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Joseph Arnold is the 2017 American Star Farmer

INDIANAPOLIS – Growing up on the family farm, Joseph Arnold of Holloway, Minn., knew early on that he wanted to pursue a career in agriculture. When Arnold joined FFA and began learning even more about the industry through classes, he realized working on the farm would be perfect for his supervised agricultural experience (SAE). In the process, Arnold discovered he needed to diversify his crops to sustain his operation. As part of his process, he invested in shares of stock in the Southern Minnesota Beet Sugar Cooperative. He then researched the possibility of growing additional varieties of beans and other produce. As a result, today his operation yields corn, soybeans, navy beans, kidney beans and sugar beets. For the past four years, Arnold has farmed and controlled every aspect of the production and marketing of his crops. He also strives to learn new ways to improve his operation. This persistence and drive have earned him the honor of being named a 2017 finalist for American Star Farmer. “In high school I learned a bit about the business [...]

By FFA New Horizons|2019-02-11T15:56:25-05:00October 26th, 2017|Categories: 90th National FFA Convention, American Star Awards, FFA New Horizons, The Feed, Top|Tags: American Star Awards, convention, diversified crops, minnesota ffa, Star Farmer|

Ohio’s Chrysta Beck Named 2017 American Star in Agriscience

INDIANAPOLIS – Since third grade, Chrysta Beck of Archbold, Ohio, has raised broilers and layers to sell meat and egg products to local customers. As she got older and joined FFA, she developed a supervised agricultural experience (SAE) that would look into the health of poultry. But what started as research to assist her with personal production goals soon developed into a project with a vastly larger scope. It focused on U.S. and global poultry production and welfare. Beck’s work began when she was in ninth grade and started looking closely into broiler production factors and exactly how the birds grew. She also learned how to determine meat quality. By her senior year, Beck was investigating alternative methods for replacing antibiotics. This research has earned her top honors as she has been named a 2017 American Star in Agriscience. “I was looking into the gut health of the chick,” Beck says. “I was looking into the microbiology of chickens and doing probiotic research.” In her lab trials, Beck has been testing different types of bacteria to determine [...]

By FFA New Horizons|2019-02-11T15:56:26-05:00October 26th, 2017|Categories: 90th National FFA Convention, American Star Awards, FFA New Horizons, News, The Feed, Top|Tags: agriscience, American Star Awards, convention, Ohio, poultry|

“20 Seconds” Workshop Teaches FFA Members How to Talk About Ag

Twenty seconds of "insane courage" can lead to positive dialogues about ag.

By FFA New Horizons|2019-02-11T15:56:26-05:00October 26th, 2017|Categories: 90th National FFA Convention, FFA New Horizons, SpeakAg, The Feed, Top|Tags: Advocacy, convention, student workshops|

Kellie Einck is the 2017 American Star in Agricultural Placement

This FFA member's fascination with engine mechanics helped fuel her desire to become an engineer.

By FFA New Horizons|2024-11-04T16:47:29-05:00October 26th, 2017|Categories: 90th National FFA Convention, American Star Awards, FFA New Horizons, The Feed, Top|Tags: Ag Placement, American Star Awards, convention, iowa, Iowa FFA, john deere|

Austin Nordyke is the 2017 American Star in Agribusiness

Since the invention of the push mower, cutting the grass represents a rite of passage for many kids. The only difference for Austin Nordyke was that his mower’s puttering speed propelled him to find a faster way to get the job done. And in 2012, this determination drove him to launch his own lawn maintenance operation—Austin Nordyke’s Lawn Care Service. It currently serves a healthy customer base in southwestern Kansas. Nordyke began his business when he was in eighth grade, as part of his supervised agricultural experience (SAE). He soon realized that with all of the yards he was mowing, one simple mower would not allow him to keep up with the volume. So he purchased a zero-turn lawn mower. This allowed him to be more efficient and take on more yards. In addition, he invested in more backup mowers and soon was taking care of 65 lawns. Though the money-making aspect first motivated him, all the opportunities that came with the business impressed him even more. “Over the last five years, I’ve [...]