Stars Over America
The Stars Over America Award recognizes the outstanding achievements of FFA members in their Supervised Agricultural Experience programs. Sixteen individuals are recognized as finalists in four areas: Agribusiness, Farmer, AgriScience, and Placement. This is one of the most prestigious awards in the organization.

Nebraska had a Star in Ag Placement finalist: Richard Bartos of Creighton. As a child, Bartos would take things apart, trying to figure out how they work. Today, the inquisitiveness of the Creighton, Nebraska, resident could lead him to top honors.

As a child, Bartos looked up to his dad, who owns a repair shop, and wanted to be just like him. Bartos’ dad was a key factor for his interest in the field of mechanics, however, his FFA participation allowed him to follow his dreams even before he was out of high school.

In high school, Bartos found himself in agricultural education classes and spending numerous hours in the school’s shop making, projects. Soon, he was spending time at his father’s shop, learning more every day.
He currently works at RB’s Repair in Creighton, and the facility covers 8,200 square feet and consists of an updated shop and expanded parts area.

Bartos has been working full-time at RB’s for the last year and has now successfully completed the Automotive Technology program at Southeast Community College, where he advanced his mechanical skills. “I feel that my years in FFA have increased my talents in placement and mechanics,” Bartos says. “Through my accomplishments in placement and FFA, I feel that I have the potential to succeed in all of life’s challenges.”

He is the son of Rick and Patty Bartos and is a member of the Creighton FFA Chapter, where his advisor is Ron Sukup.

Model of Innovation
Franklin FFA Chapter, Dave Rocker, Advisor—The Franklin FFA Chapter was named a finalist as a Model of Innovation in Chapter Development. This award recognizes the chapter’s activities to increase involvement in their local chapter. Toyota and the Land ‘O Lakes Foundation sponsored the Models of Innovation awards, as a special project of the National FFA Foundation.

Agri-Entrepreneurship Award
The purposes of this program are to encourage local visibility for agri-entrepreneurship education and to engage students, teachers, schools, parents and community leaders in dialogue about entrepreneurship education.

Levi Ochsner, Sutton FFA Chapter—Levi owns and operates L&D Fisheries, an enterprise that produces and markets Donaldson Steelhead Trout.

Judd Went, Lakeview FFA Chapter—Judd owns and operates Judd’s Lean Lamb, an enterprise that raises lambs and sells meat to restaurants. Judd also owns an enterprise called Went Club Lambs in which he produces and sells fair and show lambs.

Proficiency Winners
Members who excel in their SAE (supervised agricultural experience) programs can be
recognized through the proficiency award program. These awards encourage members to develop specialized skills that will apply toward a future career. Members are recognized at the local, state and national levels.

A student can select from two proficiency award categories. One is called “placement” for work or experience only SAE programs.  The other, called “entrepreneurship” is for programs that typically involve ownership of an agricultural production or agribusiness enterprise.

Beef Production – Placement
Jeffrey M. Schroeder, Wisner-Pilger FFA—Growing up in an area of Nebraska that averages 955 cattle per square mile, it seemed natural that Wisner-Pilger FFA member Jeffrey M. Schroeder would be drawn to beef production. Schroeder works with cattle in all phases at a commercial feedlot. After an injury sidelined him for 13 months, he began to more seriously analyze his long-term goals and eventually focused on a career in large animal nutrition and meat sciences. To his benefit, Schroeder’s SAE gave him a head start in this area through exposure to the operation’s modern technologies that include computerized ration mixing and electronic animal tracking. Schroeder’s accomplishments are recognized by his mother, Debra, and his father and FFA advisor, Mark J. Schroeder. This award is sponsored by Fort Dodge Animal Health and Midwest PMS.

Fiber and/or Oil Crop Production—Entrepreneurship/Placement
Adam Venteicher, Pierce FFA—Managing 27 acres of soybeans, Pierce FFA member Adam Venteicher started his own crop two years ago. In an area of Nebraska where soybeans generally derive more profit than corn, Venteicher’s decision to diversify has been rewarded with increased profits. He has continued to increase his yield while performing all labor from planting to combining. Having successfully doubled his acreage in two years, Venteicher looks forward to earning a degree in diesel technology and animal science. Sharing in his success are his parents, Kenneth and Donna, and FFA advisor, Jodi Borchers. This award is sponsored by Syngenta Seeds Inc. and National FFA Foundation.

Small Animal Production and Care Entrepreneurship/Placement
Derrick L. Rocker, Franklin FFA—Franklin FFA member Derrick Rocker started his business with three Bichon Frise dogs and has since expanded to include Italian Greyhounds as well. He does such a good job caring for the animals and advertising for them in newspapers and on the Internet, that he is able to regularly sell them before they are four months old. Besides continuing his business, Rocker also plans to study animal science at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln for a possible career as a state or USDA kennel inspector.  He has also considered a career in the pet food nutrition area. His father and FFA advisor Dave Rocker and his mother, Connie, celebrate his success. This award is sponsored by Merial.

Swine Production – Entrepreneurship
Emily Arkfeld, Lourdes Central FFA (located in Nebraska City)—Lourdes Central Catholic FFA member Emily Arkfeld raises Purebred Registered Hampshire swine on her Nebraska operation. She has been able to combine her SAE with her interest in agriscience, researching the testing of pork carcass quality traits. Realizing the importance of marketing to any enterprise, Arkfeld has also publicized her operation in state agricultural publications and on the Internet. Supported by her mother, Luanne, and FFA advisor and father, Timothy, Arkfeld plans to maintain her high school 4.0 GPA and eventually earn a doctoral degree in meat science. This award is sponsored by the National FFA Foundation.

AgriScience Student
Emily Arkfeld, Lourdes Central FFA (located in Nebraska City)—On October 27, Arkfeld was reconigzed as AgriScience Student of the Year and was presented with a $1,500 scholarship during the 80th annual National FFA Convention. She is a member of the Lourdes Central Catholic FFA Chapter in Nebraska City, NE and is the daughter of Luanne and Timothy Arkfeld. Her FFA advisor is Mr. Timothy Arkfeld, Emily’s project includes studying the roles of genetics int eh meat quality of swine.

American Degree Recipients
This degree marks the highest level of membership which may be achieved in our organization. This year, there were 203 students who received their degree.