A podcasting club in eighth grade to help students connect to one another led Nathan DeYoung to the future path of innovative communications and marketing.

The Middletown, Ind., resident plugged into social media when he joined FFA. Through his podcasting and social media experience, he developed a supervised agricultural experience (SAE) that focused on communications and marketing.

Today that experience has earned the Shenandoah FFA member the honor of being named a 2017 finalist for the American Star in Agribusiness.

During the first two years, DeYoung concentrated mostly on social media, but then his attention shifted to graphic design, mass communications and then marketing. He also works on web design along with videography and photography.

That culmination of skills has allowed him to be innovative on what he offers his clients. He created a business from the ground up and strives to meet his customers’ needs.

“I always try to instill trust with my clients and help them understand the process that is being used,” DeYoung says.

DeYoung credits FFA for everything from helping him be more decisive to acquiring customer service skills.

“When I first joined FFA, I was a reserved person and kind of shy. I wasn’t that person who would put myself out there and take risks,” DeYoung says. “But FFA taught me through classes and the experiences outside the classroom to take risks. And it’s those risks that have allowed me to push my SAE forward.”

DeYoung praises his advisors, Tammie Gadberry and Steve Hickey, for their encouragement and feedback they provided. He also credits his parents, Stephanie and Randy, for their support.

The Ball State University student is now pursuing a degree in telecommunications (news and meteorology). His advice to others is: “Don’t shy away from your dream. Don’t let your idea get shot down,” DeYoung says. “It might seem wild or crazy and may be kind of risky, but stick with your idea and progress with it. When I started seventh grade, I didn’t know this would grow into a communications business, but I knew it would make an impact. Just be be persistent with your thoughts and ideas.”

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For Bailey Wilson, agriculture holds a special meaning. And though the Pilot Point, Texas resident fondly recalls life on the farm, he knows all too well the hard and meaningful work to be done if it’s to be a successful operation.

“So many experiences as a young child sparked my interest in agriculture — the most exciting industry I know,” Wilson says.

His enthusiasm for the industry continued throughout his involvement in FFA and his supervised agricultural experience (SAE), tending and training horses at Rutledge Farms and Ranch.

Growing up in a family with strong roots in agriculture, Wilson had a broad and somewhat diverse knowledge of general agricultural practices and learned firsthand the skills necessary in production agriculture. But in addition to his hands-on experience, Wilson is grateful for the agriscience classes and FFA competitions. They provided an outlet for him to further expand his knowledge base of animal science and production agriculture.

Now a student manager at the Meat Lab at Tarleton State University, he helps with the harvest and production of meat products. Thanks to his time spent at the meat lab, he can now identify cuts of meat, and preferred cooking methods so he can also assist customers.

His dedication to his SAEs has earned him the honor of being named a 2017 finalist for the America Star in Agricultural Placement.

Wilson attributes his success in his SAE to his involvement in FFA. “FFA has helped me build a lot of confidence in myself,” Wilson says. “When I first started in FFA I couldn’t talk in front of a lot of people.”

His advice to others is easy to follow: Keep an open mind and don’t be afraid to work hard. While success takes a lot of hard work, it’s very rewarding if you put in the time and effort.

Wilson’s enthusiasm for agriculture remains strong, and he plans to pursue a master’s degree in animal science and seek a career in animal nutrition.

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When Matt Ries looks around at his family’s farrow-to-finish hog farm, his eyes behold more than just agriculture at work. He sees an opportunity to help feed the growing population of the world.

“I want to help make our farm more efficient and sustainable for our food supply,” Ries says. “To boost efficiency and sustainability, we’re going directly from the farm to the consumer. We’re providing fresh quality pork directly to the consumer.”

His determination and consistent efforts to find ways to help feed the world has earned him the honor of being named a 2017 finalist for the American Star in Agricultural Placement.

Growing up on his family’s farrow-to-finish hog farm, the Lomira, Wis., resident has always had a passion for raising and showing quality hogs. Ries remembers when, as a third-grader, he was given his first two hogs to raise and then show at the fair.

As he grew older, Ries was given more responsibility on the farm. Currently he is a full-time assistant manager at Ries Pure Breed Hog Farm. He hopes to eventually become the third-generation owner of the farm and continue the family tradition of raising quality market hogs.

As an FFA member, Ries was encouraged to participate in a supervised agricultural experience (SAE), and working on his farm seemed the perfect fit. Today he helps with the day-to-day chores and management of the operation, and it’s a tradition that he loves.

