Anna Chaliff works in a greenhouse that raises ornamentals, vegetables, mums and herbs for selling. Chaliff’s job includes seeding and germination, growing and maintenance, fertilization and watering, and pest management. Chaliff also creates custom-arranged planters and makes plant recommendations for customers. Chaliff is a member of the Rockcastle County FFA Chapter in Kentucky, and her FFA advisors Harvey Mink and William Whitaker. Listen to the audio from the interview (Download).
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Cole Sundeen has a Supervised Agriculture Experience working for a landscaping company where he is responsible for planting and caring for plant specimens and installing them within clients' properties. Sundeen is also in charge of the lawn mowing crew as well as customer communication. He is a member of the Rockford FFA Chapter Minnesota and his FFA advisor Joe Ramstad. Listen to the audio from the interview (Download).
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Mason Nunn assists his father in working the wheat and corn crops on the family’s farm. In 2023, Nunn helped with the production of 510 acres of corn and 850 acres of wheat. Nunn prepares the fields, and plants, scouts for pests, fertilizes, and harvests the crops. Nunn is a member of the Morgan County High FFA Chapter in Georgia and his FFA advisors are Rachel Kinsaul and Briana Stoops. Listen to the audio from the interview (Download).
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Cade Stafford started his Supervised Agricultural Experience managing the farm’s hay crop under the supervision of his advisor. Stafford then began farming forage crops on his own in 2021 to produce high-quality, nutritious forage for livestock that is produced cost-effectively. In 2023, Stafford farmed 278 acres and sold 6,800 bales of hay. Stafford is a member of the Sutter FFA Chapter in California and his FFA advisors are Jake Wheeler, Kate Wilson, and Amanda Dowden. Listen to the audio from the interview (Download).
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Noah Thomas Wiley works on a farm consisting of 2,000 acres of highly productive crop ground that grows early soybeans as well as double-crop soybeans. Mowing, bean scouting, combine operation and maintenance, grain cart operation, and planting are just some of the duties Wiley performs. Wiley is a member the of the Labette County FFA Chapter in Kansas, and his FFA advisors are Rocky Becker, Dustin Wiley, and Kyle Zwahlen. Listen to the audio from the interview (Download).
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Ava S. Bullard began her Supervised Agricultural Experience by growing 10 types of flowers in beds around her family’s home and making bouquets. In three years, Bullard’s cut flower operation and sales had grown to cover more than 32,000 square feet and 20 kinds of flowers. To build a greenhouse for her business, Bullard exchanged labor on her family’s livestock farm for lumber. Bullard is a member of the Ashland FFA Chapter in Missouri, and her FFA advisors are Jeff Suthoff and Rebekah Hammett.
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Drevin Cory Wilkerson works for a diversified specialty and row crop operation that consists of 400 acres of peanuts, 300 acres of cotton, and 310 acres of produce. Wilkerson is also employed at a 625-acre carrot production operation. Wilkerson is a member of the Cook High FFA Chapter in Georgia and his FFA advisors are Brandon White, Ren Hester and Justin Watson. Listen to the audio from the interview (Download).
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Ryder Klaassen rents three farms and grows wheat, black-eyed peas, mung beans, and cotton in rotation. He has negotiated and held several contracts in domestic and global markets. Klaassen is a member of the Hydro-Eakly FFA Chapter in Oklahoma, and his FFA advisor is Chris Klaassen. Listen to the audio from the interview (Download).
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Alethea Dunn completed three research projects. Her projects have focused on increasing sustainability in the agricultural industry through hydroponic systems. Dunn has used her findings to educate her fellow students and other external FFA members outside of the chapter about sustainable and progressive agriculture practices. Dunn is a member of the Stewarts Creek FFA Chapter in Tennessee and her FFA advisors are Lindsey Nicholas and Mandy King. Listen to the audio from the interview (Download).
Keynote speaker Temple Grandin helped kick off the fourth general session of the 97th National FFA Convention and Expo, sharing her perspective on visual thinking Listen to her speech by clicking the player below (Download).
