Star in Agricultural Placement finalists

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Five district finalists for the Star in Agricultural Placement award will be honored on the stage of the Illinois FFA Convention.

The following FFA members have developed award-winning projects.

Nevin Erbsen

District: 1

Chapter: Eastland

FFA Adviser: Cindy Feltmeyer

Parents: Carl and Becky Erbsen

SAE Project: Nevin Erbsen works on his family’s dairy farm, Erbacres Holsteins, and Gunderson Dairy Farms for his FFA project. Erbsen’s family has a 50-head herd and they exhibit high genetic cattle at local and national shows. The FFA member has 50 acres of forage production and he also operates tractors for tillage and harvest. The Gunderson Dairy manages 240 cows that are milked with four Lely robots. Erbsen mixes feed for the herd daily and he assists with harvesting 280 acres of forage.

Chase Hummel

District: 2

Chapter: Tri-Point

FFA Advisers: Jenna Baker and Kaylee Shouse

Parents: Dale and Holly Hummel

SAE Project: The Tri-Point FFA member is involved with Hummel Livestock which is a meat goat breeding operation that specializes in selling animals to 4-H and FFA members across the country. Hummel’s responsibilities include feeding, running fecal samples and assisting with embryo transfer work. He maintains client relations and he assists with preparing goats for online sales.

Michael Matesa

District: 3

Chapter: Staunton

FFA Advisers: Maggie McCalla and John Davin

Parents: Chad and Julie Matesa

SAE Project: For his FFA projects, Michael Matesa focuses on informing the public about the agricultural industry. He has recorded and edited videos, written articles for newspapers and developed and maintained websites. Matesa also works in the foodservice industry at two local restaurants. His duties at the Asian Bistro by Olette and at R and B’s Family Restaurant include food preparation, food and restaurant sanitation, maintaining proper cooking standards, customer service and training new employees.

Gavyn Siefert

District: 4

Chapter: Salt Fork

FFA Adviser: Stacey Rickard

Parents: Les and Kasi Siefert

SAE Project: Gavyn Siefert has worked at Rohrscheib Farms for three years and his main responsibility is keeping the fleet of farm machinery up to date on repairs and maintenance. He designed a harrow drag and has completed various welding repairs on equipment such as field cultivators and he is a key operator during planting and harvesting. The FFA member’s responsibilities also involve working with a crew from South Africa. In addition, Siefert works for Craig Cattle Company to help with their cattle herd.

Tommy Waters

District: 5

Chapter: Goreville

FFA Adviser: Jeff Robison

Parents: Cody and Nicole Waters

SAE Project: Working on his family farm, Tommy Waters is involved with raising 750 acres of corn, soybeans, wheat and hay. He has implemented several management practices that focus on sustainability and profitability. Some of these practices include grid sampling, flag testing, tissue sampling and making late season nutrient applications.