Logan Peters of Pender, Neb., still remembers when he purchased his first calf for $210. He was eight years old, and he had saved for two years. His goal was to own his own herd. Because of that entrepreneurial spirit, Peters has been named a 2015 finalist for the American Star Farmer award, one of the most prestigious honors awarded to a student by the National FFA Organization.
While Peters’ family owned hogs, he knew that his passion was cattle. He began mowing lawns to buy his next cow. Soon he was raising popcorn, sweet corn and growing pumpkins. He then expanded to work for a landscape company and raise broilers and laying hens, all with his own cattle herd in mind.
Today, not only does he own his herd, he also knows the importance of diversification. He focuses on growing his herd to be more efficient and profitable and making his dream of PrimeFire Meats a reality.
Currently studying animal science at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Peters hopes to sell his first steak in 2017. He says his passion lies in keeping his family farm going and doing what his great grandfather did when he first moved to Nebraska.
Each year at the National FFA Convention & Expo, four FFA members are honored with an American Star Award for outstanding accomplishments in FFA and agricultural education.
The American Star Awards, including the American Star Farmer, American Star in Agribusiness, American Star in Agricultural Placement and American Star in Agriscience, are awarded to FFA members who demonstrate outstanding agricultural skills and competencies through completion of a supervised agricultural experience program. A required activity in FFA, an SAE allows students to learn by doing by either owning and operating an agricultural business, working or serving an internship at an agriculture-based business or conducting an agriculture-based scientific experiment and reporting 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.
Sixteen American Star Award finalists from throughout the U.S. are nominated by a panel of judges to interview during the national convention and expo. Four are named winners and receive cash awards totaling $4,000. All American Star finalists receive a $2,000 cash award. The American Star Awards are sponsored by ADM Crop Risk Services, Case IH, Elanco, Farm Credit and Syngenta as a special project of the National FFA Foundation.
Peters is the son of Matthew and Pamela Peters. He is a member of the Pender FFA Chapter, led by advisor Dallas Bartlett.
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