Jakob Wilson of Plain City, Ohio, will be the first to tell you that he is proof of the statement, “Farming is in his blood.” The 21 year old was raised on his family’s farm, and he says that he can’t remember a time when he wanted to do anything else but farm.
Today, Wilson’s desire and dedication to farming has resulted in him being named a 2015 finalist for the American Star in Agricultural Placement award, one of the most prestigious honors awarded to a student by the National FFA Organization.
Wilson is the fourth generation to work on his family farm, and he counts himself fortunate to be able to do what he loves while learning from the generations before him. Having a deep love of the land, he has worked for JCW Farms Partnership, a diversified crop operation raising corn and soybeans, since he was a young boy. Wilson now plants more than 1,800 acres of corn and soybeans. He is also in charge of set up, maintenance and operation of the combine each day and manages his own harvest crew. Wilson says he takes great pride in his family’s farming operation and the contributions they make to be good stewards of the land while helping to feed the world.
Wilson was also active in his FFA chapter while in high school, and says his achievements in FFA were fulfilling and validated his efforts in production agriculture. He studied crop management at The Ohio State University –ATI in Wooster, Ohio, and his future plans are to contribute his land base and capital investments to expand JCW Farms Partnership and become a partner of the operation.
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.
Wilson is the son of John and Christie Wilson. He is a member of the Fairbanks FFA Chapter, led by advisor Rob Riddle.
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