Ries credits FFA with teaching him the leadership skills to help him succeed. “FFA gives you a lot of opportunities to learn new things,” he says. “I’ve learned how to go outside my comfort zone and work with people.”

Over the long term, Ries sees a bright future for the farm and the possibility of building new facilities there that would make it more efficient. “I’d like to implement precision agriculture for monitoring systems while planting and harvesting, and variable rate application,” Ries says. “I’d also like to see us tiling fields so they can be planted at optimal times.”

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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 a 2017 finalist for the American Star in Agricultural Placement.

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The family business has always been a part of Devin Debruhl’s life. The Shirley, Ind., resident remembers spending early mornings going to work with his dad. At 10, he started helping around the shop and gradually picked up more responsibilities. By the time he was 16, he began working with his dad and brother on their pole barn crew.

As a result of his dedication, working at his family’s business became his supervised agricultural experience (SAE).

“Now I’ve transitioned into more of a leadership role,” Debruhl says. In 2014, Debruhl’s father sold the truss side of the business and began focusing on building pole barns. From this came Debruhl Pole Barn and Sons Company.

“It was a change to be out of the truss business, but I was excited to target the pole barn business,” Debruhl says. “We diversified and I formed a 50/50 partnership with my dad, Debruhl Truss Plate manufacturing.”

Debruhl’s experience has earned him the honor of being named a 2017 finalist for the American Star in Agricultural Placement.

Debruhl credits FFA for much of his success. “I learned a lot in my ag business class in terms of working with customers, and my ag mechanics class helped me in terms of the equipment we use,” he says. Debruhl became crew leader on the job site, and since high school he has been able to take jobs along with his own crew. He leads a team of three to four men and talks with customers to ensure that their needs are met for each project.

Remembering the importance of community and developing relationships are the keys to his success, according to Debruhl. “It’s important for the future of this business for you to start friendly and stay competitive with other people in the business,” Debruhl says.

He continues to invest in the company, with the hope that when his dad retires, he can take the reigns.

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INDIANAPOLIS (Thursday, Oct. 26, 2017/National FFA Organization) – The Marshall FFA Chapter from Missouri has been named the 2017 National FFA Model of Excellence winner at the 90th National FFA Convention & Expo in Indianapolis.

The National Chapter Award program recognizes outstanding FFA chapters that actively implement the mission and strategies of the organization. These chapters improve chapter operations using the National Quality FFA Chapter Standards and a Program of Activities that emphasizes growing leaders, building communities and strengthening agriculture. Chapters are rewarded for providing educational experiences for the entire membership.

To encourage students interested in agricultural construction careers, Marshall FFA organized “Welding Our Future Together.” This included a welding workshop, a tour of Missouri Welding Institute and tutoring for the scholarship competition. During the workshop, FFA members received guided practice on industry welds from a trade school instructor. In addition to this activity, the chapter also conducts activities such as a kindness campaign, “I Believe” packages and coloring for agriculture.

High school chapters that received high three-star ratings during judging in the summer are eligible to compete for the Model of Excellence award, the highest honor awarded to a high school FFA chapter by the National FFA Organization. Ten FFA chapters competed in a presentation and interview process for the top honor during this year’s national convention. Marshall FFA received a plaque in an onstage ceremony during the convention’s second general session on Thursday, Oct. 26.

The National Chapter Award program is sponsored by John Deere.

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INDIANAPOLIS (Thursday, Oct. 26, 2017/National FFA Organization) – The Paris FFA Chapter from Missouri has been named the 2017 National Premier Chapter: Growing Leaders winner at the 90th National FFA Convention & Expo in Indianapolis.

The National Chapter Award program recognizes outstanding FFA chapters that actively implement the mission and strategies of the organization. These chapters improve chapter operations using the National Quality FFA Chapter Standards and a Program of Activities that emphasizes growing leaders, building communities and strengthening agriculture. Chapters are rewarded for providing educational experiences for the entire membership.

During “Beef Up Reading,” Paris FFA encouraged elementary students to get excited about reading. They challenged elementary students to read and log more than 95,000 minutes of reading in a month. FFA members visited classrooms to motivate the students and share about the importance of reading. The chapter even got parents involved by hosting a free barbecue brisket dinner for all students, parents and teachers during the Title I Reading Night. FFA members enjoyed setting goals and helping the elementary students to reach them to reinforce the importance of reading.

