In Ann Arbor, a place typically lauded more for its foodie scene than food production, resides a remarkable young woman named Adyson Naebeck, a shining star in the Saline FFA chapter and a sixth-generation farmer. Her journey from the family farm to becoming a finalist for the Michigan FFA Star in Production Award is a testament to her passion, dedication and unwavering work ethic.

Adyson’s love for agriculture runs deep, as she has spent countless hours raising beef, sheep and chickens on her family’s farm. From the tender age of 11, Adyson has immersed herself in the world of showing livestock, from local shows to competitions across Michigan. For her, the hours spent in the barn, washing, grooming and working with her cattle are not just chores but moments of fulfillment and therapy.

“Seeing the hard work present itself in the show ring is one of the most rewarding aspects of raising cattle,” Adyson shares, her eyes gleaming with pride.

Despite facing setbacks like losing her breeding heifer, Adyson remains undeterred. With resilience and determination, she has embarked on the journey of redeveloping her herd, starting with three new heifers. Her goal? To breed these heifers within the next year and a half, laying the foundation for her very own quality show cattle.

But Adyson’s passion doesn’t end with beef. She also raises and shows lambs, spreading her love for showmanship and mentoring young showmen at local 4-H fairs and the Saline Community Fair.

Her FFA advisor, Dave Mellor, attests to her growth and leadership within the chapter, saying, “Over the past four years, I have seen Adyson grow the scope of her beef and sheep SAEs and advance through the officer stations to become our 2023-2024 chapter president. She is also an integral team member of our Meat Judging Team as well as our chapter.”

As Adyson looks toward the future, her ambitions are as bright as ever. She plans to pursue a career in nursing, attending Michigan State University in the fall to become a nurse anesthetist. But her love for agriculture remains unwavering, as she intends to continue raising and breeding cattle, expanding her herd and creating a successful show cattle operation.

Just days away from awarding the Michigan FFA Star in Production Award, it’s time to celebrate the exceptional achievements of the three finalists: Drew George from the Niles FFA Chapter, Adyson Naebeck from the Saline FFA Chapter and Abby Thelen from the Ovid-Elsie FFA Chapter. These outstanding individuals embody the spirit of hard work, dedication and excellence that defines FFA.

As we celebrate Adyson’s accomplishments, let invest in the future by supporting the Michigan FFA Foundation and empowering students like Adyson. Together, we can cultivate the next generation of leaders in agriculture and beyond.