Nicholas Perreault of the Killingly FFA Chapter in Connecticut is the aquaculture lab manager for his school district. With 1,000 tilapia fish, 50 koi and various other aquatic organisms including tropical fish and a turtle, he manages the lab after school, on weekends and during school breaks. His responsibilities include daily maintenance and managing all the systems to ensure the health and growth of the fish. Nicholas plans to work in the environmental sciences field. He is supported by his parents, Lynn and Michael, and his FFA advisors, Ken Couture, Bonnie Kegler, Courtney Cardinal, Rebecca Pond and Bethany Knowlton. This award is sponsored by the National FFA Foundation and National FFA Organization.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Kam Childers of the Thomas Walker FFA Chapter in Virginia has an obsession with dogs that began when he was six years old, watching his first set of puppies being born. He has worked with border collies and raccoon hunting dogs. His duties have included helping with feeding, watering and cleaning kennels. He also regularly checks the health of the animals while training, caring for and managing the hunting dogs and sheep herding collies. Kam plans to study at Northern Oklahoma College, then earn a degree in agriculture sales and marketing at Virginia Tech. He is supported by his parents, April and Blake, and his FFA advisor, Robbie Cope. This award is sponsored by Elanco Animal Health and Tractor Supply Company.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Mikara Anderson of the Southern Huntingdon County FFA Chapter in Pennsylvania owns and operates a market lamb business and registered breeding flock. Since her sister introduced her to the lamb and wool industry, she has fallen in love with the opportunity to compete in the show ring and to raise a lamb from birth to maturity. Her current flock consists of ten brood ewes — eight of which are Hampshires registered through the American Hampshire Association — two stud ewes, and one Hampshire lamb. Mikara plans to attend Pennsylvania State University to study government law and Spanish. She plans to maintain her purebred sheep flock. She is supported by her parents, Holly and Gerald, and her FFA advisor, Rebecca Sellers. This award is sponsored by the National FFA Foundation and National FFA Organization.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Trenton Michael Thomas of the Goshen FFA Chapter in Alabama grew up helping on the family’s poultry farm. He works in eight broiler houses on a daily basis, working with 158,270 birds. His duties include managing the operation, monitoring and addressing problems, culling birds early in the growing process, as well as maintaining interior equipment, air quality, water, feed and ventilation systems. Trenton plans to attend Auburn University and study agribusiness management and poultry science. He is supported by his parents, Angie and Chris, and his FFA advisors, Cody Eiland and Jamie Rich. This award is sponsored by Tractor Supply Company and U.S. Poultry & Egg Association.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Joshua Loew of the Cumberland Regional FFA Chapter in New Jersey works at Beaver Dam Boat Rentals, a small business that consists of 20 row boats that can be rented for use at the local creek. Joshua focuses on ecotourism, working as a tour guide. He drives a boat into the marsh to observe natural scenery and to catch blue claw crabs. From his experience, he’s developed leadership, teamwork, customer service and critical thinking skills. He hopes to become a biological scientist in the future, studying animal species and ecosystems. He is supported by his parents, Tiffany and William, and his FFA advisor, Patricia Thorne. This award is sponsored by Yamaha Motor Corporation USA.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Darin Paul Knobloch of the West Lyon Community FFA Chapter in Iowa loved spending time in his parents’ greenhouse when he was a child. Today, he is involved in the actual production of plants, including mixing soil, seeding, cuttings, transplanting, potting, labeling plants and more. He also works in the retail store, honing customer service and people skills. Darin plans to pursue a degree in horticulture and business management, eventually taking over the family business. He is supported by his parents, Beth and Myron, and his FFA advisors, Craig Winquist and Shauna Kill. This award is sponsored Nufarm Americas.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Joshua Meixell of the Smyrna FFA Chapter in Delaware works for his father’s landscaping company. For over 25 clients, he installs and maintains lawns and landscapes throughout his state. His tasks have included mowing, weed and edge trimming, mulching, planting various types and sizes of plants and bushes, installing hardware features and snow removal. Joshua hopes to earn a degree in civil engineering and eventually take over the family lawn care business with his brother. He is supported by his parents, Wendy and Walter, and his FFA advisors, Keith Shane, Jay Davis, Kellie Michaud and Sarah Bell. This award is sponsored by Briggs and Stratton Corporation, Inc. and Tractor Supply Company.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Ben Murray of the Berrian FFA Chapter in Georgia works for his county’s Chamber of Commerce and is an assistant to the economic development coordinator. Through his efforts, he has worked to develop activities that have spurred economic growth in his community. These events include a harvest festival, rodeo and “Shop Small Town” events. Ben also volunteers with FFA, 4-H and his church. He plans on attending the University of Georgia to pursue a degree in agriculture business. He is supported by his parents, Leasa and Gregg, and his FFA advisors, Blake Kendrick, Garvie Nichols, Rebekah Dunn and Scott Johnson. This award is sponsored by Carhartt, Inc.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Joel Baltazar Mendoza of the Hamilton City FFA Chapter in California has a supervised agricultural experience that includes rice field preparation, planting trials, collecting field data and harvesting the crop. Starting his freshman year, he began working with his father as a rice researcher. Starting with simpler tasks, Joel eventually learned to spray, irrigate, clean and dry seed, ship and harvest. He hopes to major in plant science at California State University at Chico. He is supported by his parents, Lorena and Baltazar, and his FFA advisors, Janice Lohse and Ryan Bentz. This award is sponsored by BASF.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Jaclynn Knutson of the Viborg FFA Chapter in South Dakota had already purchased 61 acres of land by the time she joined FFA. Since that time, she’s bought about 37 and rented an additional 137. With crop rotation, she has grown corn, wheat, soybeans and cover crops. Jaclynn employs no-tillage and soil conservation and has seen her operation flourish. She is attending South Dakota State University, pursuing a degree in agricultural communications. She is supported by her parents, Alicia and Jason, and her FFA advisor, John Rist. This award is sponsored by Valent USA Corporation.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download