Chapters eligible to compete for the National Premier Chapter: Growing Leaders award demonstrate competency in doing innovative things or taking traditional concepts and applying a creative twist in the growing leaders division of the chapter’s Program of Activities. Ten three-star chapters competed in a presentation and interview process for the top honor during this year’s national convention. Paris FFA received a plaque in an onstage ceremony during the convention’s second general session on Thursday, Oct. 26.

The National Chapter Award program is sponsored by John Deere.

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INDIANAPOLIS (Thursday, Oct. 26, 2017/National FFA Organization) – The Barrington Middle FFA Chapter from Florida has been named the 2017 National Premier Chapter: Strengthening Agriculture winner at the 90th National FFA Convention & Expo in Indianapolis.

The National Chapter Award program recognizes outstanding FFA chapters that actively implement the mission and strategies of the organization. These chapters improve chapter operations using the National Quality FFA Chapter Standards and a Program of Activities that emphasizes growing leaders, building communities and strengthening agriculture. Chapters are rewarded for providing educational experiences for the entire membership.

Through “U-Pick, We Educate,” Barrington Middle FFA educated community members about strawberries, planting and harvesting times, and fertilizer effects. FFA members advertised this event by hanging flyers in local businesses to encourage others to participate. Because of the chapter’s advertising efforts, 38 community members came out to help FFA members pick strawberries while learning more about strawberry production. Through this event, students were able to educate others about the impact agriculture can have in an urban area.

Chapters eligible to compete for the National Premier Chapter: Strengthening Agriculture award demonstrate competency in doing innovative things or taking traditional concepts and applying a creative twist in the strengthening agriculture division of the chapter’s Program of Activities. Ten three-star chapters competed in a presentation and interview process for the top honor during this year’s national convention. Barrington Middle FFA received a plaque in an onstage ceremony during the convention’s second general session on Thursday, Oct. 26.

The National Chapter Award program is sponsored by John Deere.

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INDIANAPOLIS (Thursday, Oct. 26, 2017/National FFA Organization) – The West Jackson Middle FFA Chapter from Georgia has been named the 2017 National FFA Middle School Model of Excellence winner at the 90th National FFA Convention & Expo in Indianapolis.

The National Chapter Award program recognizes outstanding FFA chapters that actively implement the mission and strategies of the organization. These chapters improve chapter operations using the National Quality FFA Chapter Standards and a Program of Activities that emphasizes growing leaders, building communities and strengthening agriculture. Chapters are rewarded for providing educational experiences for the entire membership.

West Jackson Middle FFA wanted to get students interested in healthy food options, so they hosted a Georgia grown taste test during National Agriculture Week. FFA members created two healthy vegetable dips for people to try and partnered with cafeteria staff to serve more than 400 people. This event helped students to see that it is easy to pick healthy snacks that taste good. In addition to the Georgia grown taste test, the chapter conducts other activities such as a leadership workshop, creating an outdoor classroom and cooking with care.

Middle school chapters that received high three-star ratings during judging in the summer are eligible to compete for the Middle School Model of Excellence award, the highest honor awarded to a middle school FFA chapter by the National FFA Organization. Five FFA chapters competed in a presentation and interview process for the top honor during this year’s national convention. West Jackson Middle FFA received a plaque in an onstage ceremony during the convention’s second general session on Thursday, Oct. 26.

The National Chapter Award program is sponsored by John Deere.

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INDIANAPOLIS (Oct. 26, 2017/National FFA Organization) – Pittsfield FFA from Illinois has been named the 2017 National Premier Chapter: Building Communities winner at the 90th National FFA Convention & Expo in Indianapolis.

The National Chapter Award program recognizes outstanding FFA chapters that actively implement the mission and strategies of the organization. These chapters improve chapter operations using the National Quality FFA Chapter Standards and a Program of Activities that emphasizes growing leaders, building communities and strengthening agriculture. Chapters are rewarded for providing educational experiences for the entire membership.

Pittsfield FFA wanted to show their respect and gratitude to community members who are serving our country. FFA members collected the names of active-duty military members in their community through social media and the local newspaper. “Heroes Among Us” signs were created for each active-duty member and hung around the town square. Signs were later added to many other streets in the community. This project sparked discussion about the military and demonstrated appreciation for the military’s service.

Chapters eligible to compete for the National Premier Chapter: Building Communities award demonstrate competency in doing innovative things or taking traditional concepts and applying a creative twist in the building communities division of the chapter’s Program of Activities. Ten three-star chapters competed in a presentation and interview process for the top honor during this year’s national convention. Pittsfield FFA received a plaque in an onstage ceremony during the convention’s second general session on Thursday, Oct. 26.

The National Chapter Award program is sponsored by John Deere.

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