INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — The Indiana State Fair Foundation’s third annual Harvest Dinner, held August 18 at the Indiana Farmers Coliseum, raised $79,620 for 4-H youth through the Indiana State Fair’s Celebration of Champions.

The Harvest Award was presented posthumously to Mauri Williamson, founder of the Indiana State Fair’s Pioneer Village.

The award was accepted by Mauri’s children, Marsha Mohr and David Williamson. Nearly 650 business leaders, government officials and friends of the fair enjoyed mingling during the cocktail hour, followed by a hearty meal and beverages served in mason jars.

“My dad loved Pioneer Village and the Indiana State Fair and would’ve been deeply honored to accept this award,” said David. “Dad attended 90 Indiana State Fairs, and he only missed three years when he served in the Navy during the Second World War.”

The Harvest Dinner also featured one of Indiana’s own, keynote speaker “Papa John” Schnatter, founder, chair and CEO of Papa John’s Pizza. His presentation, titled “Building Business, Slice by Slice” highlighted several of his experiences leading the world’s third-largest pizza delivery company.

In addition, Lane Slaton of Noblesville, Ind., who won the title of Grand Champion Market Lamb at this year’s fair, spoke during the dinner about what it’s like to participate in 4-H and what it takes to be competitive. “Practice like you’ve never won and perform like you’ve never lost,” said Lane, who is in his seventh year of 4-H.

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — The National FFA Organization selected 16 students from throughout the United States as finalists for its 2017 top achievement awards: American Star Farmer, American Star in Agribusiness, American Star in Agricultural Placement and American Star in Agriscience.

The American Star Awards represents the best of the best among thousands of American FFA Degree recipients. The award recognizes members who have developed outstanding agricultural skills and competencies through the completion of a supervised agricultural experience (SAE) program.

A required activity in FFA, an SAE allows members to learn by doing. Members can own and operate an agricultural business, intern at an agricultural business or conduct an agriculture-based scientific experiment and report the results.

 

Other requirements to achieve the award include demonstrating top management skills; completing key agricultural education, scholastic and leadership requirements; and earning an American FFA Degree, the organization’s highest level of student accomplishment.

A panel of judges will interview the below finalists and select one winner for each award at the 90th National FFA Convention & Expo, Oct. 25-28 in Indianapolis.

The four winners will be announced during an onstage ceremony on Oct. 26. ADM Crop Risk Services, Case IH, Elanco and Syngenta sponsor the American FFA Degree recognition program.

American Star Farmer: Joseph Arnold of the Lac qui Parle Valley FFA Chapter in Minnesota; Nickolas James Vollmer of the Merino FFA Chapter in Colorado; Jake Fanning of the Laverne FFA Chapter in Oklahoma; and Mark Cavallero of the Madera FFA Chapter in California.

American Star in Agribusiness: Nathan M. DeYoung  of the Shenandoah FFA Chapter in Indiana; Austin D. Nordyke of the Hugoton FFA Chapter in Kansas; Audra Montgomery of the Carrington FFA Chapter in North Dakota; and Shaun Wenrick of the Anna FFA Chapter in Ohio.

American Star in Agricultural Placement: Matthew S. Ries of the Lomira FFA Chapter in Wisconsin; Devin Debruhl of the Shenandoah FFA Chapter in Indiana; Kellie Mae Einck of the South O’Brien FFA Chapter in Iowa; and Bailey Wilson of the Pilot Point FFA Chapter in Texas.

American Star in Agriscience: Chrysta Noelle Beck of the Pettisville FFA Chapter in Ohio; Elizabeth Baker- Mikesell of the Greenwood FFA Chapter in Pennsylvania; Leah Danielle Hefty of the DeKalb FFA Chapter in Indiana; and Loren Gregory King of the Branch Area Career Centers FFA Chapter in Michigan.