Coming from a family who farms, Austin Wippel of Orient, Ohio, was motivated to begin a supervised agricultural experience project in agriculture. The 21 year old began baling 30 acres of straw before becoming an FFA member in 2009, and today he owns and operates a hay and straw baling business as well as farms 65 acres of row crop production.
Wippel’s motivation has resulted in him being 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.
Wippel raises 65 acres of corn, soybeans, wheat and alfalfa hay in rotation. Between the hay and straw, he handles an average of 23,500 small square bales of hay and straw per year.
His business has allowed him to see the importance of money management, equipment purchases and marketing strategies. In addition, Wippel says his involvement with FFA has shaped him as a person and continues to motivate him every day. Currently studying agronomy at The Ohio State University, he plans to graduate in 2017 and continue to diversify his business.
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.
Wippel is the son of Jay and Marci Wippel. He is a member of the Westfall FFA Chapter, led by advisors Rick Metzger, Rachel Scior and Jake Wuebben.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download