Category Archives: 2015 Convention
Equine Science Entrepreneurship–Kaine Warnken (TX)
Kaine Warnken of the Schulenburg FFA Chapter in Texas has worked on his roping skills for years, and his dedication to the rodeo industry is starting to pay off. He now selects and trains horses on his own, and his … Continue reading
Environmental Science and Natural Resources Management Entrepreneurship/Placement–Sarah Elizabeth Spradlin (GA)
When Sarah Elizabeth Spradlin’s mother became sick during her freshman year, she wanted to know why so that she could find a solution. A member of the Madison County FFA Chapter in Danielsville, Ga., Spradlin decided to research whether farmers … Continue reading
Emerging Agricultural Technology Entrepreneurship/Placement–Ian Bennett (GA)
Ian Bennett of the Lowndes FFA Chapter in Valdosta, Ga., developed a handheld temperature measurement device to remotely sense the temperature of livestock. He saw the need for such a device while working on his family’s farm, noticing that the … Continue reading
Diversified Livestock Production Entrepreneurship/Placement–Nole Gerfen (OH)
The main memories from childhood Nole Gerfen has are of riding farm equipment with his parents. A member of the Ridgement FFA Chapter in Ridgeway, Ohio, he now participates in the family farm by raising commercial breeding swine, finisher hogs, … Continue reading
Diversified Horticulture Entrepreneurship/Placement–Stone L. Hayden (KS)
Stone L. Hayden of the Chapman FFA Chapter in Kansas has owned a landscape business since he was 12 years old. While he started mowing lawns for neighbors, he now works as a cemetery groundskeeper and cares for the grass, … Continue reading
Diversified Crop Production Placement–Derek W. Neuhoff (IN)
Derek W. Neuhoff’s father told him that when you enjoy what you are doing, it won’t seem like work. A member of the Southridge FFA Chapter in Huntingburg, Ind., Neuhoff decided to follow in the footsteps of his father in … Continue reading
Diversified Crop Production Entrepreneurship–Evan Schaefer (OH)
Evan Schaefer of the Miami Trace FFA Chapter in Ohio went from seven acres of sweet corn to 513 acres of diversified crops in the third year of his SAE project. This land acquisition increased his net worth by $136,000. … Continue reading
Diversified Agricultural Production Entrepreneurship/Placement–Riley A. Lewis (IN)
Riley A. Lewis of the Prairie Heights FFA Chapter in Lagrange, Ind., started working on his family’s dairy and crop farm, Lewis Century Stock Farm, at the age of 8. Since then, he has increased his responsibilities to include driving … Continue reading
Dairy Production Placement–Katerri Ann Schmitmeyer (OH)
Katerri Ann Schmitmeyer of the Versailles FFA Chapter in Ohio is a dairy herdsman at Line-View Dairy Farm, her father’s dairy operation. The farm currently consists of 270 dairy cows, 100 dairy heifers, 300 dairy steers and 1,200 acres of … Continue reading
Dairy Production Entrepreneurship–Kaila Wussow (WI)
Kaila Wussow of the Bonduel FFA Chapter in Wisconsin received her first Jersey calf around the time of her first birthday. Since then, she has strived to raise animals that do well both in and out of the show ring. … Continue reading