Oklahoma Student Wins 2014 Star Farmer Award

 LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Saturday, Nov. 1, 2014/87th National FFA Convention & Expo) – Zach Weichel was named the 2014 American Star Farmer today during the eighth general session of the National FFA Convention & Expo.

When Zach Weichel was 8 years old, he received a bottle calf from his grandfather. From that experience and others on his family’s farm, he knew he wanted to start his own cattle enterprise.

The Oklahoman FFA member raises more than 300 beef stocker cattle that will be transported to feedlots. He also grows wheat on 30 acres for production.

“While helping in my family’s operation, I became interested in developing my own cattle business,” he said. “My dad and grandfather’s knowledge of the livestock business has helped me deal with new situations as the volume of my herds have increased.”

A student majoring in animal science at Oklahoma State University, Weichel plans on returning to his operation full-time. Weichel said his goal of expanding his enterprise will come from advancing his knowledge through his education, conferences and practical experience.

“The satisfaction I get from meeting the everyday challenges of farming and ranching is why I wanted a career in production agriculture.”

Weichel, 21, is a member of the Cordell FFA Chapter in New Cordell, Okla., led by advisor Brian Dowdie. He is the son of Keith and Lana Weichel.

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Ohio Student Wins 2014 Star in Agriscience Award

 LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Saturday, Nov. 1, 2014/87th National FFA Convention & Expo) – Sarah Cox was named the 2014 American Star in Agriscience today during the eighth general session of the National FFA Convention & Expo.

Cox claims her love of science and technology comes from her nuclear engineer and pharmacist parents.

The Ohioan has experimented in animal and food sciences through studies involving strawberry crown rot, African nightshade phytochemicals, hoof rot bacteria and soybeans. She has interned with The Nationwide Children’s Hospital Research Institute, Asian Vegetable Research and Development Center – The World Vegetable Center and the Thad Cochran Horticultural Center and worked with university professors at The Ohio State University and Purdue University.

Currently a student at Purdue University studying biological food processing and pharmaceutical engineering, she hopes to attend medical school and be a food process engineer.

“Through persistence and several gracious professors and researchers, I have had the opportunity to complete very prestigious research,” she said. “As each project progressed, I grew more confident in basic laboratory skills.”

Cox, 20, is a member of the Zane Trace FFA Chapter in Chillicothe, Ohio. Her advisors are Jennifer Johnston and Gary Peters. She is the daughter of Paul and Rachel Cox.

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Lindsey Rutherford of the Jefferson County FFA Chapter in Tennessee has enjoyed working with and caring for animals since she was a little girl.  When she told her parents at age 5 that she wanted to “fix her animals,” they thought she would grow out of it.  Instead, she began working with a large animal veterinarian in high school and has developed an increasing ability to diagnosis and treat animal illnesses.  Rutherford plans on majoring in animal science in college and becoming a veterinarian.  She is supported by parents Ken and Jerry Rutherford and FFA advisors Mike Maples, Adam Martin and Jim Satterfield. This award is sponsored by American Veterinary Medical Association.

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Southern Region Vice President Jackson Harris shared his retiring address with FFA members.  Listen to Don’t Give Up On Home…

To read the transcript, click here.

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