From regulation-sized cornhole boards to fireplace mantels, and even some electrical work, Zach Jenkins has a knack for building things.

The 15-year-old is the secretary of the local FFA chapter and, this summer, he’ll start his first job in construction. It’s fitting since he’s loved building things since he was a young child.

“There’s a construction company that he has met through his school,” Jenkins’ mother, Rose Allen, said. “They want to hire him when he turns 16, and that’ll be in April. That’s going to be a summer job that I’m going to let him try.”

“I met him through [Loyd Star Agriculture Academy] at school, he works with a construction company that goes around I guess five or six different states,” Jenkins said. “He builds like Dollar Generals and IHOPs and things like that. He said that he wanted me to come work with me.”

As a child, Allen said Jenkins had plenty of energy to go around. About seven years ago, he started making things.

“When he was 8, he built his first table,” Allen said. “It wasn’t until in the last few years that I realized that he really had a great ability. He’s good at it.”

Jenkins has also taken an interest in agriculture.

“He bought a calf with his own money a couple of years ago,” Allen said. “He paid for its food and raised it and he sold it. … I wouldn’t say it’s a farm. However, it would be if he had his way.”

Jenkins has been building things for years, and he said his knack at making things is probably due to his family’s influence.

“My uncle used to work on little things here and there,” Jenkins said. “My dad used to be a contract carpenter before I was born. I think having [them] talk to me about it got me in there.”

Jenkins said working with the Loyd Star Agriculture Academy has really helped him improve his craft.

“That’s where I learned to do the welding and making stuff out of metal,” he said. “The more that I mess with it, the more that I learn about it.”

Jenkins said he hopes to make a career out of carpentry or construction, and he is currently taking orders for custom designs from his Facebook page at facebook.com/zach.jenkinswoodworks.

The page is filled with photos of his handiwork — a cross made of horseshoes and complete fireplace mantels.