Rachel Sherman of the Big Walnut-DACC FFA Chapter in Ohio began her herd with a gift of one heifer from her parents. That one heifer grew to nine lactating cows and four heifers. She has grown her herd to be representative of all six main breeds of dairy cattle and has focused on strengthening her enterprise through the use of good management practices and continued use of genetic selection. Sherman is supported by her parents, Rose and Ken, and her FFA advisor, Jeffrey Stimmell. Sponsored by New Holland.

Carissa Larry sits with Rachel for more talk on her win .

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Brayden Schultz of the United South Central FFA Chapter in Minnesota works on his family’s cash crop farm, raising soybeans on a rotating basis on more than 1,500 acres. He is the fourth generation of his family to farm the land. Starting to help at the age of eight, he now is tasked with operating the semi to pull the grain, spraying, and tilling. Schultz applies hog manure to the fields to fertilize. He is supported by his parents, Kaprice and Jeff, and his FFA advisor, Dan Dylla. Sponsored by Bunge North America.

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Abigayle Bartholomew of the Lexington FFA Chapter in Tennessee has sows that have been linebred for 35 years but she also occasionally adds a new boar to increase genetic diversity. Her herd consists of 16 Duroc sows, seven replacement Duroc gilts, one crossbred sow, one replacement crossbred gilt, and one replacement Chester White gilt. Her day-to-day duties include feeding appropriate rations, repairing facilities, preparing show pigs for upcoming shows, and advertising to customers.

Bartholomew is supported by her parents, Angie and Derek, and her FFA advisor, Dakota Brasher. Sponsored by National FFA Foundation & National FFA Organization.

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Jacob Wuebker of the Versailles FFA Chapter in Ohio is the fourth generation to work on his family farm. The operation produces 1,000 acres of corn, soybeans, wheat, and alfalfa hay in addition to raising 2,000 sows from farrow to wean and 200 dairy steers on a feedlot. His tasks vary, ranging from feeding and breeding sows to servicing equipment and spreading and applying manure. Wuebker is supported by his parents, Dena and Jeff, and his FFA advisors, Dena Wuebker and Taylor Bergman. Sponsored by Firestone Ag and Ram Trucks.

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Caitlynn Oswald of the Deane Bozeman High School FFA Chapter in Florida has served as the leader of a project initiated with a partnership between her chapter and the St. Andrew Bay Resource Management Association. Together they’ve worked to improve wildlife habitat and maintain shoreline. Her efforts led to the restoration of more than 500 feet of shoreline in one of the most diverse ecosystems in North America. Oswald is supported by her parents, Brigget and Todd, and her FFA advisor, Becky Peltonen. Sponsored by CHS Foundation.

Carissa Larry sits and talks with Caitlynn about her huge accomplishment.

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Ryan Muggli of the Grant County FFA Chapter in North Dakota operates a farm of 790 acres, raising wheat, corn, soybeans, oil sunflowers, and rye. He started in 2015 with 210 acres after years of riding along in the tractor with his father and learning what it was to be a good farmer.  Every decision to be made in the operation is made by Muggli, including what to group, purchasing inputs like seed, fertilizer, and fuel, and more. He is supported by his parents, Andrea and Tim, and his FFA advisor, Pete Hetle. Sponsored by CHS Foundation.

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Katherine Mohr of the Twin River FFA Chapter in Nebraska has been a veterinary assistant for the last three years. She has assisted with equipment maintenance, restraining animals during procedures, cleaning kennels, and performing blood draws. Mohr’s skills have developed enough to allow her to perform a bovine caesarian section. She plans to return to the practice as a veterinarian after she’s earned her degree.

She is supported by her parents, Anne and Allan, and her FFA advisor, Kelsey Wetovick. Sponsored by National FFA Foundation & National FFA Organization.

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Dawson Peek of the Lowndes High FFA Chapter in Georgia works on the family’s 1,600-acre operation, offering guided quail hunts with dogs and sporting clay courses. The courses include a five stand with a wobble trap, a 225-yard rifle range, a 40-yard pistol range, and more. Peeks has learned to operate, maintain, and repair agricultural equipment, including trap machines, tractors, and mowers.

He is supported by his parents, Mary Catherine and John Sherman, and his FFA advisors, James Corbett, Quinton Hadsock and Anglia Crosby. Sponsored by Yamaha Motor Corporation USA.

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Mackenzie Camacho of the O’Neals-Minarets FFA Chapter in California has focused her research on testing and experimenting with bacteria, fungus and fungicides in fruit production.     Her first project had her testing the effectiveness of rinsing fruits and vegetables with tap water to remove bacteria, discovering that the process does not remove a significant amount. This led to focusing on a specific fungus that occurs in walnuts. Camacho is supported by her parents, Tammy and Brett, and her FFA advisors, Richard Chapman, Keeley Hall, Kristann Mattes, Kenna Sandberg, Jessica Sweet, and Kaitlyn McDonough. Sponsored by National FFA Foundation & National FFA Organization.

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Jase Hollas of the Schulenburg FFA Chapter in Texas began his supervised agricultural experience (SAE) when his father challenged him to do a better job caring for the yards than he had done. The next morning, he loaded a push mower, weed eater and supplies into the back of his truck and Hollas Lawn Care was started. His work was soon noticed by neighbors and he gained more clients. His responsibilities include installation of plans, mowing, maintaining records, and more.

Hollas is supported by his parents, Tonia and Shane, and his FFA advisors, Amanda Gibbs, Amy Hartman and Brad Lux. Sponsored by Briggs and Stratton Corporation, Inc.

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