June 09, 2026

Meet the Finalists: Star in Agricultural Placement

By Martha Blum
Trent Stiers works at Strom Family Farms to repair and maintain equipment and he also tracks repair and maintenance records in the farm’s digital system.

Trent Stiers works at Strom Family Farms to repair and maintain equipment and he also tracks repair and maintenance records in the farm’s digital system. (Provided photo/Illinois FFA)

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — The winner of the Star in Agricultural Placement award will be announced during the Wednesday afternoon session of the Illinois FFA State Convention, set for June 9-11 at Bank of Springfield Center.

These five FFA members are competing for this prestigious award.

Trent Stiers

District: 1

Chapter: Williamsfield

FFA Adviser: Kent Rigg

Parents: Jeff and Joanie Stiers

SAE Project: Trent Stiers has worked more than 1,800 hours to repair and maintain equipment, operate machinery during the harvest season and do metal fabrication at Strom Family Farms. He started with basic jobs such as greasing and operating the grain cart to now independently operating almost all equipment on the farm. He also taken the lead role to track repair and maintenance records in the farm’s digital record-keeping system.

Trent Schmid is responsible for a variety of jobs at Robert Schmid Farms from machinery maintenance to assisting with corn and soybean production and he also works at two additional agricultural businesses.

Trent Schmid is responsible for a variety of jobs at Robert Schmid Farms from machinery maintenance to assisting with corn and soybean production and he also works at two additional agricultural businesses. (Provided photo/Illinois FFA)

Trent Schmid

District: 2

Chapter: Cissna Park

FFA Advisers: Jeff Clifton and Emily McClure

Parents: Robert and Katy Schmid

SAE Project: In the fall of 2022, Trent Schmid started working at Robert Schmid Farms to do a variety of jobs including preparing equipment for fieldwork, preforming large service or maintenance projects on machinery, planting corn and soybeans, implementing pest management practices, harvesting crops and completing tillage operations. The Cissna Park FFA member works at CP Diesel to keep the shop clean and manage the parts inventory. He is also employed by Kafer Tiling and Excavating to help implement tile and drainage systems for farms and to repair broken tiles.

Molly McCalla prepares to feed her Southdown flock that includes 109 head and she also assists with the McCalla Angus herd.

Molly McCalla prepares to feed her Southdown flock that includes 109 head and she also assists with the McCalla Angus herd. (Provided photo/Illinois FFA)

Molly McCalla

District: 3

Chapter: Staunton

FFA Advisers: John Davin, Spencer Laughlin and Maggie McCalla

Parents: Craig and Maggie McCalla

SAE Project: Molly McCalla started at McCalla Southdowns by performing basic flock care and advanced to flock manager of 109 sheep, where she makes decisions on nutrition, breeding, health and lambing. For McCalla Angus, the Star finalist supports herd nutrition, vaccinations, health monitoring and assists with calf weaning. At Greenville Veterinary Clinic, the Staunton FFA member job-shadowed Dr. Jennifer Ostrom to gain practical skills in animal care and client communication.

Rye Bliler checks on the flock of sheep at Indian Knoll where he is responsible for feeding, monitoring health and treating for illnesses of the animals.

Rye Bliler checks on the flock of sheep at Indian Knoll where he is responsible for feeding, monitoring health and treating for illnesses of the animals. (Provided photo/Illinois FFA)

Rye Bliler

District: 4

Chapter: Taylorville

FFA Advisers: Sue Schafer, Megan Beckmier, Charley Dammerman and Thomas Nichols

Parents: Nate and Elizabeth Bliler

SAE Project: Rye Bliler has worked with both cattle and sheep at Indian Knoll and cattle at JRW Calf Ranch. He is responsible for feeding, monitoring health and treating for illnesses of the animals. The FFA member has a grain project where he assists with all phases of crop-related work and he helps to lay and repair tile for field drainage systems.

Evan Riechmann assists with growing corn, soybeans and winter wheat on his family farm where he is involved with many tasks including harvesting of the crops

Evan Riechmann assists with growing corn, soybeans and winter wheat on his family farm where he is involved with many tasks including harvesting of the crops. (Provided photo/Illinois FFA)

Evan Riechmann

District: 5

Chapter: Valmeyer

FFA Adviser: Courtney Mosbacher

Parents: William and Jamie Riechmann

SAE Project: On his family farm, Evan Riechmann assists with growing irrigated and non-irrigated corn, soybeans and winter wheat. He manages and runs the center-pivot irrigation systems, which is an important role to help make the farm more profitable. He is involved with planting, harvesting, tillage operations and recordkeeping on the farm located in the southwestern part of the state.

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Martha Blum

Martha Blum

Field Editor