Ohio boasts six proficiency winners at 92nd FFA National event

by DOUG GRAVES

Ohio Correspondent

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — In addition to crowning the National FFA presidency with one of its own, Ohio flourished at this year’s FFA National Convention held in Indianapolis last month. The Buckeye State produced six national proficiency winners.

 Andy Holscher of the Upper Valley Career Center FFA Chapter won in the area of Agricultural Mechanics Repair and Maintenance — Placement. Holscher works at his family’s business, servicing and repairing lawnmowers and yard equipment. He started helping around the shop by doing simple jobs, like testing equipment for quality. Now he works on a large John Deere riding lawnmower, using a small leaf blower, assisting customers or anything in between.

 Rachel Sherman of the Big Walnut-DACC FFA Chapter won in the area of Dairy Production — Entrepreneurship. Sherman began her herd with a gift of one heifer from her parents. That one heifer grew to nine lactating cows and four heifers. She has grown her herd to be representative of all six main breeds of dairy cattle and has focused on strengthening her enterprise through the use of good management practices and continued use of genetic selection.

 Joanna Frankenberg of the New Bremen FFA Chapter won in the area of Dairy Production — Placement. Frankenberg works on her family’s dairy farm, assisting in the management of a 120-Holstein cow herd and an additional 120 heifers. They also farm 480 acres of land, cultivating corn, grass hay, soybeans and wheat — all of which goes directly into feeding and caring for the herd. Frankenberg started helping on the farm at the age of five. She’s learned much about emerging technology related to the farm, including robotic management, no-till and more.

 Jacob Wuebker of the Versailles FFA Chapter won in the area of Agricultural Production — Entrepreneurship/Placement. Wuebker is the fourth generation to work on his family farm. The operation produces 1,000 acres of corn, soybeans, wheat and alfalfa hay in addition to raising 2,000 sows from farrow to wean and 200 dairy steers on a feedlot.

 Justin Scott of the Indian Valley FFA Chapter won in the area of Diversified Crop Production — Placement. Scott works on his cousin’s 1,200-acre farm. The operation is a 50-50 rotation between yellow dent corn and soybeans. His cousin has slowly empowered him to take on more responsibilities, beginning with cleaning equipment and operating tillage implements and working to maintaining and repairing equipment, transporting grain and making management decisions. Scott is supported by his parents, Sommer and Tim, and his FFA advisor, David Stiles.

 Austin Dotterer of the Smithville FFA Chapter won in the area of Fruit Production — Entrepreneurship/Placement. Dotterer began his supervised agricultural experience (SAE) because he wanted to help his aunt and uncle who own a blackberry farm of about 2,400 plants. When he began, his only responsibilities were picking, cutting out old growth and lateral training. He has since learned most aspects of raising the fruit.