FFA members selected as Star finalists for exceptional projects

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — FFA members who have developed exceptional projects will be introduced during the 95th Annual Illinois FFA State Convention, set for June 13-15.

Winners of the Star Farmer, Star in Agribusiness, Star in Agricultural Placement and Star in Agriscience will be honored during the Stars Over Illinois ceremony at the annual event at the Bank of Springfield Center.

FFA members together with their parents and advisers will be highlighted during Session 4, starting at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, June 14.

The following students have been selected as district winners for the Star Farmer award after an extensive process of evaluating the students and their record books.

Megan Gray

District: 1

Chapter: Mercer County

FFA Advisers: Hannah Libby, Brandon Livingston and Aaron Heartt

Parents: Don and Kathy Gray

SAE Project: Megan Gray raises rabbits and sheep for her FFA project. She started her flock when she was 8 years old and now she shows and markets Shropshire sheep and crossbred lambs. Gray has both Californian and Lionhead rabbits and her goal is to breed for the depth and width of the loin to maximize the meat capacity of her rabbits.

Ty Steffen

District: 2

Chapter: Newark

FFA Adviser: Joe Steffen

Parents: Joe and Tracy Steffen

SAE Project: The Newark FFA member has several FFA projects that include growing a variety of products. Ty Steffen grows pumpkins across six acres and he also grows broom corn, gourds, potted mums, vegetables and a variety of flowers including gladioli. He manages 16 beehives and the star finalist is responsible for all management practices including hiring employees, developing a fertilization plan, harvesting and marketing.

Nathan Spangler

District: 3

Chapter: Bushnell-Prairie City

FFA Adviser: Steve Sargeant

Parents: John and Holly Spangler

SAE Project: Nathan Spangler plans to use the skills he has learned from raising corn and soybeans and managing a cow/calf operation in the future when he becomes a full-time farmer. The FFA member has 354 acres of corn and 282 acres of soybeans where he uses technologies like sub-inch autosteer functions, auto row shutoff and wireless data collection and analysis. For his 39-head cattle herd, Spangler has utilized artificial insemination to improve genetics.

Cole Paulek

District: 4

Chapter: Taylorville

FFA Advisers: Sue Schafer, Charles Dammerman, Katie King and Lori Parks

Parents: Craig and Katie Paulek

SAE Project: Taylorville FFA member Cole Paulek raises cattle, goats and pigs. He also grows 40 acres of soybeans and 40 acres of corn. The star finalist plans to use the skills from these projects in the future where his goal is to become an animal nutritionist.

Lauren Wolter

District: 5

Chapter: Central Breese

FFA Advisers: Harley Carlson and Lexis Wiegmann

Parents: Bradley and Kimberly Wolter

SAE Project: While raising purebred Angus cattle, Lauren Wolter focuses on producing functional commercial cows and elite show heifers. The FFA member uses embryo technology to maximize the genetic potential of two elite donor cows. To guide her management decisions, Wolter utilizes in-vitro fertilization, DNA collection and expected progeny differences.