ND FFA Foundation
"Bringing you news of the best
students in North Dakota"
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FFA Stars Honored for Outstanding Projects
Payton Lautenschlager,
Berthold WINNER Payton’s
SAE started out as raising and showing beef cattle but after visiting with area
producers, he and his brother Mason saw a need for someone to tear down and
build barb and smooth wire fences. After one year of testing the waters
with borrowed equipment, Payton and Mason built their own business and started
the Fast Fencing LLC. The business has continued to expand with the
addition of new equipment and more miles of fence. He hopes to continue
the fencing business while attending Drew
Kamrath, Washburn Drew
has been mowing lawns since his eighth grade year. This has turned into a
Turf Grass Management SAE where this year he mowed approximately nine lawns. In
addition to his paying customers, Drew has also donated his time mowing and
trimming yards for people who were unable to pay. He wants to give back to
the community so he was quick to volunteer to help out and takes pride in the
work he does for them. Drew is also serving as the chapter secretary for
the Washburn FFA Chapter and has participated in several CDEs including
agricultural mechanics, crops, dairy foods, meats, farm business management,
Parli Pro, and quiz. His FFA advisor is Mike Kamrath and is the son of
Mike and Audra Kamrath Nikita
Wright, Maddock A.S. Gibbens Growing up and working on a
farm that raises both beef cattle and a small animal care facility is how
Nikita’s SAE started. Working for her mother gave her experiences in the
production and care of dogs which has developed into her own share of animals.
Today she runs a very modern, well-kept facility that is inspected by the USDA
and has a very positive reputation. Through an SAE agreement setup by her
parents and FFA Advisor Gary Wald, Nikita spends her 1st hour Ag
class cleaning, feeding, and maintaining her enterprise. These experiences
have helped grow the business to market animals throughout the country.
Nikita plans to pursue a career with the North Dakota National Guard and
continuing to operate her Small Animal Business. Her parents are Jeffrey
and Valorie Wright. -Stars
in Ag. Placement Matthew Ottis, Kindred
WINNER Matthew’s
placement consists of working on his family’s fourth generation farming
operation. They grow 5,500 acres of wheat, soybeans, sunflowers, and corn.
Over the years his responsibilities have grown and today he has the ability to
perform all of the necessary tasks on the farm. Matthew plans to return to
the family farm upon his graduation from Michael
Duchsherer, Velva Michael
Duchsherer has a 2-part SAE program consisting of farm placement with his father
Darryl and working at Gooseneck Implement in Velva. There he sets up
machinery, helps mechanics, cleans and maintains tractors and does factory
service checks. Michael has worked at Gooseneck for 2 years and plans to
continue working there after graduation. Next year he plans to attend BSC,
and get training as a mechanic and eventually take over the family farm.
He has served as Chapter Vice-President and his advisor is Noel Podoll. Michael
Ostrem, Mike
is the son of Rick and Lynne Ostrem. As a young man Mike started working
on the Ostrem farm south of Gregory
Wanner, Glen Ullin Gregory works on his family's
diversified Ag production operation for his parents David and Cheryl Wanner.
The farm runs approximately 450 head of cattle and just over 2000 acres of
wheat, sunflowers, corn silage, barley and oats. In addition to his
placement he has also started his own cattle herd expanding to 20 head in 2010.
Gregory hopes to return to the farm after he finishes a General Agriculture
degree from -Star
Farmers Josh Stutrud, Josh
is the fourth generation to work on his family’s farm just outside of Barton,
ND. Josh’s SAE started in 8th grade when he rented 134 acres
on shares to produce hard red spring wheat. His operation has expanded to
140 acres of Barley, 14 beef cows, 108 acres of alfalfa, 29 acres of corn, 10
acres of wheat and 10 acres of soybeans. Josh has setup labor exchange
agreements with his father and grandfather for use of machinery and has
purchased a corn planter and small shares in other equipment. Josh has
served both as Vice President and Reporter of the Taylor
Friesz, New Growing
up on a ranch north of New Salem, ND, Amber
Piatz, Napoleon Amber
is the daughter of Randy and Coleen Piatz. Her SAE started in 8th
grade when she starting helping her dad on the families diversified farming and
ranching operation. Her project has expanded over the years to 40 beef,
and produces spring wheat, sunflowers, soybeans and corn. Amber has kept
excellent SAE records and was a member of the State SAE Record Book Championship
team in 2009 & 2010. Amber is just completing her second term as
President of the Napoleon FFA Chapter. Her advisor is Brian Schneider. Nevada Turbiville is the son of
Jim and Sheryl Turbiville who farm and ranch southwest of
Benjamin
Backstrom, Maddock A.S. Gibbens Ben
started his SAE by working on his families diversified grain farm. There
he developed an interest in crops and weeds which later translated into a
research project. His research focused on the possibility of growing weeds
as crops for biofuels and possible human consumption. In addition to his
research Ben also has interests in machine restorations. He has restored a
1917 hit and miss engine and at present a 1935 Buick 2-door coupe. Ben has
served as the Student Advisor and Sentinel of the Maddock A.S. Gibbens FFA
Chapter and his FFA advisor is Gary Wald. His parents are Dennis and
Priscilla Backstrom. Rachel
Olson, Maddock A.S. Gibbens Rachel has been involved in the
local, regional and state science fairs where she presented her agriscience
projects “hydroponics in agriculture”, “benefits of organic
fertilizers”, and “chemicals to help plants grow bigger.” In addition to
spending all the time on her research projects she also works on her family’s
cow calf operation where she owns cattle. With her SAE experiences she
plans on getting a science degree and work in a lab to develop new methods to
help agriculture. Rachel is a member of the Maddock A.S. Gibbens FFA
Chapter and her advisor is Gary Wald. She is the daughter of Daryl and Val
Olson.
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In
2012, we have the following companies as Star Partners:
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