National FFA Week, Feb. 16-23

National FFA Week begins Saturday, February 16.

National FFA Week is one of the biggest weeks of the year for the National Organization,” said Clay Sapp of Florida, President of the National FFA Organization. “We have the opportunity to share our message and really advocate for the FFA in local communities, as well as the state at national level, it’s an awesome opportunity to be able to engage members and stakeholders in the organization.”

Across the country FFA members and Chapters will be celebrating National FFA Week in their own, sometimes unique way. At his home Chapter in Florida Sapp says they hold a Tuesday night barbeque.

“And at that barbeque is when we handout our Greenhand designations to members that have participated in different FFA activities and reached a certain level of achievement,” Sapp said. “Also the Chapter has a new member recognition, so it’s a cool way to recognize students.”

Audio: Clay Sapp, National FFA President (3:20 mp3)

Brennen Costello, the National FFA Central Region V.P. says back at his home chapter in Nebraska, FFA Week activities included bringing cattle to school.

“And they actually show them the different parts and what the cattle are used for and we would also clip one to show what we do with show cattle,” Costello said. “Just show them and explain the different aspects of agriculture.”

Audio: Brennan Costello, Central Region V.P., National FFA (2:15 mp3)

The National FFA Officers will be spreading out across the country to celebrate National FFA Week. Sapp will be traveling to Nevada and Central Region V.P. Costello will be heading to Vermont.

 

Equine Science Proficiency winner

Elizabeth Hayes of the Marysville FFA in Ohio is the 2012 National Proficiency winner for Equine Science Entrepreneurship. Elizabeth found her success in the show ring was something she could turn into a business. Currently a student at the University of Findlay, Elizabeth has her sights on becoming a professional horse trainer and hopes to own her own horse facility after college.

Audio: Elizabeth Hayes, Nat’l Proficiency Winner, Marysville Ohio FFA (3:00 mp3)

Bringing national experience to the Indiana FFA

Coty Back started with the Indiana FFA Association just over five weeks ago.  In his new role as the assistant Executive Director of Leadership Programs for the Indiana FFA Association he hopes to provide the support to create the agriculture industry’s next great leaders.

Back says by providing support to teachers (who are what he calls the crux of all agriculture education) and providing the opportunity for Indiana FFA members to grow their leadership skills that will lead to greater professional development and career success.

Back is a past National FFA Officer.  He tells Brownfield he anticipates that experience being very beneficial.  “After traveling to various FFA Chapters around the country – we can use them as an example,” he says.  “I can bring those experiences back to Indiana and challenge the state’s members to look at different ideas.  Maybe it won’t work here in Indiana – but maybe it will, too.”

Back was the Eastern Region Vice President in 2006-2007.

Ohio FFA’s National Proficiency Finalists

Maddi Buschar

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

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)

Taylor Kruse

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

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

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)

Justin Pursel

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)

Jakob Wilson – National Proficiency Winner

Jakob Wilson of the Fairbanks FFA in Milford Center, Ohio is the 2012 National Proficiency winner for Diversified Crop Production Placement. Jakob works on his family’s 4,000 acre farm, growing corn, soybeans and a little wheat in five Central Ohio counties. Currently a student at The Ohio State University – ATI at Wooster, Jakob plans to return to the family farm. Jakob is the son of Christie and John, his FFA advisor is Rob Riddle.

Audio: Jakob Wilson, Fairbanks FFA, Ohio (3:15 mp3)

Elizabeth Hayes – National Proficiency Winner

Elizabeth Hayes of the Marysville FFA in Ohio is the 2012 National Proficiency winner for Equine Science Entrepreneurship. Elizabeth found her success in the show ring was something she could turn into a business. Currently a student at the University of Findlay, Elizabeth has her sights on becoming a professional horse trainer and hopes to own her own horse facility after college.

Audio: Elizabeth Hayes, Marysville FFA, Ohio (3:05 mp3)

Nick Rutschilling – National Proficiency Winner

The 2012 National Proficiency winner for Swine Production Placement is Nick Rutschilling of the Versailles FFA Chapter in Ohio. Nick is works for his father and uncle on their 500 sow, farrow to finish operation. Nick’s responsibilities include everything from hauling manure, to giving shots. Nick is the son of Linda and Mark, his FFA advisor is Dena Wuebker.

Audio: Nick Rutschilling, Versailles FFA, Ohio (2:40 mp3)

 

National FFA Star Farmer

For 20-year old Clayton Carley – it all started with a small sweet corn field and has now developed into what is now a few hundred acres of corn and soybeans.  He started working for the same reasons many others enter the workforce at an early age – to earn money for a car and his college education.

Clayton has a love for crop science and now conducts extensive research to determine best management practices.

He says FFA played a large part in shaping his sound business practices as well as contributing his entrepreneurial spirit.

He is the son of Kenton and Lisa Carley and was a member of Cissna Park FFA in Illinois. His advisor was Jeff Clifton.

AUDIO: Clayton Carley, Star Farmer (3:28mp3)

National FFA Star in Agribusiness

First it was Bradley’s Pumpkin Patch.  Then it was Bradley’s Christmas Trees.  That then spawned Bradley’s Landscaping.  From there he added Daffodils, Peanuts, and Daylillies.  The “Bradley Brand” began in 1995 when Dawsonville, Georgia’s Brad Weaver started giving away – then selling pumpkins to earn money for college.  Bradley’s businesses continue to grow today.

Weaver, the son of retired teachers Tony and Karen Weaver, graduated from Dawson County High School in Dawsonville, Georgia. His FFA chapter advisor is Reggie Stowers. He is currently attending North Georgia College majoring in business administration.

AUDIO: Bradley Weaver, Star in AgriBusiness (2:27mp3)

National FFA Star in AgriScience

Taylor Runyan had a science influence from a very young age.  Her mom – a middle school science teacher – encouraged her to begin competing in science fairs.  Runyan’s love of science went further when she began spending time with Dr. Penny Perkins. 

Through her research on lycopene – she found it had the capability to block ultraviolet rays.  In addition – she found studies implicated the lycopene creams efficacy exceeded that of SPF-50 sunscreen.

Runyan is a student at Murray State College in Tishomingo, OK.  In addition to her classwork she also plays basketball.

AUDIO: Taylor Runyan, Star in AgriScience (3:17mp3)