Gracey Pitchford of the Eustace FFA Chapter in Texas owns and manages a 36 head herd of registered Santa Gertrudis cattle on 160 acres of high-quality coastal pastureland, allowing her to run one head of cattle on 4.3 acres. Her herd began with a registered heifer named Daisy Duke gifted by her grandfather. After her show career, Daisy Duke became the foundation female of Pitchford’s herd, which now sits at 36 head. She is supported by her parents, Shana and Darrell, and her FFA advisors, Theresa Tindel, Steve Stegall, Makayla Arnold and Cyler Frost. Merck Animal Health and Rabo AgriFinance sponsor this proficiency.

She shares more with Broadcast Desk Intern Kailey Foster.

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Rachyl Kitten of the Slaton FFA Chapter in Texas owns and operates a swine feed milling business. She started her operation when she was in the eighth grade and the price of feed started to increase. Through in-depth research and interviews with numerous individuals in the feed and livestock industry, she has developed a line of feed that offers 16 percent, 18 percent, and 20 percent protein-medicated and un-medicated feeds. Kitten is supported by her parents, Bonnie and Kurt, and her FFA advisors, Adam Westbrook and Casey Jones. The National FFA Foundation and National FFA Organization sponsor this proficiency.

She shares more with Broadcast Desk Intern Michelle Stangler.

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Emily Wise of the Bakersfield Christian FFA Chapter in California works for Redhouse, an integrated agricultural family operation specializing in producing and selling grass-fed beef, poultry, almonds and honey. Her responsibilities include customer relations, product marketing and branding, processing online orders, and overseeing distribution to local companies. Today, she is a team leader, starting just four years ago in shelf-stocking. Wise is supported by her parents, Debbie and Geordy, and her FFA advisor, Tanya Bidabe Love. Cargill, Fastenal and Wilbur-Ellis sponsor this proficiency.

She shares more with Broadcast Desk Intern Kailey Foster.

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Justin Preece of the Urbana FFA Chapter in Ohio became passionate about this supervised agricultural experience (SAE) area after driving his grandfather’s John Deere 3020. He jumped at the chance for a job at his local Case IH dealer, even though they only needed someone to clean about the shop. After two months, however, he began detailing new and used farm equipment for the shop. Preece has since advanced into assembling augers. He has accepted a full-time position as a lead technician for their Kubota line and certified welder. He is supported by his parents, Michelle Adams and Brian Preece, and his FFA advisors, Stephen Wilhelm and Mallory Zachrich. John Deere sponsors this proficiency.

He shares more with Broadcast Desk Intern Michelle Stangler.

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Kendra Goplin of the Whitehall FFA Chapter Wisconsin began her supervised agricultural experience (SAE) by helping teach third-graders about agriculture safety for an agricultural literacy program. She assists in coaching a middle school quiz bowl team and creating educational displays at both the county and state fairs. She also coordinates ag literacy activities in her school district, reaching students from pre-kindergarten to sixth grades. Goplin is supported by her parents, Melinda and Shane, and her FFA advisor, Melinda Goplin. CHS and Harris Products Group-A Lincoln Electric Company sponsor this proficiency.

She shares more with Broadcast Desk Intern Kailey Foster.

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Brady Walker of the Tift County FFA Chapter in Georgia works at Docia Farms, growing 850 acres of peanuts and 1,200 acres of cotton on sandy loam soils. His normal duties include harrowing in front of the peanut planter, planting, spreading fertilizer, and land plaster in the spring. During summers, he works full-time scouting crops, spraying crops, and mowing between fields. Walker operates the nut buggy or bowl bugging during harvest season. He is supported by his parents, Amanda and Gator, and his FFA advisors, Carl Nichols, Lynne Cook, Brittaney Schwing, Heath Cross and Ashley Thoron. Bunge and CHS sponsor this proficiency.

Drake Williams of the Cherokee FFA Chapter in Oklahoma has been buying and re-selling various breeds of goats, sheep and exotic animals for three years. He attends sales throughout the area to purchase bred nannies and replacement bucks for resale helping his customers build superior herds. He’s sold to families in Nebraska, Oklahoma, Texas, Kansas, Arkansas and Missouri. He has resold more than 1,000 head of sheep, goats and exotic animals. Williams is supported by his parents, Dana and Aaron, and his FFA advisor, Christy Snider. Nutrien Ag Solutions and Valent USA Corporation sponsor this proficiency.

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Lashawna Vogel of the Denmark FFA Chapter in Wisconsin has become an expert at communicating information and ideas with her larger community and FFA chapter. Leading up to National FFA Week, she writes articles reflecting on each of her chapter’s annual events for a newspaper to educate her village about FFA. Using Snapchat, Instagram, Facebook and YouTube, she manages the social media outlets to tell the story of agricultural education. Vogel is supported by her parents, Patti and Steve, and her FFA advisors, Marty Nowak and Mary Handrich. Bader Rutter and Associates, Inc., and Red Brand sponsor this proficiency.

She shares more with Broadcast Desk Intern Michelle Stangler.

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Listen to 2020-2021 National FFA Secretary Anna Mathis deliver her retiring address…

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