Special Report

Ohio FFA’s National Proficiency Finalists

Maddi Buschar of the Versailles FFA was a National Proficiency Finalist in Agricultural Communications Placement. Maddi’s interest in ag communications began with the Prepared Public Speaking CDE. From there Maddi got a job at the local radio station as the Farm News Director. Her responsibilities included everything from reporting on local agricultural issues, to reporting grain and livestock markets. Maddi is the daughter of Vicki and Steve, her FFA advisor is Dena Wuebker.

Audio: Maddi Buschar, Versailles FFA (4:10 mp3)

Rebecca Faverty of the Marlington FFA in Alliance was a National Proficiency Finalist in Agricultural Processing. For Rebecca, watching her grandfather and other family members process wild game led to her SAE. She enjoys not only skinning deer, but also showing others how to do it, as well as help them identify the different cuts of meat. Rebecca is a student at OSU-ATI in Wooster and hopes to someday be an ag teacher. Rebecca is the daughter of Connie and Dwight, her FFA advisor is Jessica Halsinger.

Audio: Rebecca Faverty, Marlington FFA (4:35 mp3)

Pettisville FFA member Taylor Kruse was a National FFA Proficiency Finalist in Agriscience Research-Plant Systems. Raising rabbits and a curiosity led Taylor to her agriscience research project. By feeding different rabbit breeds varying amounts of protein, she hoped to see what nutrients would exist in their manure. Taylor is the daughter of Peggy and Jack, her FFA advisor is John Poulson.

Audio: Taylor Kruse, Pettisville FFA (3:05 mp3)

Ashley Wilker of the Marion Local FFA Chapter in Maria Stein was a National Proficiency Finalist in Dairy Production Placement. Growing up in a farming community, Ashley’s passion for dairy cows led to a job on a local dairy farm. Ashley’s responsibilities includes milking 350 head of Holstein cows, feeding calves and mixing and dumping feed for the milk and dry cows. Ashley is the daughter of Kelly and Ray, her FFA advisor is Lucy Bambauer.

Audio: Ashley Wilker, Marion Local FFA (2:35 mp3)

Aaron Clark of the West Holmes FFA Chapter in Millersburg was on stage at the 85th National FFA Convention as a National Proficiency finalist in Diversified Agricultural Production. Over the past few years Aaron has been involved in a 6,000 acre diversified farming operation where he has worked in both the grain and livestock sides of the farm. Aaron is attending OSU-ATI in Wooster, working on a degree in crop science. Aaron is the son of Heidi Truitt and Chris Clark, his FFA advisor is Jaime Chenevey.

Audio: Aaron Clark, West Holmes FFA (2:40 mp3)

Cody Adams of the Fayetteville FFA Chapter in Brown, Ohio, was the National Proficiency finalist in Diversified Crop Production Entrepreneurship. Cody’s SAE began four years ago with 13 acres of corn and soybeans, he’s increased his acres to just over 55. Cody is the son of Kathy and Gail, his FFA advisor is Matt Winkle.

Audio: Cody Adams, Fayetteville FFA (2:15 mp3)

Ohio’s National Proficiency finalist in Environmental Science and Natural Resources is Justin Pursel of the Pettisville FFA. Justin works for his father’s excavation company installing catch basins and tile outlets to relieve water runoff from fields and open areas. In the process they use soil and stone in a leach bed system to filter water. Justin, a senior at Pettisville High School is the son of Karla and Jason, his FFA advisor is John Poulson.

Audio: Justin Pursel, Pettisville FFA (2:20 mp3)