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National FFA names 2019 American Stars

National FFA has recognized four students with its top honor, the American Star Awards.

The award recognizes FFA members who have developed outstanding agricultural skills through completion of a supervised agricultural experience (SAE) program.

South Dakota native Andrew Streff is the 2019 Star in Agricultural Placement. He started his SAE on his family’s farm.

“I grew up on my family’s 1500-acre corn and soybean farm where I’ve been active in every single aspect of that farm since really day one,” he says. “I’ve helped them with planting, tillage, harvesting in the fall, and anything you can think of between.”

He also completed two internships – with Central Farmers Cooperative and WinField United.

Advice he has for other FFA members who want to do something similar is to…“Find something that you’re passionate about,” he says. “If you’re really passionate about what you’re doing it makes it so much easier to get up I the morning and get going on doing something that you love.”

Audio: Andrew Streff, Star in Agricultural Placement

Willis Wolf of California is this year’s Star Farmer. His SAE involves raising goats and hay forage.

“An average day working with my project would be 12-14-hour days,” he says. “There’s never a dull moment. It’s a lot of fun and I have a blast with it, but some days can be really tiring and exhausting.”

Advice he has is to never give up and ask for help when they need it.

Audio: Willis Wolf, Star Farmer

Courtney Cameron, of Georgia, is the Star in Agriscience.

“The dominant part of my research is in plan systems, specifically plant pathology,” she says. “My research centers around pathogens, identifying them, finding treatments, as well as looking at how they behave.”

She says the biggest thing she has gained is learning the integral role Agriscience plays in connecting the farmer and the consumer and science. She says it serves as a bridge to help educate the consumer and serve farmers as well.

Audio: Courtney Cameron, Star in Agriscience

Oklahoma native Blake Kennedy was named the Star in Agribusiness for his work in his family’s show pig sale operation.

“In 2013 I took over my parent’s show pig sale operation and in 2016 I made the business decision to move that sale to Lawton, Oklahoma and that’s where thing started to take off,” he says. “I utilized social media and emerging technology to pump the sale up and get breeders all across the US along with bringing a webcasting service in and utilizing the technology to get potential buyers that maybe couldn’t come but could still see those animals.”

Audio: Blake Kennedy, Star in Agribusiness

Other requirements for the American Star award include demonstrating top management skills; completing key ag education, scholastic, and leadership requirements; and earning an American FFA Degree.