Every year, the Michigan FFA recognizes members who go above and beyond in their Supervised Agricultural Experiences, or SAE’s, by awarding the Star in Agribusiness, Star in Agriscience, Star in Agricultural Placement and Star in Agricultural Production or Star Farmer. Finalists in these categories have learned important lessons in production, management, research, finance, and record keeping. Annually, the Star in Agricultural Production is awarded to the FFA member that demonstrates the top production agriculture supervised agricultural experience in Michigan. The member must demonstrate outstanding achievement, active FFA participation, and an exemplary scholastic record. Let’s hear about the finalists for 2020-2021 Star in Agricultural Production.
Sydney Masters from the Saline FFA chapter is one of the finalists for Star Farmer. Sydney’s SAE involves raising a registered shorthorn and shorthorn-plus beef herd. She also raises breeding and market animals for her county fair and sells freezer beef to customers. While working on her SAE, Sydney has learned skills that include basic her management skills and organizational techniques. We asked Sydney why she chose the SAE that she did, and she responded, “Having grown up on my family’s farm, I have been surrounded by cattle my whole life; this made starting my beef management SAE a no-brainer.” Congratulations, Sydney, on being named a finalist for Star Farmer!
Anna Moser from the Dansville FFA chapter is another finalist for Star Farmer! Anna’s SAE is a Dairy Entrepreneurship SAE, where she has developed her own herd of registered Holstein cattle called Class-A Holsteins. She is focused on raising and breeding high quality cattle to be able to compete in the show ring at the national level. This year she had a cow and a heifer both nominated Junior All-American. We asked Anna why she chose this SAE, and she responded, “Dairy cattle tend to come with the Moser name. My dad grew up on a dairy farm and my two older brothers and I have grown up in the show ring. Even though this was something I was born into, I have still been able to find ways to branch out and try different things with my herd.” Congratulations, Anna, on being named a finalist for Star Farmer!
Trent George from the Niles FFA Chapter is the last finalist for Star Farmer! Trent’s SAE is mainly sheep production. Trent owns a flock of registered Southdown breeding sheep, where he has found tremendous success. In the past three years, he has grown his flock from 11 mature ewes to now owning 32 ewes. Trent markets his lambs to Southdown breeders and junior showmen across the country through online and live sales. Trent has diversified his SAE by raising market hogs, lambs, and goats to sell at the Michigan Livestock Expo and his county fair, raising broilers for the FFA broiler contest, and has started his own hay business. We asked Trent what his favorite part of his SAE is, and he responded, “My favorite part of my SAE is lambing season. I enjoy seeing improvements in the quality of the lambs I produce each year. It is also great to have showring success with those animals and to see the accomplishments of the customers who buy sheep from my flock.” Congratulations, Trent, on being named a finalist for Star Farmer!
We are very proud of the Star Farmer finalists and cannot wait to see their projects continue to develop. Be sure to join us for the 93rd Michigan FFA State Convention the week of April 19, 2021 to watch the Star Farmer award ceremony. Tune in on the Michigan FFA Association Facebook page!
Written by Sarah Albrecht, State Secretary
