Four Minnesota FFA Star awards were given at Minnesota's 88th annual State FFA Convention in April.

Receiving the honors were:

• Karla Nelson, Minnesota FFA Star Farmer
• Samuel Moenning, Minnesota FFA Star in Production Placement
• Brandon Kasprick, Minnesota FFA Star in Agriscience
• Logan Schoon, Minnesota FFA Star in Agribusiness

Karla Nelson, FFA Star Farmer

For three years, Nelson, a Pipestone Area FFA member, has been renting and farming her own land as her supervised agricultural experience. Currently, she farms 45 acres of corn and soybeans. She also has 2 acres of sweet corn, which she sells at a local street corner stand, a grocery store and a farmers market. Nelson manages all aspects of growing a crop: everything from planting and harvesting to spraying and selling.

“Being a crop farmer's daughter, I have always had a love for farming,” Nelson says. “After college, I would love to become an agronomist, working with and helping farmers. Later in life, if it works out, I plan to come back to the family farm to help my dad.”

Nelson has gained many valuable skills, including equipment maintenance, recordkeeping and marketing grain. She will apply the knowledge and skills to her future education and career. Nelson will graduate from high school this month and plans to study agronomy at South Dakota State University.

In the SAE program, students apply what they are learning in the classroom. A student designs a program to gain hands-on experience and develop skills in agricultural career areas that interest them. Students are supervised by agricultural education teachers in cooperation with parents, employers and other adults who assist them in the development and achievement of their educational and career goals.

The Pipestone FFA chapter is led by Brian Boomgaarden and Amy Konradi, agricultural education teachers and advisors.

Samuel Moenning, Minnesota FFA Star in Production Placement

Moenning, a Triton FFA member, has worked on three different farms including Moenning Farm, Scott Family Farms and Blanchard Farms. The knowledge and skills he has learned by working on other people’s farms has led him to start a cattle herd with his two older sisters. Currently, Moenning and his sisters own 15 head of Simmental cattle.

“I really appreciate the experiences and people I work for,” Moenning says. “Since I have worked on many different farms, I have seen multiple leadership styles and production methods. I believe this will be very beneficial to my future, as I can take the best of each and include it in my own farm.”

Moenning will graduate from high school this month. He plans to enlist in the armed forces following graduation. He believes his background in agriculture has prepared him for his future, as he’s learned the value of perseverance and resiliency.

The Triton FFA chapter is led by Robert Ickler, agricultural education teacher and advisor.

Brandon Kasprick, Minnesota FFA Star in Agriscience

Kasprick, a Thief River Falls FFA member, started his FFA supervised agricultural experience in eighth grade with his first plant science experiment. Since then he has completed three different research projects in the area of plant systems. Each year his experiments have gotten more complex, moving from the greenhouse to actual field experiments.

“The opportunity to conduct a research-based supervised agriculture experience has significantly impacted my future by showing me potential career options,” Kasprick says. “Before conducting research, I was completely unsure of what I wanted to do for a career. This research-based SAE has shown me all of the potential I can have in an agricultural science-related field.”

Through his SAE, Kasprick has developed technical skills and communication skills. He will graduate from high school this month and plans to study biology and political science at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities.

The Thief River Falls FFA chapter is led by Katie Shaw, agricultural education teacher and advisor.

Logan Schoon, Minnesota FFA Star in Agribusiness

Schoon, a Menahga FFA member, began his supervised agricultural experience working as a construction foreman for Kevin Kocurek. Currently, he is helping build a multimillion-dollar project. He’s been working on this project for more than a year and a half. On the job, Schoon has learned a variety of trades — everything from carpentry and electrical to roofing and setting rafters.

“Since Day 1 of working on the house, pouring the footings, I have taken great pride in my work,” Schoon says. “This job has taught me many things. The biggest accomplishment is looking at the work I have done and seeing how the hard work has paid off.”

Schoon credits his SAE with helping him decide on a career path. He will graduate from high school this month and plans to study heavy equipment operating and maintenance at Central Lakes College in Staples.

The Menahga FFA chapter is led by Maria Ness, agricultural education teacher and advisor.

Each year, 16 state finalists, four in each category, vie for these top FFA awards. The awards honor students who have developed outstanding agricultural skills through their SAEs and earned their state degrees. The Minnesota FFA degree recognition programs are sponsored by AgStar Financial Services as a special project of the Minnesota FFA Foundation.

Visit mnffa.org for more details about the 88th Minnesota FFA convention.

Source: Minnesota FFA