Stars honored with ceremony at FFA convention

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Four members with outstanding projects that include cattle, flowers, sheep, auctioneering and hay production were presented the prestigious Star awards during the 97th Illinois FFA State Convention.

FFA members honored during the Stars Over Illinois Ceremony included: Star Farmer, Tucker Beckmier; Star in Agribusiness, Taylor Crouch; Star in Agriscience, Kade Boatman; and Star in Agricultural Placement, Reed Naughton.

Star Farmer

“It’s surreal, I wasn’t expecting this for sure,” said Taylorville FFA member Tucker Beckmier. “I worked hard and keeping records is not the easiest thing, but it was all worth it in the end.”

The Star Farmer manages a sheep flock.

“It is mainly Southdown sheep, but I am also starting to raise Hamps, Dorsets and a few Dorpers,” said the son of Craig and Michelle Beckmier.

Lambing season is one of Beckmier’s favorite times.

“I take notes if I need to choose a more lambing ease buck to help better my flock,” he said. “I’m out there all the time when they are lambing, but I don’t want to pull any lambs.”

Advised by Megan Beckmier, Sue Schafer and Charlie Dammerman, Beckmier also has a forage project that includes hay and straw production.

“I sell the bulk of the straw and the hay is all fed to my sheep,” he said. “My favorite thing is riding the rack wagon.”

This fall, the Star Farmer will be attending Lincoln Land Community College, where he will be a member of the livestock judging team and study animal science or agricultural business. He plans to transfer to a four-year university to complete his bachelor’s degree.

Star in Agribusiness

Taylor Crouch operates her flower shop, Petals and Blooms.

“I do flowers for weddings, funerals and homecomings,” the Star in Agribusiness said.

“My mom previously worked in the floral business and I absolutely love flowers,” said the daughter of Jeremy and Cassie Crouch. “When she introduced them to me, I knew I wanted to have flowers in my life.”

The Maroa-Forsyth FFA member started showing livestock when she was 3 years old.

Her second business is CF Supplies, where she sells livestock conditioners, shampoos and oils around Illinois and on the national level.

“I’ve shown sheep and pigs, so a livestock business came natural to me,” she said.

Winning the Star award was a goal for Crouch, who is advised by her mom, Cassie Crouch.

“I can’t even really describe this feeling,” she said. “It’s special, for sure.”

Star in Agriscience

Kade Boatman researched the scur gene in Hereford cattle to try to find the heritability pattern to reduce the amount of scurs that are on the animals.

“A scur is an incomplete redeveloped horn that is not attached to the skull,” the Byron FFA member said.

“At the end of the second year of research, I discovered a trait that I have called the nub trait,” said the son of Tom and Tammy Boatman. “It’s a nub that’s in the place of where the scur would be.”

“My third year of research I found there was definitely a higher correlation of scurs being passed on in the pedigrees that had nubs versus the ones that did not have nubs,” the Star winner said. “My fourth year of research I was able to prove the nub animals carry the scur gene.”

This research project, Boatman said, was driven from his passion for the Hereford breed and trying to figure out a solution to this problem he saw in his herd.

“I wanted this to benefit not only myself, but the whole Hereford breed,” he said.

Advised by Eric Tryggestad and Maggie Folk, Boatman figured out by his second year of research that he had a pretty special project.

“I took it and ran with it, and here I am,” he said.

Star in Agricultural Placement

Reed Naughton works with two family-run businesses — Naughton Auction Service and Naughton Angus.

The Olympia FFA member started helping with his dad’s auction company by running tickets when he was 6 or 7 years old.

“Now I’m working hay racks, lining up equipment and serving as a ring man on auction day,” said the son of Dan and Amy Naughton. “Hopefully, I will be going to auction school in Colorado in the future.”

In addition to assisting with his grandpa’s Angus herd, the Star winner also works for Timbercrest Land and Cattle where he gained a lot of show experience.

“I help with AI work and go to shows to help them with washing and fitting,” he said.

“This feels really good, it’s been a long time to wait since March,” said Naughton, who is advised by Bryce Hoffman. “It will be a little easier to sleep tonight.”

Winning the Star award was a goal for Naughton.

“My two cousins, Eric and Lizzie Schafer, have been major role models to me,” he said. “I’ve seen them do well in the past, so I wanted to keep the family tradition going.”