Heldt Wins National Goat Production Proficiency Area

Posted on October 31, 2014 by Kelsey Litchfield

Alexus Rose Heldt of the Watertown Mayer FFA Chapter in Minnesota admits that her life revolves around goats.  She became involved in the industry at a young age as her grandparents have operated a dairy goat herd for 45 years.  Heldt exchanges the labor of milking and feeding chores for equipment and livestock.  When she is not on the farm, she enjoys showing goats at county, state and national shows.  Heldt  plans to study agricultural engineering and agricultural education in college.  She is supported by parents Stephen Penegor and Jodene Heldt and FFA advisor James Kocherer. This award is sponsored by Tractor Supply Company.

 

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National Landscape Management Proficiency Winner – Christopher Crump

Posted on October 31, 2014 by Kelsey Litchfield

Christopher Cline Crump of the Banks County FFA Chapter in Georgia spent countless hours assisting his grandfather in his shop and eventually developed the same level of work ethic.  He secured a job with a landscaping company—developing important skills such as edging, string trimming, pruning and mowing.  Crump also got to work outside and gain horticultural experience, helpful for his long-term goal of entering agricultural education. Crump is supported by parents Rodney and Gena Crump and FFA advisors Kipp Jackson and Scott Wheatley. This award is sponsored by John Deere and Tractor Supply Company.

 

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National Poultry Production Proficiency Winner – Danny Moretti

Posted on October 31, 2014 by Kelsey Litchfield

Although he was born and raised on a dairy farm, Danny Moretti of the Tomales FFA Chapter in California decided to start an organic poultry operation after a local poultry producer sought organic egg producers to meet high market demand.  He now operates a certified organic poultry operation consisting of 2,200 birds.  Over 90 percent of his eggs are sold as organic under the Marin Sun Farms label. This agreement has increased his ability to negotiate and market his flock.  He also sells eggs to a local grocery store, to neighbors and at local farmers markets. Moretti is supported by parents Mike and Monique Moretti and FFA advisor William Costanzo. This award is sponsored by Tractor Supply Company and Tyson Foods, Inc.

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Herring Wins National Specialty Crop Production Proficiency Area

Posted on October 31, 2014 by Kelsey Litchfield

Sam Herring of the Lowndes FFA Chapter in Georgia works under his father and uncle on their family flu-cured tobacco production farm.  When he started his SAE, he was motivated to learn more about producing and processing tobacco.  Herring has since developed a sense of responsibility from his project as well as from doing things such as curing and irrigating the crop.  Herring hopes to eventually take over his family’s farm.  He is supported by parents Joey and Lisa Herring and FFA advisors Dr. James Corbett, Quinton Hadsock and Michael L. Barnes. This award is sponsored by CF Industries, Inc.

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National Vegetable Production Proficiency Winner – Greta Tank

Posted on October 31, 2014 by Kelsey Litchfield

Greta Tank of the Randolph FFA Chapter in Minnesota serves as the sales and marketing manager for her family-owned seasonal sweet corn and fall produce business.  She began in the operation by helping her older brother.  Because of her efficient customer service skills, she saw an eight percent growth in sales. Tank is supported by parents Myron and Linda Tank and FFA advisor Edward Terry. This award is sponsored by Tractor Supply Company and Wilbur-Ellis Corporation.

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Swine Production—Placement Tristan Davis—Kansas

Posted on October 31, 2014 by Jamye Spence Freeman

Tristan Davis of the Central Heights FFA Chapter in Kansas works for his father’s show
pig operation.  They breed, farrow and sell seven different registered breeds and crossbreeds—totaling 50 sows.  He began on the farm by learning how to medicate and grind feed.  Today, Davis assists in everything from selecting boar semen to marketing the  finished product.  He is supported by parents Jack and Lisa Davis and FFA advisors Aaron Cubit and Trent Page. This award is sponsored by Akey.

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Kale Parker Lives by the FFA Creed

Posted on October 31, 2014 by Courtney Gerstenecker

Congratulations to Kale Parker of Oklahoma who was announced as the top National FFA Creed Speaker at the 87th National FFA Convention and Expo.  Be sure to listen in to his incredible response and appreciation for his amazing accomplishment.  His belief and passion for leadership and this organization is inspirational.  This young FFA member has an incredible future ahead of him by truly living to serve by the FFA Creed.

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Small Animal Production and Care—Entrepreneurship/Placement Anastasia Sturgis—Florida

Posted on October 31, 2014 by Jamye Spence Freeman

Anastasia Sturgis of the Orlando Colonial Senior FFA Chapter in Florida became interested in birds at 5 years old when her parents bought her a duckling.  As a freshman in high school, Sturgis constructed numerous aviaries, obtained federal permits to breed endangered bird species, and perfected techniques to handle defensive and aggressive
birds.  She used these skills while working at a parrot rescue center to produce high quality exotic pet bird species from rescued macaws, conures, cockatoos, cockatiels, finches and
lories.  Sturgis hopes to pursue a career managing threatened avian and game bird species.  She is supported by parents Gil and Renee Sturgis and FFA advisor Timothy App. This award is sponsored by Ainsworth Pet Nutrition and Tractor Supply Company.

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Nursery Operations—Entrepreneurship/Placement Matthew George—Florida

Posted on October 31, 2014 by Jamye Spence Freeman

Matthew George of the Trenton Senior FFA Chapter in Florida started helping his
grandfather with his daylilies seven years ago.  Since then, he has built 18 growing beds in his backyard to harvest his own daylilies.  He has learned time management skills and the ability to boost customer satisfaction from his grandfather. In addition, George’s mother and grandmother have taught him bookkeeping.  These factors have all influenced his own business, “Daylilies By George, LLC.”  George is supported by parents Denny and
Hallie George and FFA advisors Ashley Young and Heather Rucker. This award is
sponsored RAM Trucks.

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Grain Production—Placement Eric Kenneth Coddington—Wisconsin

Posted on October 31, 2014 by Jamye Spence Freeman

EricKenneth Coddington of the Montello FFA Chapter in Wisconsin was able to take a tractor safety course and began operating machinery at age 12 on his family’s farm.
Today, he works as a farm manager and helps his father grow 1,400 acres of
corn, 200 acres of soybeans and 600 acres of soybeans.  He has developed an interest in corn research and completed a test pilot studying the effect of a split-application of
nitrogen—increasing yields from five to 25 bushels per acre.  Coddington is excited to obtain a degree in agronomy and use his education to apply new practices on his family’s
farm.  He is supported by parents Brian and Mary Coddington and FFA advisor Hannah Walsdorf.  This award is sponsored by CF Industries, Inc.

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