A fourth-generation farmer, Jakob Weinheimer of the Claude FFA Chapter in Texas started helping on the farm before he was nine years old, given the task of operating the grain cart.  The family operation has 8,000 acres, much of which is devoted to corn, wheat, millet and milo.  Weinheimer regularly maintains the equipment and, during harvest, continues to operate the grain cart.

He is supported by his parents, Samantha and Jarret and his advisors, Jessica Koetting and Garrett Scitern. Sponsored by Wilbur-Ellis Company.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Augustus C. Holt of the LaRue County FFA Chapter in Kentucky works in a logging operation with his father. He has several responsibilities, including cutting logs to size, loading logs onto the truck, pulling logs in the skidder or dozer, clearing creek beds, and maintaining equipment. In order to legally cut roads and drag logs, loggers have to prevent erosion and keep waterways clean. After finishing his service with the Marine Corps Reserves, Holt plans to get a degree in forestry from the University of Kentucky.

He is supported by his parents, Cara and Matthew and his FFA advisors Misty Bivens and Chris Thomas. Sponsored by John Deere.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Duncan Patton of the Madison County High School FFA Chapter in Georgia started his supervised agricultural experience (SAE) with only basic beef cattle management skills that he picked up while riding with his dad to work the family’s cattle herd:  feeding cattle, pasture rotation, opening a tractor and bush hog, and building fences. He’s taken on many more responsibilities as time progressed, including vaccinating and deworming cattle, managing nutrition requirements, weaning cattle. And more. Patton is supported by his parents, Melanie and Jim and his FFA advisors Kathrine Bell, Kalie Hall Blevins, Josh Daniel and Cindy Jones. Sponsored by Zoetis.

Carissa Larry interviews Dylan for an inside look .

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Niamh Sexton of the Waupaca FFA Chapter in Wisconsin has a passion for horses that began at a very young age, beginning to ride horses at the age of two. She acquired her first horse when she was five years old; a Cob Pony named Moon. Today, she owns three quarter horse geldings and she is active in many equine clubs and groups.

Sexton is supported by her parents, Melissa and Gearoid, and her FFA advisors, Rene Lehman and Jenifer Erb. Sponsored by Zoetis and Red Brand.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Riley Luginbill of the Stillwater FFA Chapter in Oklahoma has conducted three research projects designed to improve the performance of racehorses. Her initial project tested horses’ cardiovascular health based on which feed ration would best maintain a quicker recovery rate in performance horses. Her most recent project evaluated three types of iron boosting supplements for horses to determine which can best maintain a steady level of red blood cell counts to prevent anemia. Luginbill is supported by her parents, Jeannie and Bryan and her advisors Robby Branscum, Bailey Kliewer and Carl Nipper. Sponsored by Zoetis.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Cameron Matthews of the Shenandoah FFA Chapter in Indiana has a supervised agricultural experience (SAE) that includes the production, marketing, and sale of a wide variety of plants and other services he offers. In 2018, he raised and marketed 406 hardy mums, 500 zonal cut geraniums, 400 seed geraniums, 104 decorative cabbage plants, 300 petunias, 800 gourds, and more. He also tilled eleven gardens and mowed six and a half acres. Matthews has also learned how to advertise, utilizing social media and farmers markets to do business.

He is supported by his father, Shawn, and his FFA advisors, Caroline Kuhn, Steve Hickey, and Tammie Gadberry. Sponsored by The Toro Company.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Joanna Frankenberg of the New Bremen FFA Chapter in Ohio works on her family’s dairy farm, assisting in the management of a 120 Holstein cow herd and an additional 120 heifers. They also farm 480 acres of land, including corn, grass hay, soybeans, and wheat – all of which goes directly into feeding and caring for the herd. Frankenberg started helping on the farm at the age of five. She’s learned much about emerging technology related to the farm, including robotic management, no-till, and more.

She is supported by her parents, Kathryn and Steven, and her FFA advisor, Maria Homan. Sponsored by Kuhn North America.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Trey Denny of the Detroit FFA Chapter in Texas is a third-generation rancher who utilizes breeding cattle and market steers to produce high-quality beef using sound management practices efficiently. His grandfather gave him three commercial cows when he was two years old. Today, he is the proud owner of 67 commercial females, two commercial herd bulls, 33 registered Red Angus cows, as well as 88 commercial and 24 registered replacement females.

Denny is supported by his parents, Tracy and Todd, and his FFA advisors, Tracy Denny and Morris Mortensen. Sponsored by Merck Animal Health and Rabo AgriFinance.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Jessica Brogdon of the Walnut Grove FFA Chapter in Georgia works for a local florist. She works in the sales shop, constructs floral arrangements, and assists with daily deliveries. From the florist, she arned how to design arrangements, increasing her skills to also work at weddings and special events like ceremonies and receptions. Brogdon is supported by her parents, Paula and Shawn, and her FFA advisors, Abby Needham-Nash and Kelly Shaw. Sponsored by Cargill/Provimi and Fastenal.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Brayden Ingram of the Har-ber FFA Chapter in Arkansas has worked at the War Eagle Processing Plant since he was in the ninth grade. Local cattle and pig farmers comprise most of the operation’s customers. When the farmers drop off their animals, instructions are written down as to how the meat should be cut and packaged. Ingram’s duties include sorting the live animals and moving them toward the kill chute.

He is supported by his parents, Stephanie and Mike, and his FFA advisors, Patti Priest, Seth Jones, Jonathan Roberts and Justin Mitchell. Sponsored by National FFA Foundation & National FFA Organization.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download