Montana FFA Member Selected in 2015 New Century Farmer program

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INDIANAPOLIS  – The National FFA Organization has selected 50 outstanding young people to participate in the 2015 New Century Farmer program. This exclusive, highly competitive program develops young men and women committed to pursuing a career in production agriculture.

 

Participants representing 50 states will take part in an intensive seminar July 12-18 in Johnstown, Iowa. They will learn from each other and industry experts during a series of workshops and sessions. Topics will include the global marketplace, farm financing, demographic trends and risk management. New Century Farmers will hear from motivating and informative keynote speakers who will educate them on the risk and rewards involved with production agriculture. In addition to classroom learning, students will experience the latest developments in agricultural technology.

 

Northern Ag Network had the opportunity to speak with Cali Christensen of Big Timber, MT who was selected as one of this year's program participants.  One of the components of the application process were questions about her future role in production agriculture including what new ideas she hopes to bring to the family ranch and things she would want to change.  “I'm a fan of how [the ranch] is run now” said Cali, “but we have to keep our options open and always look for opportunities to be more innovative, more sustainable.  We can always find ways to improve.”  Cali is excited for her upcoming trip and glad that program dates managed to fall between the Christensen ranch haying and harvest schedule.  Cali's future plans include finishing college and study abroad before returning home to help run the ranch with her parents.  

 

The New Century Farmer program is sponsored by DuPont Pioneer; Case IH; CSX Corporation; and Farm Credit with media partner Successful Farming as a special project of the National FFA Foundation. The program is designed to provide participants with valuable skills and knowledge applicable to their own farming operations. In addition, they will build a network of colleagues that will benefit them throughout their careers.

 

The 2015 New Century Farmers are:

California: Erica Larson of Sonoma; Cassidy Steenbock of Romoland
Iowa: Geordan Hanson of Elgin Iowa
Idaho: Kellsie Hodges of Salmon
Illinois: Patrick King of Oneida
Indiana: Jared Baird of Scottsburg, Mallarie Stookey of Milford
Kansas: A.J. Carlson of Clay Center
Massachusetts: Brianna Mann of Stoneham
Maryland: Jordan Borkoski of Baltimore; Dalton Clabaugh of Keymar
Michigan: Dalton Hard of Quincy; Ethan Haywood of Hastings
Minnesota: Jack Chisholm of Gary; Sam Mellgren of Cologne; Brett Petersen of Murdock
Missouri: Monica Campen of Canton; Emilee Haubner of Auxvasse; Cody Jones of Fulton; Jade Morgan of Lamar
Montana: Cali Christensen of Big Timber
North Carolina: Harrison Jenkins of Stony Point; Cara Ruth Pace of Clayton
North Dakota: Justin Bartholomay of  Sheldon; Kady Rath of McClusky; Joshua Stutrud of Barton; Brandon Weber of Thompson; Verlin Zacharias of Kathryn; Donovan Zacharias of Kathryn
New York: Logan Martin of Salamanca; Ryker Smith of Manilius
Ohio: Ryan Goddard of Urbana; Logan Russell of Wapakoneta; Ryan Schwyn of Marysville; D.J. Steele of Amanda; Lee Turner of Waynesfield; Ashley Vogt of Shelby; Ryan Walker of Houston
South Dakota: Adam Krause of Clear Lake; Tara Parmely of Miller
Utah: Calee Lott of Oakley
Virginia: Cole Ramsey of Waynesboro
Washington: Tanner White of Prosser; Olivia Zurcher of Mesa
Wisconsin: Brad Jaeger of Newton; Jackson Remer of Omro; Austin Sprecher of Sauk City; Aaron Zimmerman of Spencer

The National FFA Organization provides leadership, personal growth and career success training through agricultural education to 610,240 student members who belong to one of 7,665 local FFA chapters throughout the U.S., Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.

 

 

Source:  National FFA Organization

 

image courtesy of Calvin Christensen

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