Sumter County FFA Students Help Prepare Carter Gardens for Funeral Services

Published 8:54 pm Monday, January 6, 2025

Sumter County Middle School (SCMS) Future Farmers of America (FFA) officers visited Plains last week to help prepare for the funeral of Former President Jimmy Carter. Mr. Brinson Brock, SCMS FFA sponsor, and his FFA students have been regular supporters of maintenance and flower production for the Carter Family, the Rosalynn Carter Butterfly gardens, and areas operated by the National Park Service. Mr. Brock along with FFA members Jake Dutcher and Zach Price recently visited Plains to help freshen up the gardens. These students spent time with Ms. Annette Wise, President of the Rosalynn Carter Butterfly Trail program, helping to beautify yards and gardens across Plains for the influx of people from around the world. During their visit, Ms. Wise took the students into Apartment 9A, the housing unit where President Carter and his wife lived upon returning from his time in the Navy to raise their family. They were also escorted into the Carter estate to help prepare the gardens where President Carter will be laid to rest with his wife.

“The most memorable part of our visit was being able to go inside Apartment 9A to see where President Carter once lived and raised his family,” says Zach Price. “I am thankful to have had an opportunity to help freshen up the gardens and add something lovely to the upcoming tribute and funeral of President Carter.”