“I come out here and I see the thousands and thousands of students, people. It says these young people are some of the best and brightest in the United States. Seeing these people out here and the people that support them, it gives you hope.”
-Lee Hevner
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“I’m very humbled by receiving this award. I don’t feel like I’ve done that much to deserve it. There are certainly plenty of people out there who have done a lot more to deserve it.”
-Archie Matthews
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US Education Secretary Betsy Devos greeted FFA members and guests at fourth general session of the 90th National FFA Convention and Expo…
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INDIANAPOLIS (Thursday, Oct. 26, 2017/National FFA Organization) – Growing up on the family farm, Joseph Arnold of Holloway, Minn., knew early on that he wanted to pursue a career in agriculture.
When Arnold joined FFA and began learning even more about the industry through classes, he realized working on the farm would be perfect for his supervised agricultural experience (SAE). In the process, Arnold discovered he needed to diversify his crops to sustain his operation.
As part of his process, he invested in shares of stock in the Southern Minnesota Beet Sugar Cooperative. He then researched the possibility of growing additional varieties of beans and other produce. As a result, today his operation yields corn, soybeans, navy beans, kidney beans and sugar beets.
For the past four years, Arnold has farmed and controlled every aspect of the production and marketing of his crops. He also strives to learn new ways to improve his operation. This persistence and drive have earned him the honor of being named 2017 American Star Farmer.
“In high school I learned a bit about the business side as well as the mechanical side,” Arnold says. “I then strengthened that knowledge with my college education. It helped me be valuable to our farm operation, knowing these skills prior and having the work ethic to learn everything.”
Arnold takes pride in the operation and works to ensure it is the best it can be. He also realizes that his efforts help feed the world.
“If people didn’t need food, we wouldn’t have a job,” Arnold says. “I try to make the best products we can on the least amount of ground, on the least amount of input to try to be more sustainable and keep up with the growing demand for food.”
He also enjoys seeing his work’s connection to the broader agricultural picture. “It’s kind of neat to open up a can of Busch beans and know that this could have come from my farm.”
Arnold appreciates the experiences and knowledge he has gained through FFA. “It really put me a step ahead of those who didn’t have those opportunities.”
Listen to the interview with Joe from Corryn La Rue…
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Listen to National Secretary Victoria Harris share her retiring address, “Worth It.”
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INDIANAPOLIS (Thursday, Oct. 26, 2017/National FFA Organization) – Since third grade, Chrysta Beck of Archbold, Ohio, has raised broilers and layers to sell meat and egg products to local customers. As she got older and joined FFA, she developed a supervised agricultural experience (SAE) that would look into the health of poultry. But what started as research to assist her with personal production goals soon developed into a project with a vastly larger scope. It focused on U.S. and global poultry production and welfare.
Beck’s work began when she was in ninth grade and started looking closely into broiler production factors and exactly how the birds grew. She also learned how to determine meat quality. By her senior year, Beck was investigating alternative methods for replacing antibiotics.
“I was looking into the gut health of the chick,” Beck says. “I was looking into the microbiology of chickens and doing probiotic research.”
In her lab trials, Beck has been testing different types of bacteria to determine their viability. Through in ovo technology, a probiotic is injected into a developing embryo prior to it having any contact with harmful bacteria in the external environment. This allows the chicken’s gut to contain beneficial bacteria when it hatches, rather than being subjected to harmful bacteria after hatching.
“In theory, the harmful bacteria doesn’t have the opportunity to inhabit the broilers’ gastrointestinal tract, since a beneficial bacteria is already there,” Beck explains. “I want to help the bird from Day One to have an extra boost.”
Beck says that from her work over the past six years she is discovering the future of the poultry industry and conducting studies she has only dreamed of. “It’s important that we have this research so we can understand the future of this industry,” she adds.
This research has earned her top honors as she has been named a 2017 American Star in Agriscience.
Beck is currently studying at Mississippi State University and plans to return to the industry as a poultry vet. She credits her advisor and FFA Alumni for helping her and inspiring her interest. “FFA helped me with leadership skills and public speaking,” Beck says. “It was very beneficial.”
For those looking to pursue an SAE, she offers the following advice: “Do not be afraid to try something different. Do not be afraid to stand out, even though it may be a little uncomfortable at the time.”
Beck is the daughter of Beth Ann and David. She is a member of the Pettisville FFA Chapter, led by advisor John Poulson.
Listen to Corryn LaRue’s interview with Chrysta Beck…
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INDIANAPOLIS (Thursday, Oct.26, 2017/National FFA Organization) – When Kellie Einck was a youngster, she found horsepower and torque far more interesting than playing dress up. The Paullina, Iowa, resident’s fascination with engine mechanics eventually led her to take agriculture and power in addition to other technical courses while she was in FFA. And the combination helped fuel her desire to become an engineer.
For her supervised agricultural experience (SAE), Einck worked at a small car garage as a general mechanic and service technician in her hometown of Primghar, Iowa. Then she went to diesel tech school at a community college in town. There she enjoyed the hands-on work of mechanical engineering.
