Illinois FFA members honored with prestigious national awards

INDIANAPOLIS — Illinois FFA members received prestigious awards for the development of their outstanding projects during the 97th National FFA Convention & Expo in Indianapolis.

Lizzie Schafer earned the American Star in Agriscience award for her multiple research projects focused on making a difference for cattle producers.

And two Illinois FFA members received National FFA Agricultural Proficiency Awards for their Supervised Agricultural Experiences: Riley McDermott in Vegetable Production — Entrepreneurship/Placement; and Hannah Miller in Swine Production — Entrepreneurship.

American Star In Agriscience

Schafer was introduced on the National FFA Convention stage along with three other Star finalists.

“I was the first video they played and it felt like I was on stage forever,” the Taylorville FFA member said. “But when I rewatched it, I was only on stage for about five minutes, but it felt like an eternity.”

Once she heard her name as the Star winner, Schafer ran to the middle of the stage.

“It was really awesome and I was so excited I didn’t even have time to process it,” said the daughter of Aaron and Sue Schafer.

American Star in Agriscience has been a longtime goal for Schafer.

“I went to my first National FFA Convention when I was 10 or 12, and when I saw the stars on stage, I pointed to them and told my mom that I was going to be one of those some day,” said the FFA member who is advised by her mom, Sue Schafer, as well as Megan Beckmier and Charles Dammerman.

“It’s an amazing feeling to have all the hard work pay off in the end,” the American Star said. “I want to thank the people who helped me get to this point — obviously, my mom and dad, my grandparents and the people in the audience yelling my name.”

“It was awesome to be on that stage, but to know there were that many people cheering me on either there or at home is an experience I would not trade for anything,” Schafer said. “It makes the experience that much better to know so many people are standing behind you.”

Schafer is currently a junior at Kansas State University where she is studying animal science and agricultural communications, as well as doing broadcasts for ESPN.

In addition to plaques, Schafer received $2,000 as a Star finalist and $2,000 as the American Star.

“I’m going to use that money to continue my education,” the award winner said.

“I think everything FFA teaches you is amazing — it’s not just about the award,” she said. “Obviously, that was a huge goal of mine, but ultimately it is about trying to make connections and making me a better person.”

Vegetable Production Proficiency

Riley McDermott has been working in her family’s garden since she was a young girl.

“Gardening is something I’ve done my whole life, so for my FFA project I turned it into my business,” the Waterloo FFA member said.

The award winner’s garden is a little over 4,300 square feet.

“My business is called Tilled to Table and I started selling my produce at a small roadside stand just off the highway by my house,” she said. “As it grew I joined the county farmers market where I was making seven times the income and I had 10 times the number of customers.”

McDermott grows about 13 different varieties of vegetables including tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, zucchini, spinach, okra, beans, peas, garlic and onions.

“During my junior year in high school, I introduced canned goods because it was another family tradition,” said the daughter of Tim and Mindy McDermott. “I take the unsold produce from my garden, can it and sell that, as well.”

The FFA member’s No. 1 seller is tomatoes.

“Tomatoes are also what I use to make the majority of my canned goods that include tomato soup, bloody mary mix and salsa,” she said. “I have found a recipe for a lot of the vegetables that don’t get sold and that makes my business a little more sustainable.”

Advised by Elaine Rudolphi and Colton Henry, McDermott is currently in her second year of serving as the president of the Waterloo FFA Chapter.

She also enjoys competing in several Career Development Events including agronomy, forestry, public speaking and parliamentary procedure.

“I’m still shocked that I’m the national winner,” the high school senior said. “It is something I dreamed about and now it’s true.”

“Gardening is something I have always done so I didn’t think it was anything special,” she said. “It doesn’t seem that much of a chore to me because I enjoy it and if I didn’t like it I don’t think I would have gotten this far.”

Swine Production Entrepreneurship Proficiency

Hannah Miller owns and operates Hannah Miller Show Pigs.

“I have a seven-sow Spot and Tamworth herd,” the Prairie Central FFA member said. “The goal is to raise offspring that are competitive show pigs to sell to youth exhibitors to show on the county, state and national level.”

The high school senior retains some of her pigs to show at summer and winter shows.

“I also buy or lease four to five gilts and barrows to show,” said the daughter of Matt and Tammy Miller. “The gilts I purchase with the intention of diversifying and increasing the genetics of my herd.”

Pigs that are not sold as show pigs are marketed by Miller as heritage breed pork.

“I sell them to local people so I am able to sell the meat at a higher price than just selling the pigs to a packer,” the award winner explained.

“Not only have I been able to succeed, but it’s been really great to work with kids my age or younger than me and sell them pigs,” she said. “It’s been a rewarding experience to see customers succeed in the showring.”

Miller was quite surprised to win the national award.

“I was very shocked when my name was announced,” she said. “I was really happy to stand on stage as a top four finalist and when they said my name, my adviser started screaming and we were both very excited.”

Currently, Miller is president of the Prairie Central FFA Chapter that is advised by Becky Freed, Kyle Miller, Kylie Miller and Tyson Stork.

“I was the vice president of growing leaders for both my sophomore and junior years,” she said.

Over the past three years, Miller has competed in several CDEs at the National FFA Convention including milk quality and products, dairy cattle evaluation and management, and agricultural sales.