June 12, 2025

Star in Agricultural Placement

By Martha Blum
Kendall Boatman works with registered Hereford cattle at Perks Ranch where she is involved with all aspects of managing the ranch.

Kendall Boatman works with registered Hereford cattle at Perks Ranch where she is involved with all aspects of managing the ranch. (Provided photo)

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — The Star in Agricultural Placement award will be presented during the Stars Over Illinois ceremony on Wednesday, June 11.

The following FFA members were selected as district winners.

Kendall Boatman

District: 1

Chapter: Byron

FFA Advisers: Eric Tryggestad and Maggie Folk

Parents: Tom and Tammy Boatman

SAE Project: For her FFA project, Kendall Boatman works at Perks Ranch, a 600-acre, cow-calf operation that has about 150 head of registered Hereford cattle. She is involved in all aspects of managing the ranch, including breeding decisions, calving season and herd health, operating equipment, and assisting with hay production. She manages the show and sale cattle, and does various tasks, including feeding, halter breaking, daily hair care, working with customers, and organizing crews for shows and sales.

Reed Naughton checks on a calf for his FFA project where he is employed at two different farms. He also assists with auctions for Naughton Auction Service.

Reed Naughton checks on a calf for his FFA project where he is employed at two different farms. He also assists with auctions for Naughton Auction Service. (Provided photo)

Reed Naughton

District: 2

Chapter: Olympia

FFA Adviser: Bryce Hoffman

Parents: Dan and Amy Naughton

SAE Project: For his FFA project, Reed Naughton has worked at more than 25 sales for Naughton Auction Service and learned about the auction industry from the ground up. In addition, Naughton works for Timbercrest Land and Cattle to help manage the 40-cow herd. Working at Naughton Angus farm has taught the FFA member about raising replacements and market cattle.

Emma Moss operates a tractor on her family farm, where they raise corn and soybeans on almost 4,000 acres.

Emma Moss operates a tractor on her family farm, where they raise corn and soybeans on almost 4,000 acres. (Provided photo)

Emma Moss

District: 3

Chapter: Pittsfield

FFA Adviser: Emily Friese

Parents: Jaron and Ashley Moss

SAE Project: The Pittsfield FFA member is employed on her family farm, Moss Family Farms, which includes growing corn and soybeans on almost 4,000 acres. Her responsibilities include office work, basic shop upkeep, operating equipment and grain center management.

Gehrig Bunselmeyer weighs vegetables at the produce stand at Maddox Farm. He also manages the fruit, popcorn and vegetable harvest and production at the farm.

Gehrig Bunselmeyer weighs vegetables at the produce stand at Maddox Farm. He also manages the fruit, popcorn and vegetable harvest and production at the farm. (Provided photo)

Gehrig Bunselmeyer

District: 4

Chapter: Maroa-Forsyth

FFA Adviser: Cassie Crouch

Parents: Mark and Mindy Bunselmeyer

SAE Project: Gehrig Bunselmeyer is a crew boss, lead stand operator and field and crop manager at Maddox Farm. He manages the fruit, popcorn and vegetable harvest and production. His management responsibilities at the produce stand include interacting with customers, handling money and troubleshooting issues that buyers might have. He focuses on keeping accurate records to keep his employer up to date on changing production issues and sales volume.

Macy Calloway waters plants in the nursery operations at Stuckmeyers. Her additional duties at the farm include planting seeds and plugs as well as answering questions from customers.

Macy Calloway waters plants in the nursery operations at Stuckmeyers. Her additional duties at the farm include planting seeds and plugs as well as answering questions from customers.

Macy Calloway

District: 5

Chapter: Waterloo

FFA Advisers: Elaine Rudolphi and Colton Henry

Parents: Adam and Sarah Calloway

SAE Project: At Stuckmeyers, Macy Calloway is responsible for several tasks in the vegetable production area including checking produce each morning for soft or bad spots, operating the register and sanitizing produce when it arrives from the farm. In the nursery operations, Calloway waters plants, plants seeds or plugs and answers questions from customers. Calloway is also the greenhouse manager at her high school where she oversees the plant sales, orders materials and cares for plants by providing adequate fertilizer and scouting for pests.

Animal WelfareAuctionsBeefCornFarm EquipmentFarm Family LifeFarmers MarketFFAFruitGrain HandlingHayLivestockPopcornSoybeansYoung Leaders
Martha Blum

Martha Blum

Field Editor