Maddison Taylor Caldwell of the Elmwood FFA Chapter in Illinois works for Willoughby Sales, an online marketing and auction company specializing in the sale of show animals.  With more than 40,000 registered bidders, she assists with sales in a variety of species, including cattle, pigs, sheep, goats, bison, dairy and horses.  She walks buyers and sellers through the bidding process and works with the sale consignor to ensure that all minimums are correct.  Caldwell is supported by her parents, Kim and William, and her FFA advisor, Tarasena Lafollette. This award is sponsored by Fastenal and Provimi North America, Inc.

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Jake Keith Bobo of the Baker FFA Chapter in Baker City, Ore., has been doing his SAE since the third grade. As a fourth-generation beekeeper, he bought his first pallet of bees with money he got from mowing lawns. In one year, his bees travel from California to Idaho to Washington and on to Montana before returning to Oregon. Bobo sells the honey he extracts before ending a production year with his bees. He is supported by his parents, Carolyn and Keith, and his FFA advisor, Bibiana Gifft. This award is sponsored by the National FFA Foundation and National FFA Organization.

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Joshua Matthew Randall of the Danville FFA Chapter in Indiana has partnered with the local Natural Resource Conservation Service and the Hendricks County Soil and Water Conservation District.  Working in the field, he collected and interpreted data and conducted outreach through natural resource legislation and proposals.   Randall has also been instrumental in the creation of a habitat and wildlife learning center located at the middle school.  He is supported by his parents, Tamara and Darrel, and his FFA advisor, Duane Huge. This award is sponsored by CHS.

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Ross Blattner of the Kuna FFA Chapter in Idaho has an SAE project with 57 registered Suffolk ewes and three registered Suffolk stud rams. He’s chosen the Suffolk breed because of their superior milking and mothering ability.  He’s also raised 19 market heifers.  Blattner raises the heifers to market weight before selling them to buyers.  He is supported by his parents, Lori and Jack, and his FFA advisors, Shawn Dygert, Joe Blackstock, Travis Edward and Allison Touchstone. This award is sponsored by Tractor Supply Company and Wahl Clipper Corporation.

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Curtis Mathew Harsh of the Buckeye Valley FFA Chapter in Delaware, Ohio, was mentored at a young age by his father and grandfather, learning how to feed, breed, show, and manage beef cattle. Today, he has an SAE that is divided into three entities: cows and calves, embryos and show heifers and replacements. With his cattle, he became the youngest exhibitor at the Ohio State Fair Market Beef Show to win the Showman of Showman Contest. Harsh is supported by his parents, Michele and David, and his FFA advisor, Alex Zimmer. This award is sponsored by Bayer and Rabo AgriFinance.

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Spencer Mitchell Wolter of the Windom FFA Chapter in Minnesota has always been fascinated by the idea of information and electricity traveling along simple wires. This interest has led him to work for a networking business in his area. His job has focused on researching and implementing new systems, in addition to troubleshooting old systems that aren’t working properly. Wolter is supported by his mother, Paula, and his FFA advisor, Darcy Dahna. This award is sponsored by Carry-On Trailer and Lincoln Electric.

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Garrett Hershel Harrell of the Colquitt County FFA Chapter in Norman Park, Ga., works at a 600-acre produce farm, growing several varieties of tomatoes. As a fifth-generation agriculturalist, he handles all steps of production from transplantation in the field to the harvest. Harrell mows, plants, lays plastic, sprays chemicals and harvests eight months each year in the Georgia warmth. He is supported by his mother, Julie, and his FFA advisors, Steve Bass, Stacey Beacham, Gene Hart and Adrienne Smith. This award is sponsored by Tractor Supply Company and Wilbur-Ellis Company.

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Erica Lynn Helmer of the Plymouth FFA Chapter in Wisconsin is the seventh generation to work on the family farm, made up of 165 head of registered Holstein dairy cattle, 70 milking cows, 15 dry cows, 40 replacement heifers, and 40 young stock.  In addition to milking and caring for the cows, Helmer shows the dairy cattle through 4-H.  She has grown to learn about genetics used to improve the herd and milk productivity.  She is supported by his parents, Lynn and John, and her FFA advisors, Tracy Heinbuch and Samantha Finger. This award is sponsored by Kuhn North America and Nasco.

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Colin Drew Wegner of the United South Central FFA Chapter in Wells, Minn., works on his family farm, producing 3,000 acres of corn and 2,000 acres of soybeans.  They also round bale 800 six-foot hay bales, selling them to local farmers.  He started working on the farm when he was 8 years old, helping with cattle chores and riding in the combine with his grandfather.  Now, Wegner operates all the equipment and is involved in all areas of production.  He is supported by his parents, Shannon and Eric, and his FFA advisor, Dan Dylla. This award is sponsored by National Crop Insurance Services and Valent USA Corporation.

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Daniel A. Dobbs of the Franklin County FFA Chapter in Carnesville, Ga., works on a small family-owned poultry operation managing four 500-square-feet broiler houses. His objective is to produce birds that will grow efficiently and remain healthy. Prior to the arrival of the birds, he prepares the facilities by de-caking litter, sanitizing the facilities, and putting out the feed trays and adjusting the drinker lines to the proper level. Dobbs works with on average 28,500 birds for seven weeks at a time. He is supported by his mother, Tara, and his FFA advisors, Cale Watkins, Eric Hickox, Anna Watkins and Owen Thomason. This award is sponsored by Tractor Supply Company and U.S. Poultry & Egg Association.

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