Stephen Grant Dorris of the Scotts Hill FFA Chapter in Reagan, Tenn., works at Volner Sawmill and has had the opportunity to see varying aspects of the industry. From a young age, he has been exposed to the harvesting phase, riding and operating the skidders and feller bunchers as a child. But it wasn’t until 2012 when he learned the milling side of the industry. That year, he was hired as a forklift driver, requiring him to feed the mill with logs as well as sort and stack the logs that were being unloaded from the log trucks. Dorris hopes to become an owner and operator of the mill eventually.  He is supported by his parents, Cathy and Stephen, and his FFA advisor, Chris Cherry. This award is sponsored by John Deere.

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Landon Herring of the Lowndes County FFA Chapter in Valdosta, Ga., produces flue-cured tobacco in a placement SAE. Learning how to grow tobacco from his grandfather, he has set up tobacco beds and applied nitrogen and fertilizer, and operated the tobacco combine. Herring has also learned to prevent parasites and diseases that stunt the growth or survival of the tobacco leaves. He is supported by his parents, Lisa and Joey, and his FFA advisors, James Corbett, Quinton Hadsock and Michael Lee Barnes. This award is sponsored by National FFA Foundation and National FFA Organization.

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Theresa E. Seibel of the Lord Botetourt FFA Chapter in Daleville, Va., is a third-generation producer with an interest in increasing efficiency and success of her family operation. Her research has been in the animal systems related to increasing the success rate of artificial insemination in heifer cattle with an end goal of maximizing the number of Angus offspring. Seibel is supported by her parents, Megan and Andy, and her FFA advisor, Stuart Byrd. This award is sponsored by the National FFA Foundation and National FFA Organization.

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Alexander D. Warmka of the United South Central FFA Chapter in Wells, Minn., purchases antique tractors, repairing and restoring them to original condition for resale.  He has worked on a 1600 and 1650 Olive, a 300 Farmall and a Dixon Lawnmower.  Guided by his father and grandfather, he has learned to handle all repairs by himself.  Warmka is supported by his parents, Tracy and Dean, and his FFA advisor, Dan Dylla. This award is sponsored by the Association of Equipment Manufacturers and Briggs and Stratton Corporation, Inc.

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Mariah Joy Cox of the Zane Trace FFA Chapter in Chillicothe, Ohio, has participated in science fairs since the fourth grade and found that she enjoyed the scientific research process and sharing her results with the judges.  Her SAE research has focused on three projects, all related to plant science.  She first identified properties of potato starch and their applications to plant-based packaging.  Secondly, she compared two varieties of raspberries in terms of phenolics and anthocyanins.  And finally, she worked in a lab in Hyberabad, India, testing plots of vegetable soybeans.  Cox is supported by her parents, Rachel and Paul, and her FFA advisors, Jennifer Johnston and Aaron Miller. This award is sponsored by FMC Corporation, Agricultural Solutions.

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Lillian Rose Rodicio of the Ferguson Senior FFA Chapter in Miami, Fla., has worked as an intern at local vet clinics for the past five years. When she began her internship, she was little more than an observer. After learning the ropes of the office, she was trusted with more complex procedures like running blood tests and giving injections. She eventually had the opportunity to groom and care for the horses and geldings without supervision. Rodicio plans to continue working in a vet clinic while enrolled in college. She is supported by her parents, Ileana and Alejandro, and her FFA advisors, Erin Abramoff and Laura Sandoval. This award is sponsored by the American Veterinary Medical Association.

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Taylor Price of the Pilot Point FFA Chapter in Texas started working for Texas Parks and Wildlife the summer after her freshman year. Her job is multi-faceted, requiring her to wear many hats. She has learned to be a receptionist, a banker, a marketer, a salesperson, a scientist, an environmentalist, and more. One of her projects included creating a marketing brochure that described the history of the park, its ecosystems, wildlife and more. Price is supported by her parents, Angie and Paul, and her FFA advisors, Tammy Glasscock, Randy Glasscock and Casey Brinlee. This award is sponsored by Yamaha Motor Corporation USA.

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Marissa LeeAnn Davis of the Har-Ber FFA Chapter in Arkansas has worked closely with a food technologist for her SAE.  In that relationship, she has learned to grade beef carcass, poultry and eggs.  In her position as a sensory analyst intern at Tyson Foods, Inc., Davis also tested new food products in the product development process.  She is supported by her parents, Tara and Mike, and her FFA advisors, Patti Priest, Seth Jones, Allison Stamps and David Duncan.  This award is sponsored by Pilgrim’s.

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Travis Robert Winans of the Taylorville FFA Chapter in Illinois is the owner of his own lawn care operation. Each customer can have him mow, trim, edge, and clean off driveways and walkways. He began his service in 2013 with eight customers. Just two years later, he had 29 different customers that he serviced weekly. To maintain this increase, he has developed skills in marketing and advertising, maintaining equipment, and business management. Winans is supported by his parents, Michelle O’Brien and Ben Winans , and his FFA advisors, Sue Schafer and Monte Elvidge. This award is sponsored by John Deere.

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Jacob Larison, agriculture educator from Kansas (Region 2) is recognized as an NAAE Outstanding teacher. Listen as Mr. Larison explains his accomplishments…

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