Meet Landon Herring 2018 Star in Agricultural Placement Finalist
For Landon Herring of the Lowndes County FFA Chapter in Georgia, when you're happy with your job, it's hard to think about doing anything else.
Meet Gracie Danner 2018 American Star in Agricultural Placement Finalist
Agriculture is a way of life for Gracie Danner of the West Liberty FFA Chapter in Iowa.
Meet Jarret Moser – 2018 Star in Agricultural Placement Finalist
Communication has been a key element of Jarret Moser’s success in his placement supervised agricultural experience (SAE).
Know Before You Go: National FFA Convention & Expo
Follow these important tips to ensure a great convention experience.
National FFA Names 2018 American Star Award Finalists
National FFA selected 16 students from throughout the United States as finalists for its 2018 top achievement awards.
SAE Advice from American Star Award Winners
Expert advice on creating and maintaining your SAE.
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 [...]
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 [...]
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.
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 [...]
