2011 Proceedings - National FFA Organization
2011 Proceedings - National FFA Organization
2011 Proceedings - National FFA Organization
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sTars oVer aMerICa pageanT<br />
Honors THe brIgHTesT In ffa<br />
Four outstanding <strong>FFA</strong> members<br />
who represent success<br />
in agricultural education were<br />
awarded the most prestigious<br />
honor that the <strong>National</strong> <strong>FFA</strong><br />
<strong>Organization</strong> awards. The<br />
American Star Farmer, American Star<br />
in Agriscience, American Star in Agricultural<br />
Placement and the American<br />
Star in Agribusiness were awarded<br />
to <strong>FFA</strong> members who have received<br />
the American Degree, established<br />
profitable agricultural enterprises or<br />
programs focusing on an agricultural<br />
field, demonstrated outstanding active<br />
involvement in both <strong>FFA</strong> and their communities<br />
and have met other rigorous<br />
agricultural education and leadership<br />
requirements. During the 84th<br />
<strong>National</strong> <strong>FFA</strong> Convention, each finalist<br />
participated in interviews by a panel of<br />
judges who ultimately named the top<br />
candidate in each area. Winners were<br />
announced in an onstage ceremony<br />
where they received a plaque and an<br />
award of $4,000.<br />
The American <strong>FFA</strong> Degree recognition<br />
programs are co-sponsored by<br />
Case IH of Racine, Wis.; Farm Credit<br />
Systems of Washington, D.C.; Pioneer<br />
Hi-Bred of Des Moines, Iowa; DTN –<br />
The Progressive Farmer of Omaha,<br />
Neb.; and Syngenta of Greensboro,<br />
N.C., as a special project of the<br />
<strong>National</strong> <strong>FFA</strong> Foundation.<br />
American star Farmer<br />
What began as a two-acre onion crop in 2005 has since expanded to<br />
a 640-acre diversified crop farm for Cole Vculek, who is from Crete,<br />
N.D. It could be just the beginning, as he hopes to farm up to 5,000<br />
acres by the time he turns 30.<br />
For his first few years, Vculek rented land from neighbors. His first<br />
crop consisted of two acres of red onions. He quickly added more<br />
land and began growing potatoes. In 2009 he added more than 200<br />
acres for a corn and soybean rotation, and he has also added navy beans to his operation.<br />
Recently Vculek purchased a 640-acre farm from a neighbor. He hopes to continue adding<br />
more cropland and also wants to add sugar beets as another part of his business.<br />
Vculek is a fifth generation farmer and currently operates on the land his great great<br />
grandfather homesteaded. He says the guidance his family has given him has been very beneficial<br />
in his success, and he also credits his involvement in <strong>FFA</strong>.<br />
“The experience I have gained through <strong>FFA</strong> has allowed me to be more confident, set<br />
goals and be willing to try new things,” Vculek said. “I have seen the importance of being<br />
involved and giving back to my community and organizations.”<br />
Vculek was a member of Oakes/Sargent Central <strong>FFA</strong> in Oakes, N.D. Vculek is a graduate<br />
of North Dakota State College of Science with a degree in Farm Management. His parents<br />
are Brian and Julie Vculek, and his chapter advisor was Daniel Spellerberg.<br />
American star in Agriscience<br />
As a freshman in high school, Keith bollinger, from Buffalo City,<br />
Wis., enrolled in a natural resources class. It was a prudent decision,<br />
as Bollinger today is a wildlife ecology major at the University of<br />
Wisconsin-Stevens Point. He also volunteers and is employed with two<br />
government services helping to restore Wisconsin prairies and control<br />
invasive plants.<br />
Bollinger, a member of the Cochrane-Fountain High School <strong>FFA</strong><br />
Chapter, was hooked on natural resource management after a project required him to count<br />
Sandhill Cranes in his county during that freshman natural resources class. In his SAE, Bollinger<br />
has monitored the water quality of two local streams, raised and released 80,000<br />
Galerucella Beetles to help control and eradicate the invasive plant purple loosestrife and<br />
restored bluff prairies to encourage repopulation of native species. Many of those efforts<br />
came when he volunteered with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and with<br />
the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Bollinger has developed a positive rapport with numerous<br />
natural resource management professionals in the area, and was hired as a biological technician<br />
for the USFWS where he gained experience by surveying bald eagles and heron rookery,<br />
sampled aquatic vegetation and gained training in silviculture. He has also been a part of the<br />
Student Temporary Employment Program (STEP) with the USFWS to gain experience. Bollinger<br />
plans to continue his education with a master’s degree in a natural resources field and<br />
hopes to become a natural resource biologist.<br />
Bollinger’s <strong>FFA</strong> chapter advisors are Christine Jumback and Chris Ritscher. His parents<br />
are Allen and Dorothy Bollinger.<br />
26 Believe <strong>Proceedings</strong> <strong>2011</strong>
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