David’s agriscience teachers and FFA advisors, are quick to point out his dedication and excellence with whatever he is involved in. “You don’t have to tell David what to do,” said Lipscomb. “His own personal ambition and drive get him to go on and do it.”Nowhere is this personal motivation more obvious than on the Bryant family farm. Waking up and starting his day before most people are even aware the sun has come out, David spends every summer day working on the land. Of course, when he’s not working hard, he knows how to play hard, too–David loves fishing, hunting, riding four-wheelers and the occasional game of paintball.”David is a perfect fit [for FFA],” Whaley said. “Even if he didn’t grow up on the farm he’d have been a great leader because of his leadership ability. Our goal is to develop kids as good citizens. David has the whole package.”David is not the only one receiving praise–Johnny says his grandson has been richly blessed to have men like Whaley and Lipscomb in his life. His praise for FFA in general and these two men in particular is broad. Johnny believes agriculture is the foundation of the United States and FFA helps America’s young people remember their roots. While he wishes FFA was available in every school, he’s glad “the top FFA in the state” is located in Jacksonville.”We’re all grateful,” Johnny says. “These two men are a great influence on what David’s accomplished and on what he’s become.”FFA has given David many opportunities to serve as a leader–from entering (and placing) in countless competitions to serving as the 2003 central district president for FFA. He’s made trips to Louisville, Ky., the Tennessee Aquarium, Berry College, Auburn University and other locations. And, even though he constantly stays busy, David has consistently kept his grades high. He has a 3.5 cumulative GPA and is a member of the National Honor Society.Many of the prizes and scholarships the FFA is able to distribute are due to the generosity of organizations like the Farmers Federation, said Whaley. “Alfa’s been good to FFA. They’re one of the biggest contributors of prize money for our kids,” he said.Although the 27 cattle David now owns are valued at approximately $14,000, money is far from being his top goal. “The people around me, my father, my grandparents and my faith in God [keep me accountable],” he said. “I want to do things right.”Harold Lipscomb agrees: “If David never earned another penny in his life, he’d be wealthy because of the family he comes from.”One day, David hopes to attend Auburn University, where he plans to earn an agricultural degree. For now, though, those 5:30 a.m. wake-up calls keep him more than busy attending to things on the farm.”Whatever needs to be done, that’s where he goes,” Johnny said of his grandson. “The human body is not designed to be idle…you’re supposed to earn your keep by the sweat of your brow. You’ve got to trust in God, do what you’ve got to do to make a living, be honest about it and don’t worry about whether you’ve got dollars in your pocket.”