| Outstanding Hoosier FFA members receive Star awards |
|
|
|
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — During the third session of the 81st Indiana FFA State Convention on June 15, the Stars over Indiana were recognized for outstanding achievements in the areas of agriscience, agribusiness and agriculture placement.
Star in Agriscience
The State Star in Agriscience from the DeKalb FFA Chapter, Kayleigh Warner, understands the importance of hard work and finding solutions to local problems.
Warner has always had a motivating family that shared the same interests in science. She started by first recognizing there was a problem in her community from her grandfather who was on the county board of health. He had numerous complaints about the foundry dust containing carcinogens coming from a local metal production facility, and encouraged his ambitious granddaughter to research this problem.
Warner wanted to prove one way or another that the foundry dust and sand had carcinogens. By using Trine University labs for her research, she would test the carcinogens of iron, nickel, magnesium, and chromium. Her second goal was to increase the production of the most common soil type in her county, blount, by adding foundry sand to other common soil types. After successfully completing her first two goals, she plans to create a compost using foundry sand to sell as part of her SAE.
Star in Agribusiness
The State Star in Agribusiness from the Rushville FFA Chapter, Doug Wicker, realized at a young age the value of family traditions.
At the age of five, Wicker began showing dairy cattle competitively, and from then on, he began to find his passion in the industry. With the help of his parents, he began buying and selling dairy heifers. After purchasing open heifers, he raises them to breeding age and sells them as bred heifers prior to freshening.
Wicker started his program with his main focus on buying, raising, and then selling quality heifers while earning money from something he enjoyed doing. He has accomplished just that by continuingly growth in his herd and taking on more hours throughout the course of his program.
Wicker will be attending Purdue University in the fall majoring in animal science in hopes of pursing interests in dairy genetics.
Star in Agriculture Placement
Hailing from the Shenandoah FFA Chapter, the State Star in Agriculture Placement, Ross Crabill, takes advantage of an opportunity placed in front of him located just down the road.
Crabill began working at Day Farms several years ago and has never looked back. Growing up in a rural community, Crabill has been riding in combines and tractors with the Day family since he was a young boy, always wanting to know more about the farm operations.
Since that time, Crabill has gained knowledge in every aspect of Day Farms, which includes over 2,400 acres of crops and 500-1,000 head of fat cattle. Crabill understands that keeping up with new technologies can be the difference between profit and loss.
Even though Crabill has gained many skills, he is continuing to grow and improve in his SAE. In the future, Crabill hopes to take on a portion of Days Farms, and also purchase his own farm. Upon graduating from Shenandoah High School, Crabill will be attending Ivy Tech in Muncie for agribusiness management.
Star Farmer
From the Manchester FFA Chapter, the State Star Farmer, Austin Bechtold, quickly realized the amount of hard work and dedication that is required to build a successful business and in his case, a productive sheep flock.
Since he was six years old, Bechtold has been seen helping around the family sheep farm, as well as showing sheep in the showring. After purchasing his first Shropshire ewe from a breeder in 2002, Bechtold has expanded his flock to 15 Shropshire ewes and five commercial ewes. Since those early days of showing and helping his dad, Bechtold has started his own flock that he manages on his own in addition to helping his dad with his own 80 ewe flock.
In the future, Bechtold plans to attend Ivy Tech Community College to earn an associate’s degree in business administration, and then return full time working for Bechtold Farm, Inc. By the age of 30 he plans to own 100 acres of productive farmland, and he would like to expand his flock to 150 to 200 ewes. |
| 6/23/2010 |
|
