Star in Agriscience finalists

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — The winner of the Star in Agriscience award will be announced during the Wednesday afternoon session of the Illinois FFA Convention starting at 2 p.m.

These FFA members are competing for this prestigious award.

Samantha Alvarez

District: 2

Chapter: Burlington Central

FFA Advisers: Ryan Robinson and Ryan Dalen

Parents: David and Myrna Alvarez

SAE Project: Samantha Alvarez has completed two FFA science projects. The first project looked at how improper fertilizer use leads to environmental and health detriments. In her second project, Alvarez tested an alternative method to traditional pesticides through the use of RNAi to target the pest at the genetic level. She found an increased mortality rate following the exposure to two DsiRNAs when testing on model red flour beetles.

Megan Baker

District: 4

Chapter: Neoga

FFA Adviser: Cody Carman

Parents: Andy and Christine Baker

SAE Project: Neoga FFA member Megan Baker researched the effects of conservation methods on water quality for her FFA project. She planted a two-acre buffer strip with trees and shrubs in between a field and creek. Baker used several types of testing including water quality, macroinvertebrate sampling, soil and tissue tests to evaluate the effectiveness of the conservation practice.