2010 FFA STATE
STARS
-Star
in Agribusiness Winner
Grayson
Spangelo,
Hebron
Grayson Spangelo,
Hebron
, won the ND FFA Star in Agribusiness Award at the State FFA Convention, held
recently on the NDSU campus in
Fargo
.
Grayson,
a graduate of
Hebron
High School
, began a lawn mowing business, ‘Lawns by Grayson,’ in his hometown six
years ago. The business started to fill the need of many elderly residents for
quality lawn care and quickly expanded from just the elderly to include city
parks and cemeteries. As word spread of his service, Grayson added equipment and
employees.
When custom harvesters discontinued serving the area in 2008, Grayson
responded by starting ‘Big Lawns by Grayson’, purchasing a used combine and
leasing trucks. His reputation for quality service brought many customers and
necessitated purchasing another combine in 2009. He attributes much of his
success to his hard work and his thirteen part-time employees.
Grayson has been active in band, pep band, drama club, student council,
basketball, football, golf and FFA. Since his involvement began in FFA four
years ago, he has received numerous FFA awards including Star Greenhand, Chapter
Star Agri-businessman, district winner in Wildlife Management Proficiency,
Agricultural Services Proficiency, Ag Sales Entrepreneurship Proficiency,
district and state winner in Turf Grass Management Proficiency, and the district
and state winner in Ag Services Proficiency area.
Grayson plans to attend NDSU, majoring in agribusiness.
His parents are Bob and Cathy Spangelo.
His FFA Advisor is Riston Zielke.
-Star
in Ag. Placement Winner
Tonya
Zimmerman, Garrison
Tonya
works on her family’s diversified crop production operation for her parents,
Jerry and Tamra Zimmerman and her two older brothers. Much of her time is spent
in a John Deere 9860 combining wheat, durum, peas and sunflowers. Over the years
her responsibilities have increased with being responsible for more servicing
and everyday maintenance of the machinery. She has also learned how to use the
GPS and Auto Steer systems. Tonya has been active in FFA and has served as the
chapter reporter and served as vice-president this past year. Her advisor is
Glen Huettl.
-Star
Farmer Winner
Vance
Zacharias, Enderlin
High quality grain, good yields, and
profit are what Vance Zacharias had hoped to achieve when he was planning his
Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE). Vance
met his goals and learned many skills to prove why he was selected for the ND
FFA Star Farmer at the ND State FFA Convention.
Vance has been working for and now
farming with Future Vision Partnership, his parent’s partnered farm, for over
nine years. In that time he was able
to buy 393 acres from his uncle, starting his own farming career.
Vance understands how the business runs and is involved in management.
Vance explains, “We meet on a yearly basis to determine the levels of
achievement of my goals and to set new goals for the upcoming year.”
He understands that growing
soybeans is not always an easy task. Dealing
with flooding, weather, pests, and a crude oil pipeline built across his
property are a few things Vance has found as difficulties when farming.
However, with the help of his fellow coworkers and family he is able to
rent facilities and equipment, and have help with production and management of
his crops which gives him a few advantages when starting out.
At various times of the year you’ll find Vance caring for his farm by
planting, spraying, and harvesting, and using various marketing plans for his
soybeans.
During Vance’s high
school career he has been active in band, choir, National Honor Society, student
council, speech, and numerous math competitions.
In his community he was involved in his community band, church and its
youth activities, Governor’s Youth Council, and
Academic
All
State
. Vance also was extremely active in
his FFA chapter; he participated in many conferences and conventions,
fundraising, and many competitions. He
held various chapter offices including a two-year term as president.
Vance took his real world experience to the mat as he was a member of the
crops judging team where he was named Top Crops Judger of the Enderlin FFA.
Vance has started building a resume that will impress any employer who
comes across it.
Vance plans on attending
NDSU to pursue a double major in ag economics and ag systems management.
He would like to intern with an innovative farm or company during the end
of his college career. He hopes to
one day return to the farm and be an active partner and maybe someday CEO of
Future Visions. Vance is someone
that deserves congratulations for his outstanding achievement!
However, watch out for Vance; he is far from done!
Vance’s parents are
Vaughn and Dorinda Zacharias and his advisor is Bob Moller.
-Star
Agriscience Winner
Devon
Hafner, Carrington
Devan Hafner, a recent
graduate of Carrington High School, earned the distinction of winning the FFA
State Star of Agriscience at the State FFA Convention in Fargo, ND.
Devan is the owner/manager/operator of Hafner Tree Service.
He markets his service by doing a good job and having his customers
recommend him to others.
Devan’s wears many hats
with his service. He is responsible for planting, weeding, pruning, staking and
any other activity required for excellent tree care.
He has found out that the tree service is a very demanding and labor
intensive job. He has planted over 400 trees and has also helped maintain trees
for the elderly who are unable to do the work themselves, thus providing a
service to the community.
He is active in his FFA
chapter and school activities. He has been involved in many competitions such as
dairy foods, food science, and advanced ag mechanics. He has been a member of
football, basketball and golf teams.
Devan plans to attend NDSU
this fall and major in agronomy. With
his love of outdoors and hunting, he will continue to be concerned about his
environment and wildlife. Devan’s
parents are Todd and Missy Hafner and his advisor is Joel Lemer.
ND FFA Foundation