June 09, 2026

Meet the Finalists: Star in Agriscience

By Martha Blum
Toby Williams completed several FFA projects that have focused on improving human health by studying sourdough fermentation, potatoes and cooked rice products.

Toby Williams completed several FFA projects that have focused on improving human health by studying sourdough fermentation, potatoes and cooked rice products. (Provided photo/Illinois FFA)

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Three district winners for the Star in Agriscience award will be honored on the stage of the Illinois FFA State Convention, set for June 9-11 at Bank of Springfield Center.

The following FFA members have developed award-winning projects.

Toby Williams

District: 1

Chapter: Stark County

FFA Advisers: Preston Parrish and Taylor Wilkinson

Parents: Nora and Shawn Williams

SAE Project: For his FFA project, Toby Williams focused on improving human health through traditional food practices and modern scientific investigations. He completed several projects that included studying lactic acid bacteria in sourdough fermentation, analyzing starch retrogradation in potatoes and its effects on blood glucose and investigating microplastic contamination in cooked rice products.

Elizabeth Hubbard works in the lab to examine the effects of CuSO4 pollution on aquatic organisms.

Elizabeth Hubbard works in the lab to examine the effects of CuSO4 pollution on aquatic organisms. (Provided photo/Illinois FFA)

Elizabeth Hubbard

District: 3

Chapter: Southeastern

FFA Adviser: Amanda Hesse

Parents: Nancy and Justin Rampley

SAE Project: Elizabeth Hubbard completed two FFA projects. Her first project investigated copper(II) sulfate, or CuSO4, pollution effects on aquatic organisms by exposing brown planaria and duckweed by increasing concentrations and monitoring survival, regeneration and growth. For Hubbard’s second project, she examined how the use of livestock manure may contribute to the spread of antibiotic-resistant genes in soil. She collected and analyzed soil samples using DNA extraction, polymerase chain reaction and gel electrophoresis to determine if resistant genes like tetM and tetB were present.

Grace King evaluates the best shampoo to use for bathing her corgi to prevent shedding.

Grace King evaluates the best shampoo to use for bathing her corgi to prevent shedding. (Provided photo/Illinois FFA)

Grace King

District: 4

Chapter: Nokomis

FFA Advisers: Marrisa Carlock and Mason Fesser

Parents: Cory and Beth King

SAE Project: Grace King started her animal system research study in 2024 to see if feeding collagen to sheep would have an effect on their shag growth. Her second project focused on determining the best shampoo to use on her corgi to prevent shedding.

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Martha Blum

Martha Blum

Field Editor