INDIANAPOLIS (Friday, Oct. 29 2021/National FFA Organization) – Caleb Peckham was involved in agriculture as soon as he could walk.
Growing up on his parents’ dairy farm in Connecticut, Caleb helped milk cows and fed calves. When he became a high school freshman and joined the Killingly FFA Chapter, Caleb’s family farm chores turned into a paid placement SAE, and his responsibilities grew.
“My father will say that when he’s off the farm, I can basically run the farm for him and help with whatever needs doing,” Caleb said.
He had a hand in the farm’s crop production, and by his senior year, Caleb was managing the farm’s calves, feeding them, dehorning them and administering medicine when needed. He even supervises two high school students who feed the calves on the weekends.
“I’m helping them out and any questions that they have for me, I’m responsible for that,” Caleb.
Additionally, Caleb’s family runs a farm store where they sell milk. To sell that milk in local supermarkets and the farm store each day, a sample needs to be sent to a local co-op’s lab to be tested.
“I got my certification for pulling samples out of the bulk tank from the state of Connecticut,” Caleb said. “That enables us to bottle milk for the next day.”
Reflecting on his experience, Caleb says FFA helped him better understand and explain to others why he’s passionate about dairy.
“We are always striving for the highest quality milk; it’s very important to us,” Caleb said. “We’re big supporters on educating the public on what we do, and I feel like FFA has taught me how to better communicate to the public.”
Looking to the future, Caleb is in his second year of a two-year dairy production management degree program at SUNY Cobleskill in New York. He sees himself working in dairy production for a long time.
“I knew way back in middle school that I wanted to farm,” Caleb said. “I knew that it was for me, and I love working with the cows. My herd is like my world.”
He shares more with Broadcast Desk Intern Michelle Stangler.
About the American Star Awards
Each year at the National FFA Convention & Expo, four FFA members are honored with American Star Awards for outstanding accomplishments in FFA and agricultural education.
The American Star Awards, including American Star Farmer, American Star in Agribusiness, American Star in Agricultural Placement and American Star in Agriscience, are presented to FFA members who demonstrate outstanding agricultural skills and competencies through completion of an SAE. A required activity in FFA, an SAE allows students to learn by doing, by either owning or 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. were nominated by a panel of judges who then interviewed the finalists this fall. Four were named winners during the 94th National FFA Convention & Expo this year, which was held in Indianapolis. Winners received cash awards. Case IH, Elanco Animal Health and Syngenta sponsor the awards.
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