October 31, 2024

Star in Agribusiness Finalists

By Martha Blum

Since 2018, Kathryn Wagner has raised and sold Labrador retriever puppies and currently she owns five female and two male dogs.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — The winner of the Star in Agribusiness award will be presented during the Stars over Illinois ceremony June 15.

The following FFA members have been selected as district winners.

Kathryn Wagner

District: 1

Chapter: Mercer County

FFA Advisers: Aaron Heartt, Brandon Livingston and Hannah Libby

Parents: Scott and Julie Wagner

SAE Project: Kathryn Wagner raises and sells Labrador retriever puppies through her business, Centennial Farm Labradors. The FFA member has operated her business since 2018 and currently owns five female and two male dogs. The FFA member plans to continue her business into the future.

Halie Kohl grows vegetables in her garden and sells them through Halie’s Farmstand which is open from July to October and is set up as a self-serve operation.

Halie Kohl

District: 2

Chapter: Herscher

FFA Adviser: Katlyn Post

Parents: Jason Kohl and Lisa Patchett

SAE Project: Herscher FFA member Halie Kohl has three FFA projects, including a 16-by-20-foot garden. She markets her vegetables through her main FFA project, Halie’s Farmstead. At the farmstand, she sells cucumbers, tomatoes, zucchinis and pumpkins along with straw bales and eggs. The farmstand is open from July to October and it is set up as self-serve. Kohl also has a swine project where she raises pigs in a feeder-to-finish operation and shows them during the summer at Illinois fairs.

Dillon Bartlett designs, fabricates and sells horseshoe and sheet metal art, as well as makes new brackets and parts for equipment. He has sold over 65 products to customers and donated to local fundraisers and benefit auctions.

Dillon Bartlett

District: 3

Chapter: West Prairie

FFA Advisers: Sam DeCounter and Corinne Biswell

Parents: Lonnie and Wendy Bartlett

SAE Project: For his FFA project, Dillon Bartlett designs and creates horseshoe and sheet metal art along with new brackets and parts for equipment. Bartlett uses new and used horseshoes and has sold over 65 products and has donated items to local fundraisers and benefit auctions. In addition to learning how to manage time and inventory, Bartlett has learned what to sell in certain markets through his FFA project.

In addition to completing various landscape projects for individuals and businesses, Eli Arenas enjoys propagating and growing plants including oaks, magnolias and woody shrubs.

Eli Arenas

District: 4

Chapter: South Central

FFA Adviser: T.J. Bolin

Parents: Andy and Stacey Arenas

SAE Project: Eli Arenas enjoys propagating and growing plants including oaks, magnolias and various woody shrubs for his FFA project. He has completed landscaping projects for individuals and businesses and the best part of his project is sharing knowledge with customers about the importance of avoiding invasive species when they are making plant selections. Arenas plans to attend Southern Illinois University to major in forestry with the goal of becoming a silviculturist.

On average, Noel Peas mows about 65 yards per week for his FFA project and his goals are to reach 100 lawns next year and continue to grow his business until he employs multiple crews for his company.

Noel Peas

District: 5

Chapter: Goreville

FFA Adviser: Jeff Robison

Parents: Alex and Tara Peas

SAE Project: For his turf grass management project, Noel Peas mows an average of 65 yards per week. He uses two commercial grade Hustler zero-turn mowers, Stihl trimmers and leaf blowers to complete the work. For next year, Peas’ goal is to increase to 100 lawns and his long-term goal is to have multiple crews working for his company.

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Martha Blum

Martha Blum

Field Editor