Will Cornelius of the Nettleton FFA Chapter in Mississippi began his project when he was in the seventh grade. He raises high-quality commercial does that are used to raise show wethers and breeding does. He is responsible for all facets of his club goat operation, including the selection of breeding stock, planning matings, selecting feed and hay and maintaining optimum herd health. Cornelius is supported by his FFA advisor, Jesse Cornelius. This award is sponsored by Bekaert Corporation and Tractor Supply Company.

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Seth Stone of the Chandle FFA Chapter in Oklahoma works for his family’s 150-acre pecan orchard where he helps with the daily and annual maintenance of 175 young trees and approximately 1,500 producing trees. Currently, Stone is developing flower plots to attract beneficial insects to determine if insecticide usage can be reduced. He wants to graft and further develop some of the pecan varieties in the orchard. He is supported by his FFA advisor, Brian Womack. This award is sponsored by Corteva Agriscience, Agriculture Division of DowDuPont.

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Curtis Jackson of the Jones County FFA Chapter in Gray, Ga., works alongside his father and grandfather in two different timber companies. The majority of his time is spent operating the skidder, however, he is able to utilize all the equipment and support the operations in any conceivable way.  Jackson plans to attend Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College and major in Forestry. He is supported by his FFA advisors, Joe Thornton, Mark Smith and Callie Lankford. This award is sponsored by John Deere.

Listen to Bronson Teichert’s conversation with Curtis here.

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Hannah Strain of the Rolla FFA Chapter in Missouri works for a beef cattle operation that focuses on forage production. Her work can be divided into two different areas, one being management of intensive grazing for the cattle herd and the second being producing over 200 acres of quality hay for use in a beef cattle operation. She is supported by her FFA advisors, Cord Jenkins and Randy Stockstill. This award is sponsored by Claas of America.

Listen to Hannah’s interview with Alex Voichoskie.

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Grace McClain of the Habersham Ninth Grade Academy FFA Chapter in Mount Airy, Ga., and her family inherited a cider company that led her to develop an interest in food science. Her work at the mill requires her to use microbiology to ensure a safe product while also developing new products. She utilizes pasteurization to kill microorganisms and lend a longer shelf life to the product. McClain is supported by her FFA advisor, Zach Free. This award is sponsored by National FFA Foundation and National FFA Organization.

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Sarah Lehner of the Buckeye Valley – DACC FFA Chapter in Delaware, Ohio, leases 20 acres of land each year to grow soybeans. In exchange for working on her family’s hay operation, she is allowed to use their equipment to plan, harvest and haul her soybeans. Through her endeavors, she has learned to independently choose the variety of soybeans to plant and operate all the necessary machinery. Lehner is supported by her FFA advisor, Alex Zimmer. This award is sponsored by Bunge North America.

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Rhine Brady of the White County High School FFA Chapter in Cleveland, Ga., is the owner of RB Performance horses. Over the last six years, he has managed, trained and sold stock horses to primarily be used in team roping competitions. His responsibilities include purchasing and managing the horses, health care, vaccinating, nutrition balancing, training and marketing. Once he feels a horse is ready to be sold, Brady takes them to roping competitions for exposure and to advertise their sale. He is supported by his FFA advisors, Amanda Keener, Dustin Keener and Zachary Dalton. This award is sponsored by Red Brand.

Listen to Bronson Teichert’s conversation with Rhine here.

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Jacob Blank of the Richland FFA Chapter in Missouri works with 24 Quarter Horses and three gaited horses. His work with them includes showing, training, facilitating both therapeutic and novice lessons, in addition to managing their health and nutrition.  Blank works at two locations, a horse ranch and the University of Missouri Equine Facility. He plans to pursue a degree in agricultural education while also establishing his own therapeutic and novice riding stables, as well as a small breeding operation. He is supported by his FFA advisor, Shane Kardosz. This award is sponsored by Tarter Farm & Ranch Equipment and Tractor Supply Company.

Listen to Jacob’s interview with Alex Voichoskie.

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Brentley Odom of the Thomas County Central High School FFA in Moultrie, Ga., began his supervised agricultural experience (SAE) in the ninth grade while participating in his third agriscience project. That project started him down a road of conservation. The next year, he completed research testing on till and no-till farming practices. From there, he found a job with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. From this experience, Odom learned to survey, read water meters and pipe designs and use a laser system to map the slope and equilibrium of the land. He is supported by his FFA advisors, Nikki Smith, Donald Dalton, Ward Cole and Glen Gosier. This award is sponsored by CHS Foundation.

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At an early age, Murray Perkins of the Paris FFA Chapter in Buchanan, Tenn., developed a passion for raising and exhibiting livestock, particularly sheep and cattle. Each year, his lamb project begins by purchasing high quality club lambs and leasing commercial ewes. He will then resell the lambs to local showmen. Since the third grade, he’s grown a herd of 38 head of Shorthorn, ShorthornPlus, Angus and commercial cows. Perkins has a true passion that lies in the show ring. He loves washing, rinsing, clipping and training to have it all payoff in the ring. He is supported by his FFA advisors, Ryan Inman and Laura Moss. This award is sponsored by Tractor Supply Company and Wahl Clipper Corporation.

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