Darrell Holden
Where Are They Now? | July 2025 | By Samantha Henderson
Meet Darrell Holden,
Former Tooele FFA member who says joining FFA “was the highlight of high school.”
Darrell joined the Tooele FFA Chapter in 1983. He joined because he was a ranch raised kid, and he loved agriculture.
During his time as an FFA member, Darrell competed on the livestock judging team, the range team, and the parliamentary procedure team. He was a member of a state winning livestock team and got to compete at nationals in Kansas City as a senior. Darrell says, “I loved all the judging competitions, and we had a great team of friends on all our teams.”
Darrell’s greatest influences in FFA were his advisors, Leland Beckstrom and Lynn Wyatt. He says, “They had such an impact on my life. They invested tons of time and energy into building an FFA program that made kids want to be part of agriculture. Both were great friends after I finished high school. I simply cannot imagine my life without the FFA program.”
Darrell is now an electrician, and he works in high voltage power for the Air Force. He also raises cattle and still ranches.
Darrell is a successful cowboy poet. He advocates for ranching and all of agriculture on every stage he gets to stand on. Darrell says, “I love this lifestyle and the traditions and heritage I get to contribute to.” You can find Darrell’s poem titled “I Believe” later in this article.
Darrell and his wife have raised two exceptional kids. FFA and 4-H were a huge part of their lives. Their daughter has worked as an extension agent in 4-H. Their son won state in Forestry and both kids won scholarships as Sterling Scholars for agriculture.
Darrell’s family supports the FFA program at Tintic High School were both his kids attended school. They help as often as they can. They also buy animals at the Tooele and Millard County Fairs to support the next generation of agriculturalists.
Darrell recommends joining FFA. He says, “Regardless of background or where you live, there is something for everyone. It’s the best school program for kids to learn responsibility, respect, hard work, teamwork and dedication. It will influence your life for good, even if you do not choose a career in agriculture. Long live FFA!”
“I Believe”
“I believe in the future of agriculture”,
That’s how the FFA creed starts out.
And I really do believe in it,
And here’s what my belief is about.
Only in ag, are you connected with the land,
The water, the livestock, and with God.
Farming is more than just planting the seeds,
Or turning over a new piece of sod.
It’s faith and it’s work and it’s struggle.
But it’s joy not found other ways.
It’s compassion for animals and its stewardship,
Along with the long hours and long days.
Its hand shakes and honor and keeping your word.
It’s caring less about self and much more about herd.
It’s about family still present, and generations long past.
Who’ve given us heritage and traditions, that will forever last.
And though the world, toward Hell, makes a rapid descent,
I’m humbled and proud to be part of the 1 1/2 percent,
Who do our best to feed the rest of you.
With our cattle and crops, doing things you can’t or won’t do.
And every time I attend another little county fair,
There’s optimism and hope you can feel in the air.
Because the future of ag is in very good hands,
There’s some dang good kids scattered across the farm lands.
So make sure you support and give plenty of praise,
To the next generation, cause it’s your food they’ll raise!
Darrell Ekker Holden 23’
