INDIANAPOLIS (Friday, Oct. 29 2021/National FFA Organization) – Agriculture is an industry with many technological advancements behind the scenes, and Grady Johnson wants to use the latest and greatest tech to help his farming operation succeed.
“For me, it’s just seeing what’s next,” Grady said. “There’s been a lot of innovations in agriculture and it’s fun to be on the forefront of those and see how we can do more with less.”
Nebraska is famous for its corn, and Grady’s supervised agricultural experience (SAE) for the Holdrege FFA chapter is primarily about baling corn stalks. While he sells a lot of his bales to feed yards so Nebraska’s livestock have something to eat, Grady said the production of ethanol – a corn-based innovation in the fuel industry – is also a key part of his forward-thinking business strategy.
Corn and ethanol weren’t always what Grady was focused on, though. He got his start as an independent farmer by raising sheep.
“It started when I was between my freshman and sophomore year of high school,” Grady said. “I got into sheep production. I always worked for the family operation, but I wanted to start my own business. … And then that [sheep] went to the wayside as the years went on.”
As a business owner, Grady said some of the most valuable information he learned in his ag classes related to finances and management. The Agricultural Experience Tracker, or AET, was a particularly helpful bit of technology during his formative years.
“AET was really my first experience with some sort of financial or record-keeping system,” Grady said. “And it showed you the importance of that and it helped your operation grow.”
Grady’s best advice for FFA members who want to start their own SAE is to keep an open mind and embrace new techniques, innovations and ideas.
“I felt like FFA was the way to let you step out of the comfort zone and try something new,” Grady said. “You can make anything possible. Start early and figure out what you like.”
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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