National FFA Band Celebrates 75 Years

Not only are FFA members talented in agriculture-related experiences, but students are involved in singing or playing an instrument, too. The National FFA Band celebrates 75 years and one of the drum majors, Ally Loosen, of the Slinger FFA chapter in Wisconsin says she’s met, now friends, from across the nation.

From initially applying through videos demonstrating her talent, Loosen and band members before the anniversary celebration at the 95th National FFA Convention & Expo put in 12 hour practices.

She shares more of the experiences in the National FFA Band with Broadcast Desk Intern Michelle Stangler.

Posted in 2022 Convention | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on National FFA Band Celebrates 75 Years

Cason Lambert Named 2022 National Proficiency Winner in Swine Production – Placement

Cason Lamber of the Carroll at Flora FFA Chapter in Indiana works for his family farm raising approximately 27,000 head in a contract wean to finish operation. He is personally responsible for 18,000 pigs or roughly 66%of the family’s hogs. He loads hogs most mornings, with168 hogs per semi in about three semis each morning. Cleaning pens and distributing medications, vaccinations, or shots are routine for Lamber. Lamber is supported by his mother, Stephanie.

He shares more with Broadcast Desk Intern, Laura Wuebker.

Posted in 2022 Convention | Tagged , | Comments Off on Cason Lambert Named 2022 National Proficiency Winner in Swine Production – Placement

Halle Miller Named 2022 National Proficiency Winner in Small Animal Production and Care – Entrepreneurship/Placement

Halle Miller of Norwayne FFA Chapter in Ohio owns Borders of Eby Eden, an operation that sells Bordoodle puppies—border collies crossed with poodles—throughout the U. S. Her enterprise grew from two dogs to six and she has sold 88 puppies with more than 20 depositors awaiting their own. Miller provides early neurological stimulation, genetic
research, vet care, and reproductive support. She is supported by her parents, Robin and Mike.

She shares more with Broadcast Desk Intern, Laura Wuebker.

Posted in 2022 Convention | Tagged , | Comments Off on Halle Miller Named 2022 National Proficiency Winner in Small Animal Production and Care – Entrepreneurship/Placement

Emma Victery of Oklahoma Named American Star in Agricultural Placement Finalist

The Department of Agriculture (USDA) says there are almost 100 million cattle in the U. S., and someone must take care of them. That’s where people like Emma Victery come in.

Victery, a member of Chickasha FFA in Oklahoma, raises Black Angus cattle with her family. She started small in her youth, but now Emma is an irreplaceable part of the management and marketing on her family farm. She was named an American Star in Agricultural Placement Finalist at the 95th National FFA Convention and Expo.

She shares more with Broadcast Desk Intern Michelle Stangler.

Posted in 2022 Convention | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Emma Victery of Oklahoma Named American Star in Agricultural Placement Finalist

Case Edwards of Alabama Named American Star in Agricultural Placement Finalist

If your tractor breaks down in Alabama, there’s a good chance Case Edwards of Wetumpka FFA will be the one to repair it.

Edwards  was hired by a tractor repairman named Randy Stubbs when he was just 16 years old. Case had previously worked on small engines through his FFA chapter, but he said getting hired was partially due to serendipity. He was named an American Star in Agricultural Placement Finalist at the 95th National FFA Convention and Expo.

He shares more with Broadcast Desk Intern Michelle Stangler.

Posted in 2022 Convention | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Case Edwards of Alabama Named American Star in Agricultural Placement Finalist

Haden Handley of West Virginia Named American Star in Agribusiness Finalist

There are around 50,000 square miles of lawns in the United States, meaning green grass is technically the nation’s largest irrigated crop by area — and for people like Haden Handley of Buffalo FFA in West Virginia, managing all that grass is a way of life.

For his supervised agricultural experience (SAE), Handley is the owner and operator of H&H Lawn Care & Landscaping in the Kanawha Valley. He provides mowing, trimming, fertilizing and weed control services in addition to doing landscaping design and installations. He was named an American Star in Agribusiness Finalist at the 95th National FFA Convention and Expo.

He shares more with Broadcast Desk Intern Michelle Stangler.

Posted in 2022 Convention | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on Haden Handley of West Virginia Named American Star in Agribusiness Finalist

Cotton Booker of Washington Named American Star in Agribusiness Finalist

Auctioneers are known for selling fast and talking faster, but most schools don’t offer classes in auctioneering. So, how do people get into the business? For folks like Cotton Booker, it starts the day you’re born.

Booker, a member of Colfax FFA in the state of Washington, is a third-generation auctioneer who now runs his own contract auctioneering business. He was named an American Star in Agribusiness Finalist at the 95th National FFA Convention and Expo.

He shares more with Broadcast Desk Intern Michelle Stangler.

 

Posted in 2022 Convention | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Cotton Booker of Washington Named American Star in Agribusiness Finalist

Danae Westra of California Named American Star in Agricultural Placement Finalist

Danae Westra of the Visalia-Central Valley Christian FFA in central California has a supervised agricultural experience (SAE) focused on researching cattle. She has measured growth, protein levels, milk production rates and more in several long-term experiments through the years, starting when she was in high school.

Learn more about the 2022 American Star Finalist in Agriscience alongside Broadcast Desk Intern, Lydia Johnson.

Posted in 2022 Convention | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on Danae Westra of California Named American Star in Agricultural Placement Finalist

Sydney Hefty of Indiana Recognized as American Star in Agriscience Finalist

Sydney Hefty of the Dekalb FFA Chapter in Indiana was recognized as an American Star in Agriscience finalist at the 95th National FFA Convention. Hefty’s SAE includes agriscience projects in multiple areas of research: mechanical science, plant science, social science and more. She has investigated wind energy, natural herbicides, hydroelectricity, and even public opinion on those three concepts. She explains that all of her projects focus on sustainability because it is prevalent and demanded more by consumers each year.

She shares the details of her project with Broadcast Desk Intern, Lydia Johnson.

Posted in 2022 Convention | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on Sydney Hefty of Indiana Recognized as American Star in Agriscience Finalist

2022 Wildlife Production and Management – Entrepreneurship/Placement Winner Trent Lane

Trent Lane Dowell of the Gallatin FFA Chapter in Missouri has a two-part supervised agricultural experience involving wildlife habitat management and deer feed mineral production.   He takes raw products and grinds them into a palatable mineral treat for deer to consume.   This mix of ingredients boosts the immune system and enables deer to fight off illnesses such as blue tongue and chronic wasting disease.   Dowell is supported by his parents, Ida and Trent.

Posted in 2022 Convention | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on 2022 Wildlife Production and Management – Entrepreneurship/Placement Winner Trent Lane