Mackenzie Camacho from Madera, California was selected as one of the top four finalists of the American Star in Agriscience for her work with pathogens in row crops. She shares more with Broadcast Desk Intern Kailey Foster.
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INDIANAPOLIS (Friday, Oct. 29 2021/National FFA Organization) – An ag science course in Chase Krug’s freshman year of high school introduced him to FFA and led him down a path of agricultural research. He now has over a dozen research projects and an international research experience under his belt.
“I’m originally from a suburban background, so I’ve never had formal experience in agriculture through my family,” Chase said.
Chase, from the Linn-Mar FFA Chapter in Iowa, says while his research has varied, he’s focused mostly on plant science and plant breeding. One of his favorite agriscience experiences took place on the other side of the world.
“I was able to be an intern at the World Vegetable Center in Hyderabad, India,” Chase said. “I lived in India for a summer and got to do international research with great professionals from around the world.”
The research Chase did in India concerned bruchid beetles, which eat mung beans in storage. He looked at what biomolecules in mung beans prevent bruchid beetles from eating them.
“That was a really great experience, and it really shows the impact of taking your research and having an applied component that helps someone instead of doing research just to fill our gap of knowledge — it also contributes to the betterment of society directly,” Chase said.
Through his other research experiences, Chase has studied soybean drought tolerance, potatoes bred to resist Colorado potato beetles, the idea of cultivating Andean tuber crops in Lesotho, and more. Reflecting on his FFA career, Chase said learning how to do research in his ag classes and developing his leadership skills through FFA helped prepare him for a career in scientific research.
Right now, Chase is a student at Iowa State University, studying philosophy and agronomy. His future plans include earning a Ph.D. in plant breeding and focusing his work on public gardens.
“That avenue is what I’m looking toward to really impact both my interest in helping the public and educating the public about science and also conducting research to help either farmers, gardeners or the industry really move forward and become more sustainable. I hope one day that I actually create a public garden research institution somewhere in Iowa.”
He shares more with Broadcast Desk Intern Michelle Stangler.
About the American Star Awards
Each year at the National FFA Convention & Expo, four FFA members are honored with American Star Awards for outstanding accomplishments in FFA and agricultural education.
The American Star Awards, including American Star Farmer, American Star in Agribusiness, American Star in Agricultural Placement and American Star in Agriscience, are presented to FFA members who demonstrate outstanding agricultural skills and competencies through completion of an SAE. A required activity in FFA, an SAE allows students to learn by doing, by either owning or 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. were nominated by a panel of judges who then interviewed the finalists this fall. Four were named winners during the 94th National FFA Convention & Expo this year, which was held in Indianapolis. Winners received cash awards. Case IH, Elanco Animal Health and Syngenta sponsor the awards.
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Reese Wilson of the Stephenville FFA Chapter in Stephenville, Texas, was selected as one of the top four national finalists for the American Star in Agriscience. He has completed research projects on his sheep flock and undergraduate research at Texas Tech University. Reese discusses the details of his projects with Broadcast Desk Intern, Lydia Johnson.
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Listen to 2020-2021 Central Region Vice President Paxton Dahmer deliver his retiring address…
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Emily Acevedo from Starke, Florida was selected as one of the top four finalists of the American Star in Agriscience for her work in goat reproduction. She shares more with Broadcast Desk Intern Kailey Foster.
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Mason Haworth of the Visalia-Central Valley Christian FFA Chapter in California works for Curly Farms, his family’s catfish hatchery. The hatchery houses approximately 7,000 catfish, including fry, fingerlings, and adult catfish, with a 2,000 by 200-foot six-foot deep pond and a hatchery building. They operate a no-kill facility and harvest fish between three and five pounds. During winter months, Haworth focuses on pond beautification and maintenance to ensure a proper ecosystem and living environment for the fish. He is supported by his parents, Christine and Matthew, and his FFA advisors, Kelsey de Jong, Frank Orique and Michelle Maciel. Tractor Supply Company is the sponsor of this proficiency.
He shares more with Broadcast Desk Intern Michelle Stangler.
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Savanah Downs of the Bakersfield-Bakersfield Christian FFA Chapter in California started Downs Family Farm in 2018, growing three varieties of cut flowers. Today, she grows more than thirty flower varieties, including but not limited to zinnias, sunflowers, cosmos, celosia and dahlias. She cares for her plans from seed to market, exchanging labor around the house for water costs. Downs has installed an 8×12 foot greenhouse in which she can start her seedlings. She is supported by her parents, Jennifer and Austin, and her FFA advisor, Tanya Bidabe Love. The National FFA Foundation and the National FFA Organization sponsor this proficiency.
She shares more with Broadcast Desk Intern Michelle Stangler
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Zoe Parrott of the Northmor FFA Chapter in Ohio watched her father raise sheep when she was a child and became inspired to follow in his footsteps. Her project consists of 24 ewes that are mainly Hampshire and Hamp crosses, three replacement ewe lambs, one Hamp cross ram, and one Hampshire cross ram. The Hamp cross ram was produced by Parrott using laparoscopic artificial insemination. She is supported by her parents, Patty and Ken, and her FFA advisor, Ken Parrott. The National FFA Foundation and the National FFA Organization sponsor this proficiency.
She shares more with Broadcast Desk Intern Michelle Stangler.
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INDIANAPOLIS (Friday, Oct. 29, 2021/National FFA Organization) – The Commerce Middle School FFA Chapter of Georgia was named Premier Chapter: Building Communities during the fifth general session of the 94th National FFA Convention & Expo this year, held in Indianapolis.
Commerce Middle School FFA created PVC trees to promote fishing habitats and attract fish to certain areas of ponds and lakes. These artificial fish attractors were made from PVC pipe, a bucket, and concrete and were donated to the local Hard Labor Creek State Park. The park itself will benefit from increasing fish populations and will encourage a more diverse ecosystem.
The National Chapter Award program recognizes outstanding FFA chapters that actively implement the organization’s mission and strategies. These chapters improve chapter operations using the National Quality FFA Chapter Standards and a Program of Activities that emphasizes growing leaders, building communities, and strengthening agriculture. Chapters are rewarded for providing educational experiences for the entire membership.
National FFA recognizes the top chapters with innovative activities in each of the three divisions: growing leaders, building communities and strengthening agriculture. Chapters that receive three-star ratings during judging are eligible to compete for the premier chapter awards. Ten FFA chapters competed for the honor. Commerce Middle FFA was recognized as the winner during the fifth general session on Friday, Oct. 29.
John Deere sponsors the National Chapter Award program. General convention sessions are aired live on RFD-TV and The Cowboy Channel. FFA members and supporters can tune in and watch gavel-to-gavel coverage of the event. To learn more, visit Convention.FFA.org.
Learn more about the program with Broadcast Desk Intern, Lydia Johnson.
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Brett Montgomery of the Brookfield FFA Chapter in Missouri grew up with a father and grandfather who were both veterinarians, so it was an easy choice for him to choose a supervised agricultural experience (SAE). As a veterinary assistant, he typically works three days after school and some weekends. His tasks include animal examinations, prepping animals and tools for surgery, administering shots and organ medications, and more. He also accompanies the veterinarians on emergency farm calls to pull calves, do C-sections, fix prolapses, and treat sick livestock. Montgomery is supported by his parents, Valerie and Ryan, and his FFA advisor, Jessica Dobrzenski. The National FFA Foundation and the National FFA Organization sponsor this proficiency.
He shares more with Broadcast Desk Intern Kailey Foster.
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