Nathan Stewart of the East Clinton FFA Chapter in Leesburg, Ohio, owns and operates his own apiary and honey business, Bee Wild Honey Farm. His interest began when his parents started giving him a teaspoon of raw honey each morning to combat his allergies. A few years later, he began attending local beekeepers’ meetings with his brother. His first year, he purchased six established hives. Stewart currently has 25 hives in three different counties, producing more than 3,000 pounds of honey. He is supported by his FFA advisor, Matt Griffith. This award is sponsored by Zoetis.

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Tara Hummel of the Tri-Point FFA Chapter in Cabery, Ill., works for Select Exotics, an exotic cat breeding operation. Initially assigned to basic cleaning and feeding tasks, she has become an integral part of the team. She’s learned to handle the temperaments and ages of cats, parasite control, marketing or the operation, along with managerial aspects. Hummel plans to study animal science in college with the goal of eventually becoming a veterinarian. She is supported by her FFA advisor, Diana Loschen. This award is sponsored by Elanco Animal Health and Tractor Supply Company.

Listen to Bronson Teichert’s conversation with Tara here.

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JaLeigh Oldenburg of the Mulhall-Orlando FFA Chapter in Oklahoma began her supervised agricultural experience (SAE) when she was five years and her father gave her ten ewes. These ewes became the genetic nucleus of her stock as a Southdown breeder. She focuses on producing complete sheep with plenty of muscle and structural correctness. Oldenburg plans to obtain a degree in animal science while growing her own sheep flock. She is supported by her FFA advisor, Cody Johnson. This award is sponsored by National FFA Foundation and National FFA Organization.

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Alicia Montemayor of the James Madison FFA Chapter in San Antonio, Texas got into the poultry business when she received two fertilized eggs from a family friend. For the first eight years of her endeavor, she only raised production hens. She expanded her operation, however, and as of 2017, she has raised, bred, sold and shown production and exhibition heritage breeds such as Wyandotte Bantams, Brahmas and Plymouth Rocks. She currently owns a flock of approximately 30 breeding, 25 production and 35 exhibition chickens of various breeds and varieties. Montemayor is supported by her FFA advisors, Joshua Anderson, Lane Baker, Robyn Bandy and Katherine Dalton. This award is sponsored by Tractor Supply Company and U.S. Poultry & Egg Association.

Listen to Alicia’s interview with Alex Voichoskie.

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Kelby Rudd of the Stillwater FFA Chapter in Okla., leads guided hunts on public and private properties for Stillwater Outfitters. The locations, a 180-acre high fence preserve, an 800-acre high fence preserve, and a 2,000-acre low fence area, offer hunts for elk, whitetail deer, mule deer, turkey and ram. His day-to-day tasks include working to advertise the operate, scheduling hunts and lodging for prospective hunting guests and maintaining financial records. Rudd plans to study Rangeland Management at Oklahoma State University. He is supported by his FFA advisors Robby Branscum and Carl Nipper. This award is sponsored by Yamaha Motor Corporation USA.

Listen to Bronson Teichert’s conversation with Kelby here.

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Kirei Parks of the Tift County FFA Chapter in Tifton, Ga., was asked to water in the greenhouse at school one day, and while he came out soaking wet, he was hooked on the ability to grow things in a nursery. Since that day, he’s been a premier caretaker of the greenhouse and also works at a locally-owned nursery. Parks plans to attend the University of Georgia where he will major in horticulture and minor in biotechnology. He is supported by his FFA advisors, Carl Nichols, Lynne Cook, Heath Cross and Brittaney Schwing. This award is sponsored by Nufarm Americas.

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William Kellum of the Jefferson City FFA Chapter in Georgia owns half of Mason and Kellum Lawn Services, a company with 65 residential and commercial clients. What began as simply mowing lawns has turned into a full-service lawn care business including mowing, edging, weed control and more. Kellum has learned how to market his business and has also developed management skills, hiring ten student employees to work seasonally to assist in peak times of the year. He is supported by his FFA advisors, Melissa Webb and David Galloway. This award is sponsored by Briggs and Stratton Corporation, Inc. and Tractor Supply Company.

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Like many Americans, Wyatt Hancock of the Oologah FFA Chapter in Oklahoma has had his life touched by cancer. After losing his grandmother to the illness, he started volunteering with Tenaciously Teal, a non-profit that provides comfort during health care treatments. He’s organized five events to collect items for care packs and blankets that have been given to patients.He assembled more than 800 cancer care packs with items needed to support those experiencing chemotherapy. Hancock is supported by his FFA advisors Sammy Leonard and Kadie Smith. This award is sponsored by Carhartt, Inc.

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Brayden Schultz of the United South Central FFA Chapter in Wells, Minn., works on his family farm, growing 875 acres of corn and oats as a fourth-generation farmer. In the winter, he is charged with setup and fixing equipment to prepare for spring field work. He operates all the necessary equipment, from the Soil Warrior strip tillage machine to the grain cart while harvesting. Schultz will pursue a degree in precision agriculture and agricultural production. He is supported by his FFA advisor, Dan Dylla. This award is sponsored by National FFA Foundation and National FFA Organization.

Listen to Bronson Teichert’s conversation with Brayden here.

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Ben Smith of the Ravenwood FFA Chapter in West Virginia started his operation with six acres and had 60 acres last year. He harvests his corn with a Gleaner K2 combine that he purchased several years ago.  In 2015, he had 185 bushels per acre but has increased to 200 bushels per acre last year. Smith sells his sacked, shelled corn to deer hunters in the area. He is supported by his FFA advisor, Tara Tatalovich. This award is sponsored by Valent USA Corporation.

Listen to Ben’s interview with Alex Voichoskie.

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