Author Archives: Lydia Johnson
Texas FFA Member Honored as 2023 American Star Farmer Finalist
Callie Welty began raising a Brahman herd when she was in third grade with the support of her mother, aunt and ranching family. Her initial cow has since turned into an internationally known business that ships genetics overseas. Learn more … Continue reading
Iowa FFA Member Josie Boyle Named 2023 National Winner in Employment Skills Contest
Winners of the National FFA Employment Skills Leadership Development Event (LDE) were announced Friday during the fifth session of the 96th National FFA Convention & Expo in Indianapolis. The event was held in conjunction with the 96th National FFA Convention … Continue reading
Hayden Holdgrafer Named 2023 National Proficiency Winner in Diversified Crop Production – Entrepreneurship
Hayden Holdgrafer of the Easton Valley FFA Chapter in Iowa began his supervised agricultural experience (SAE) by renting acres to grow corn, soybeans and hay. The scope of his projects grew each year along with the number of acres he … Continue reading
Morgan Hodge Named 2023 National Proficiency Winner in Outdoor Recreation – Entrepreneurship/Placement
Morgan Hodge of the West Liberty FFA Chapter in Iowa was introduced to trapshooting and outdoor recreation when she took her first hunter’s safety course at the age of 12. Her father and grandfather were avid trapshooters who taught her … Continue reading
Payton Irick Named 2023 National Proficiency Winner in Small Animal Production and Care – Entrepreneurship/Placement
Payton Irick of the Seminole FFA Chapter in Oklahoma raises Yorkshire terriers and Yorkie-poodle mixed designer dogs that are non-shedding and hypoallergenic. She began with one female and used a corner of her parents’ office to raise the first litter … Continue reading
Nebraska Native Caleb Most Named 2023 Extemporaneous Speaking Winner
Winners of the National FFA Extemporaneous Public Speaking Leadership Development Event (LDE) were announced Thursday during the third session of the 96th National FFA Convention & Expo in Indianapolis. Dr. Kasee L Smith of the University of Idaho served as … Continue reading
Emilee Munchrath Named 2023 National Proficiency Winner in Diversified Livestock Production – Entrepreneurship/Placement
Emilee Munchrath of the Graford FFA Chapter in Texas has her own business, Glory Days Livestock, which consists of breeding, raising, and selling registered cattle and club lambs. She retained retired show heifers and purchased breeding sheep with a U.S. … Continue reading
One-Star General Shares Opportunities, Wisdom with FFA Members
Gen. Jim Bauerle, a retired one-star general in the U.S. Army, is spending his week at the 96th National FFA Convention & Expo recruiting students to join the service. FFA members visiting the U.S. Army booth have the opportunity to … Continue reading
Amanda Osmundson Named 2023 National Proficiency Winner in Beef Production – Placement
Amanda Osmundson of the Oakdale FFA Chapter in California works on her family’s beef operation, helping to manage 300 heard of registered Beefmaster, commercial, and E6 cattle. Her focus is a seed stock operation to sell registered bulls and donor … Continue reading
Madison Perkins Named 2023 National Proficiency Winner in Agriscience Research – Integrated Systems
Madison Perkins of the Gilmer FFA Chapter in Texas has conducted a four-year study on the effects of vegetation, pond age, algae control methods, and agricultural practices on the biodiversity and water quality of aquatic habitats. Her project consisted of … Continue reading