Austin Tanner Wilson of the Whitley County FFA Chapter in Williamsburg, Ky., is involved with many different operations within the forestry field. His main business is a custom sawmill operation where he has seen everything from one board to an entire house. He became a co-owner of the business in May 2014 after purchasing one third of the sawmill operation.  He saws an average of 65,000 board feet of lumber per year. He is supported by his parents, Joe and Sonya, and his FFA advisors, Brian Prewitt and Glen Croley.  This award is sponsored by John Deere.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Bailey Wilson of the Pilot Point FFA Chapter in Texas has been tinkering with things on his family’s operation, K&L Farms, since he was old enough to walk. These days he participates in mowing and weed eating, cutting, raking, baling and mowing hay. K&L Farms currently produces 1,500 acres of sudan and bermuda pastures that are baled yearly. After obtaining degrees in animal science and agronomy, Wilson intends to return home and become a self-employed farmer.  He is supported by his parents, Terry and Cindy, and FFA advisors, Tammy Glascock and Randy Glascock. This award is sponsored by Claas of America, Inc.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

When Andrew Eugene Streff of the McCook Central FFA Chapter in Salem, S.D., first began helping his father on the farm, he could only run a tractor. Now Streff is able to help with planting, tilling, scouting and harvesting. His passion for agriculture has taught him to manage his time wisely, as he frequently works late into the night to complete his homework after chores. He is supported by his parents, Eugene and Julie, and his FFA advisors, Terry Reickman and Tracy Chase. This award is sponsored by Bunge North America and Kraft Heinz Company.

Stephanie A. Thiel of the Plymouth FFA Chapter in Wisconsin worked as a youth apprentice in the microbiology lab of Johnsonville Sausage LLC. She assisted microbiologists and chemists with their daily operations, gaining a better understanding of the bio-security measures behind the food processing industry. She was also a member of her FFA chapter’s national-qualifying milk quality and products CDE team. Thiel’s goal is to become a food scientist and keep the food supply healthy and safe for all.  She is supported by her parents, Steve and Sheila, and her FFA advisors, Walter Taylor and Tracy Heinbuch.  This award is sponsored by Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

 A member of the Lodi FFA Chapter in Wisconsin, Molly Elizabeth Schwister started her project at her grandparents’ Arabian horse training farm when she was five. She currently attends the University of Wisconsin-River Falls and works at an Arabian horse training farm near school.  Her duties include giving lessons to youth riders as well as training, conditioning and feeding the horses. By competing in national horse judging contests, she won a full scholarship to the Arabian Horse Judges School, and she looks forward to becoming a professional judge. She is supported by her parents, Michael and Laura, and her FFA advisor, Glenda Crook.

This award is sponsored by Tractor Supply Company.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Kaine Warnken of the Schulenburg FFA Chapter in Texas has worked on his roping skills for years, and his dedication to the rodeo industry is starting to pay off. He now selects and trains horses on his own, and his herd has grown to seven horses. Striving to provide superior customer service skills, he works hard to always communicate effectively with his clients. His superior roping skills landed him a full scholarship to Wharton Jr. College as a team roper. He is supported by his parents, Kevin and Sandra, and his FFA advisors, Brad Lux, Shaye Beasley and Amy Hartman.  This award is sponsored by Red Brand.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

When Sarah Elizabeth Spradlin’s mother became sick during her freshman year, she wanted to know why so that she could find a solution. A member of the Madison County FFA Chapter in Danielsville, Ga., Spradlin decided to research whether farmers were polluting the local water supply. Her research showed that most nonpoint source pollution did not come from farms. She found herself becoming an advocate for agricultural literacy, sharing her research at agriscience fairs on the local, state, and national level, and with community groups.  She is supported by her parents, Philip and Christy, and her FFA advisors, Trisha Lastly, Cindy Jones, Josh White and Katherine Bell. This award is sponsored by CHS.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Ian Bennett of the Lowndes FFA Chapter in Valdosta, Ga., developed a handheld temperature measurement device to remotely sense the temperature of livestock. He saw the need for such a device while working on his family’s farm, noticing that the traditional rectal thermometer was inefficient for farm workers and stressful for cattle. Bennett has developed a prototype design that he hopes to market in the future and eventually sell to farmers. He is supported by his parents, Marshall and Mary Beth, and FFA advisors, Dr. James Corbett, Quinton Hadsock and Michael Barnes. This award is sponsored by BASF.

The main memories from childhood Nole Gerfen has are of riding farm equipment with his parents. A member of the Ridgement FFA Chapter in Ridgeway, Ohio, he now participates in the family farm by raising commercial breeding swine, finisher hogs, breeding sheep, roaster lambs, market steers and beef breeding heifers. The diversity of his project is a risk management strategy that allows one livestock species to compensate for another when the market is low.  His ultimate goal is to become a successful cattleman. He is supported by his parents, Steve and Kim, and his FFA advisor, Stephanie Jolliff. This award is sponsored by Tractor Supply Company and Wahl Clipper Corporation.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Stone L. Hayden of the Chapman FFA Chapter in Kansas has owned a landscape business since he was 12 years old. While he started mowing lawns for neighbors, he now works as a cemetery groundskeeper and cares for the grass, removes old flowers, and trims around headstones. When other people heard about his work at the cemetery, he received additional contracts to provide landscaping services. He has installed landscaping beds, planted trees and shrubs and provided basic pruning services. He is supported by his parents, Ted and Joan, and his FFA advisors, Trenton Horn and Walter Pitts.  This award is sponsored by The Toro Company and Wilbur-Ellis Company.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download