Taylor Barraclough established her business, Violet Sales, to breed, raise, and sell horses. She has grown operations from basic care into strategic breeding, investment, marketing and sales. Barraclough is a member of the Schuylerville FFA Chapter in New York, and her FFA advisor is Mary-Elizabeth Foote. Listen to the audio from the interview (Download).
Hayden Hubbard operates an operation with show pigs, show cattle and market steers. He has also diversified his production to include processed meat for consumers. Hubbard has gained an increased understanding of genetics, pedigrees, and performance data for livestock. He is a member of the Burns FFA Chapter in Wyoming, and his FFA advisor is William Luna. Listen to the audio from the interview (Download).
Kaleb James Ellis has multiple Supervised Agricultural Experiences including working on the family’s farm which operates with 500 row crop acres, 200 head of beef cattle and 200,000 broiler chickens. Ellis also raises and sells hogs as an entrepreneurship project, farms his own row crops, and works for an additional diversified farm. Ellis is a member of the Cochrane Fountain City FFA Chapter in Wisconsin and FFA advisors are Christine Jumbeck and Deanna Wiersgalla. Listen to the audio from the interview (Download).
Troy Homan works at his family’s dairy farm, which consists of 320 Holstein cows and 300 heifers. Homan has helped with the planning and construction of new projects to help improve the operation. Homan also conducts the operation’s herd health program by preventing and treating illnesses. Homan is a member of the New Bremen FFA Chapter in Ohio and his FFA advisor is Maria Homan. Listen to the audio from the interview (Download).
Cade Claycomb runs his dairy production business where he has a 42-head herd on 36 acres. With a focus on improved herd genetics in his operation, Claycomb markets around 9,400 pounds of milk each week. Claycomb is a member of the Trenton FFA Chapter in Missouri and his FFA advisors are Kabel Oaks and Sadie Roy. Listen to the audio from the interview (Download).
Cecillia LeaAnn Newby works for Newby Show Cattle and D/N Cattle Company. Newby performs vaccinations, chooses sires for breeding, administers growth implants, and assists with artificial insemination and embryo transfers, among other things. With 10 years of livestock judging, Newby is skilled in finding new replacement animals to incorporate into the herd. Newby is a member of the Labette County FFA Chapter in Kansas and her FFA advisors are Kyle Zwahlen, Dustin Wiley and Keith Geren. Listen to the audio from the interview (Download).
Raegan Gilbert maximizes production in her herd using embryo transfer synchronization, vet-developed vaccine protocol, meticulous record-keeping, and other strategies. Gilbert expanded her herd from 10 cows in 2019 to 21 registered Angus, Simmental, and Commercial cattle in 2023. Gilbert is a member of the Banks County FFA Chapter in Georgia and her FFA advisors are Kipp Jackson, and Christopher Crump. Listen to the audio from the interview (Download).
The Universal Technical Institute is providing female FFA members with opportunities to try something new.
2023-24 National FFA Secretary Grant Norfleet delivered his retiring address to FFA members and guests at Session 2 of the National FFA Convention and Expo. Click the player below to listen to his speech, "Life's Real Passengers." (Download)
Now in its third year, the annual FFA for All Experience helps members engage with each other and make FFA a welcoming place.
