Indiana FFA Star finalists named

TRAFALGAR, Ind. — The Indiana FFA Association named its 2023 State Star finalists.

After submitting an application, FFA members participated in a personal interview. Finalists will now undergo a site visit to determine which members will be deemed State Stars in their respective categories.

Winners will be announced at 7 p.m. June 21 at the Hoosier Degree Session during the 94th Indiana State FFA Convention at Purdue University.

Finalists In Agricultural Placement

Thomas Boggs, Warsaw FFA: As the fifth generation on his family’s farming operation, Boggs got his start in hay production. He continued to grow in his skills and knowledge, now in charge of most of the day-to-day tasks. This experience helped him to find a passion for plant science.

Abigail Hantz, Prairie Heights FFA: Her Supervised Agricultural Experience program consists of working on a local dairy farm, while also managing her own dairy herd. She began in May 2020, milking and feeding calves. Since then, she has expended her responsibilities into operating machinery and administering medication. Hantz has gone from a helping hand to active part in the daily management of the farm.

August Whitman, Sullivan FFA: Whitman works under his parents at WNR racing farms with responsibilities of breaking racing quarter horses, working with retired racing horses and maintaining the animals and facilities on a daily basis. In addition to his work at WNR, he also works with Noel Brothers Farms cattle and grain operations. There he can be found doing a variety of tasks such as vaccinating calves to running tillage equipment to prepare for the spring.

Ryan Kihlstrum, Eastern Hancock FFA: He works at B Thompson Associates LLC as a field tile technician. Kihlstrum started with no experience or knowledge of field tile. He is now able to recognize problems and fix them, complete tasks on his own and can now think steps ahead. He also analyzes field maps, selecting tile patterns and installing tile at the correct grade. Kihlstrum has recently started overseeing new hires and assists with their training.

Finalists In Agriscience

Justin Kilmer, Tri-County FFA: Kilmer grew lettuce and basil in hydroponic and aquaponic systems to see which would produce the best crop. During his experiment, he would measure the plant’s growth, color and health twice a week. Kilmer wanted to scale down the experiment to find out which option would be cheap, yet effective for the consumer. This project also required him to feed the beta fish used in the aquaponics system daily and then had to measure the plant growth twice a week.

Matthias Hefty, DeKalb FFA: Hefty wanted to reduce hay waste from his experiences raising sheep and meat goats. By reducing hay waste, he could increase the efficiency of the goat enterprise he shared with his sister. He collected 81 data points, from three variables and control, and was able to reduce hay waste by 85%. As the responsibility of his goat SAE increased, so did the use of the scientific method to solve problems in the goat herd.

Finalist In Agribusiness

Cole McCloskey, Lewis Cass FFA: McCloskey began buying, restoring and maintaining antique tractors and equipment after watching his dad and grandpa do it for many years. In 2021, he bought six tractors and many different implements and machinery. He plans to continue buying by selling some of the pieces. One of the biggest challenges has been finding parts for some of the tractors and has resulted in the need to recreate parts, as well. His skills continue to develop as he takes on more advanced and complex tasks to repair and maintain the antique equipment.

Finalists For Farmer

Mallory Bowers, Tippecanoe Valley FFA: Bowers is an owner of Bowers Southdowns. Starting with her grandfather and moving down the generations to her, this farmer owns a herd of 67 Southdown sheep. Her tasks are feeding, breeding management, health care, environment management and much more. She faced challenges through her SAE such as housing for her sheep, but thought of innovative ways to overcome this issue.

Paige Jacobs, NorthWood FFA: Jacobs earliest memories include caring for poultry production animals at her great grandparent’s house. She began with 30 commercial birds, eight laying hens and four exhibition ducks before expanding to 80 commercial chickens, 15 commercial turkeys, six commercial ducks, nine laying hens and 16 oriental pigeons over the past six years. She feeds and waters her poultry operation, cleans the barn, provides fresh bedding and completes regular health checks of her flock. Being able to manage all aspects of the operation ensures that Jacobs knows how much each bird costs from chick to meat on the table.

Lucas Lyons, Jay County FFA: As the seventh generation on his family farm, he has always been deeply immersed in agriculture. He began by helping out with the little tasks around the farm, which has progressed to 5 acres of hay, 65 acres of cash-rent ground and 30 to 40 goats he raises for market, all on his own. He manages his operation independently and still offers many hours of assistance to his family’s farm.

Stella Freuchtel, Blue River Valley FFA: She started her SAE as a solution to provide her family with safer dairy products. Her SAE has grown from one solitary dairy doe to almost 20 head of national show quality Nubians, Alpines, Sables and Recorded Grades. Over the past several years, she has learned how to improve the quality, production and consistency of her herd.