Kaylee Brunker of the Perkins Tyron FFA Chapter in Oklahoma owns and operates her own show lamb production business, raising high-quality market show lambs that she sells to compete at county, state, and national shows. Her current flock consists of 22 ewes, 16 of which are registered with the National American Sheep Association. Brunker is supported by her parents, Regina and Brandon, and her FFA advisors, Brandon Brunker and Roger Jennings.  This award is sponsored by the National FFA Foundation and National FFA Organization.

Leza Stemple of the Vinita FFA Chapter in Oklahoma has an SAE in the area of poultry selection, breeding, exhibition, care and management. Her project has grown into a thriving business, Heartland Poultry, with annual sales averaging 300 birds and 600 hatching and consumption eggs from 12 heritage breeds of chickens, ducks, and geese. Stemple is supported by her mother, Alissa, and her FFA advisor, Carolyn J. Piguet. This award is sponsored by Tractor Supply Company and Tyson Foods, Inc.

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 Sam Alan Shaver of the Southmont FFA Chapter in Crawfordsville, Ind., is a guide for Coal Camp Outfitters, a business that supports hunters. During the spring and summer months, he erects 80 tree stands, plants 80 acres of food plots and scouts and learns deer movements. During the hunting season, Shaver is charged with leading hunters to and from stand location. He is supported by his parents, Lori and Ken, and his FFA advisors, Gary Mosbaugh and Erin Gilley. This award is sponsored by Yamaha Motor Corporation USA.

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Since the age of 5, Robert Losee of the Woodbury FFA Chapter in Connecticut has loved working with plants, getting his start in his mother’s vegetable and flower gardens. In 2012, he started his SAE with a placement in a local nursery and further developed an interest in the propagation of plants. From watering, weeding, spacing and potting plants, he’s learned to check for pests and diseases in the plants. Losee plans to major in environmental science and minor in horticulture, eventually owning his own greenhouse nursery business.  He is supported by his parents, Barbara and Robert, and his FFA advisors, Erika Petersson, William Davenport and Eric Birkenberger. This award is sponsored NuFarm & Valent USA Corporation.

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Troy Scott Mabis of the Talawanda-Butler Tech FFA Chapter in Oxford, Ohio, has always wanted to be like his father so it made sense that he would go to work for him in his landscaping business. From his mentor, he’s learned to build allen block retaining walls, layer paver patios, construct landscapes and operate all the necessary machinery. Mabis plans to start his own landscaping business in the future. He is supported by his parents, Cathy and Scott, and his FFA advisors, Mike Derringer and Sara Casto. This award is sponsored by John Deere and Tractor Supply Company.

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Bayli Anne Hyde of the Burlington FFA Chapter in Oklahoma has hometown spirit deep in her soul. She began volunteering at Burlington City Hall with small tasks like sweeping the fire station or setting up chairs for community fundraisers. When a friend was diagnosed with muscular dystrophy, she put her efforts toward raising money for that cause. Hyde has even worked to interview the son of E.M. Tiffany and put together a documentary on the “Father of the FFA Creed.” She is supported by her parents, Marci and the late Robert Hyde, and her FFA advisor, Travis Bradshaw. This award is sponsored by Carhartt, Inc.

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Working on the family farm of nearly 7,000 acres, Deven Kenneth Foster of the Labette County FFA Chapter in Altamont, Kan., has experienced every aspect of the grain production farming process. The family plants, on average, 3,000 acres of corn and 2,500 acres of wheat. He assists in the tillage of the soil and practices vertical tillage for weed control. Foster is supported by his parents, Therese and Kenneth, and his FFA advisors, Dustin Wiley, Jeff Faulkenstein and Kyle Zwahlen. This award is sponsored by National FFA Foundation and National FFA Organization.

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Clayton Robinson of the Mark Twain FFA Chapter in Center, Mo., started helping his father feed cattle at a young age. Seeing his dedication to the farm, his father offered him the opportunity to start working his own 33 acres of corn. His responsibilities include equipment operation, selling grain and determining chemical and fertilizer use. Robinson is supported by his parents, Lori and John, and his FFA advisors, Sarah Ray and Joe Dameron. This award is sponsored by CF Industries, Inc. and Valent USA Corporation.

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Emily Beal of the Miami East FFA Chapter in Casstown, Ohio, began her goat operation when she was 8 years old.  Her parents purchased a starter herd of 22 head for her. Since that time, she has worked to transition her herd into high quality, genetically sound show wethers and wether dams. In the future, Beal would like to become a spokesperson for agriculture. She is supported by her parents, Melissa and Johnn, and her FFA advisor, Marie Carity. This award is sponsored by Tractor Supply Company.

When she was 2 years old, the hay field her family farmed was turned into a vineyard.  Since that time, Claire Elizabeth Seibel of the Lord Botetourt FFA Chapter in Dalesville, Va., has become heavily involved in the family’s grape production.  From sorting grapes during harvest to scouting for potential diseases and pests, Seibel has begun performing her own research into Virginia viticulture.  She is supported by her parents, Megan and Andy, and her FFA advisor, Stuart Byrd.

This award is sponsored by the DuPont Company.

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