Tysen Rosenau’s love of farming started at a young age when he was able to ride the tractor and combine with his father. As he got older and was able to drive the machinery himself, that love just deepened.

Soon, he was operating on his own.

During his sophomore year in high school, the Carrington, N.D., resident began to produce his own crops on his own ground that he rented. He was making decisions on what seeds to buy, what levels of insurance to buy and when to spray. His first crop was soybeans, followed by wheat. Soon Rosenau decided to add corn to the mix. As he raised corn, hard red spring wheat and soybeans, he was able to complete many of the production tasks associated with raising each one. He also has realized the importance of marketing and risk management. He currently provides all of the labor for his operation as well as financial needs and management decisions. He is currently farming with his father and raising corn, soybeans, natto beans and seed soybeans. Rosenau says that adding and raising natto beans to his operation has allowed him to remain profitable. He is currently looking for land to purchase in the area.

The Bismarck State College graduate wants to run a profitable farm while being sustainable and being as good to the environment as possible. He says the passion he has for agriculture has helped him deal with the stress that comes along with the job as well as the sense of accomplishment he feels after realizing his investment has paid off at the end of the year. Rosenau is the son of Sue Wolsky and Dan Rosenau. He is a member of Carrington FFA Chapter, led by advisor Missy Hansen.

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Fourth in a line of Portuguese dairy farmers, Tony Lopes credits much of who he is today to a Holstein cow. When the Gustine, Calif., resident was 6-years-old, he remembers seeing a calf and asking his dad if he could have it. The answer was yes, with the condition that Lopes would have to live with his choice. Tulip, as he named the calf, would soon start him on his journey in agriculture.

As Lopes became involved in FFA, he determined it was time to begin running his herd as a real business. While he housed his cattle with his parents’ herd, he was responsible for paying monthly feed, rent and medical expenses per head. He also received monthly milk checks for the value of milk his cows produced. Due to fairly receptive market conditions in the early years of his project combined with his herd’s genetic progress, he had solid and growing profitability that he then reinvested.

During his sophomore year, he improved his project by focusing on a managerial perspective and determining the best ways to utilize improved facilities and how to effectively manage the labor involved with the dairy. During his junior and senior years, he continued to prioritize the growth and development of his herd.

Currently he is studying dairy science and agribusiness at California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo and remains dedicated to the management of his herd.

Lopes is the son of Darlene and Paul Lopes. He is a member of Gustine FFA Chapter, led by advisors Matt Baffunno, Kelly Sanches and Cameron Wyman.

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The Omak FFA Chapter of Washington received the Model of Innovation Award in Chapter Development. Matthen Hale and Linda Harper were honored to receive the award on stage at National FFA Convention.

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Gleaners Food Bank received a donation of 33,000 lbs. of protein from Tyson Foods. FFA members unloaded the donation during National Days of Service. Protein is a difficult donation to receive. This will feed many families in Indianapolis.

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The 2106 Outstanding Middle School Award goes to the Madison County Middle School FFA Chapter.  According to the members of the FFA chapter, the school has been active in the school, community and state as a whole.

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The 2016 Model of Excellence – Community Development Award goes to the Exeter FFA Chapter in California.

The Exeter FFA  Chapter has been working in the community for many years in order to receive this award.

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Listen to Southern Region Vice President Abbey Gretsch’s retiring address, “Journey”…

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Tyson Foods donates 33,000 lbs. of protein to Gleaners Food Bank of Indianapolis. FFA members unloaded the donation during National Days of Service. Tyson Foods is a proud supporter of the FFA and encourage members to get involved in the fight against hunger.

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California FFA members helped unload a protein donation from Tyson Foods at Gleaners Food Bank in Indianapolis during National Days of Service.

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AJ Windmeyer from the Plattsburg, Missouri FFA Chapter entertained members at the 2nd session of the 89th National FFA Convention

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