Einck’s experience with agriculture was limited while she was growing up, but most everyone in her family drove trucks. “They hauled livestock, so to an extent it was agriculture, but getting in this field has broadened my horizon. There’s crops, animals and custom work on top of it,” she says.
Einck decided to look into a career that focused on mechanics, perhaps mechanical engineering. She began taking classes for a two-year degree in diesel technology Now she works as a general mechanic and service technician for Randy’s Services and ICON Ag and Turf.
Einck says FFA helped her with her communication skills and her ability to promote herself and her work in what is typically a male-dominated field. She mentions that other obstacles she has had to overcome included physical feats based on the size and weight of machinery and other mechanical components.
She says she has gained an immeasurable amount of mechanical knowledge as a result of working on more than 30 different models, all systems of a tractor and engine and serviceable parts of a combine.
“I say if you heart’s in it, go for it,” Einck says. “Each step I took had its own challenges, but each success gave me a giant boost of confidence to go on to the next thing. It takes courage, perseverance and optimism to keep pushing on. ”
Her dedication to the profession has earned her the honor of being named 2017 American Star in Agricultural Placement.
Listen to Thomas Shaw’s interview with Kellie Einck…
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INDIANAPOLIS (Thursday, Oct.26, 2017/National FFA Organization) – Since the invention of the push mower, cutting the grass represents a rite of passage for many kids. The only difference for Austin Nordyke was that his mower’s puttering speed propelled him to find a faster way to get the job done. And in 2012, this determination drove him to launch his own lawn maintenance operation—Austin Nordyke’s Lawn Care Service. It currently serves a healthy customer base in southwestern Kansas.
Nordyke began his business when he was in eighth grade, as part of his supervised agricultural experience (SAE). He soon realized that with all of the yards he was mowing, one simple mower would not allow him to keep up with the volume. So he purchased a zero-turn lawn mower. This allowed him to be more efficient and take on more yards. In addition, he invested in more backup mowers and soon was taking care of 65 lawns.
Though the money-making aspect first motivated him, all the opportunities that came with the business impressed him even more. “Over the last five years, I’ve been able to start my own business and successfully manage it,” Nordyke says. “I’ve been doing everything from bill-paying and basic accounting to taking care of my taxes.”
For Nordyke, his achievement is about more than just his business. It is also about his leadership skills and critical-thinking skills he credits FFA for developing. “I was always interested in the leadership activities that FFA offered, and it has benefitted me not only through high school, but through my first year of college,” Nordyke says. “The skills I’ve learned through FFA and through my business will stay with me throughout the rest of my life.”
The Hugoton, Kan., resident is currently studying engineering technology management at Wichita State University. “With my business background in lawn care, I found this pathway. While it’s a lot of engineering, it also involves business.”
Nordyke points out that his experience with FFA and with his business also helped him with a project in one of his college classes, where he had to develop an innovative product design. “All through that opportunity I was able to use my organizational skills, and eventually transition to team lead for the project.” Today his business has earned Nordyke top honors as he has been named 2017 American Star in Agribusiness.
As for Nordyke’s words of advice to FFA members hoping to start an SAE project: “Do it! If you have the aspiration, go for it.”
Nordyke is the son of Shannon and Paul. He is a member of the Hugoton FFA Chapter, led by advisor Les McNally.
Listen to Thomas Shaw’s interview with Austin Nordyke…
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When Nick Vollmer joined FFA as a freshman, the last sentence of the FFA Creed spoke to him in a big way. The words that changed the course of his future are simple, yet profound: “I believe that American agriculture can and will hold true to the best traditions of our national life and that I can exert an influence in my home and community which will stand solid for my part in that inspiring task.”
During that year, it inspired him to become involved in production agriculture as part of his supervised agricultural experience (SAE) and start a cow/calf operation.Vollmer had always had a passion for working with cattle. His compassion for his animals shows in the way he treats them. “I try to imagine what it would be like to be them,” he says. “I think about the conditions they live in, what I feed them, and how I work the cattle. If I don’t like it, I find a better way. I always keep them and their attitudes at the forefront.”
The Merino, Colo., resident credits his FFA advisor for also helping him with the success of his cattle operation. “Seeing the work ethic from my advisor inspires me,” he says. “He’s always pushed me and always expected the best of me. Just seeing what he does for each student, putting in 100 percent, makes me realize that I can put 110 percent into everything I do.”
“Preparation is the biggest key, I learned through my SAE,” Vollmer says, “And future planning—knowing your goals—is important.”
That planning and preparation has earned Vollmer the honor of being named a 2017 finalist for American Star Farm.
Growing up on a family farm inspired Vollmer, but what drives him now is knowing of all the opportunity that awaits him in agriculture. “I think agriculturists are more important now than they’ve ever been,” Vollmer says. “Being able to stay on the family farm, maybe I can make a difference. It keeps you on your feet and it is enjoyable. And the thing about agriculture is that you build a community.”
Vollmer’s future plans include finishing his degree at Northeaster Junior College and obtaining a degree in agricultural business and animal science.
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