Youth News
American Farmers & Ranchers Presents Kohl Murray, Okla FFA's Central District Star in Ag Placement
Wed, 05 Apr 2017 15:24:36 CDT
During the month of April, the Radio Oklahoma Ag Network and Oklahoma Farm Report will be spotlighting the twenty District Stars of Oklahoma FFA that are among the highest achievers in the organization. The stars come from the five districts in four categories- Star in Ag Placement, Star in Agriscience, Star in Agribusiness and Star in Production Agriculture. We are beginning our series of profiles of the District Stars with the five district winners in Ag Placement. The top individuals in this category have been employed within the agricultural community- and are judged on the success of their work program. The member's placement experience can include paid labor hours or directed laboratory unpaid labor hours.
Hailing from the Perkins-Tryon FFA Chapter, Kohl Murray, has been named the Central District's Star in Ag Placement for his work on two family farm operations both managing crops and cow/calf herds. Murray says the projects he was assigned in the beginning of his career in Ag Placement, were mostly simple, but over the years he has been entrusted with greater tasks by his employers.
"I started doing simple things such as driving the tractor, hauling hay, working ground," recalled Murray. "I've now come to running a combine for the fifth year in a row and a lot of the things on making management decisions."
In order to be successful at his job, Murray has had to become very familiar with the new technologies that are becoming standard in today's modernized equipment as well as the constantly evovling varieties of seed he is responsible for sewing.
"I have read multiple owner's manuals on all of the equipment," Murray joked. "It's not the most fascinating thing to do, but it helps me know what I need to do with the system for my employer to be able to run it."
Murray believes that his involvement with the FFA has helped him in shaping his plans for the future and gives credit to those who have advised him with a variety of supervised agricultural experiences and career development events which include public speaking, showing goats, sheep and pigs, land judging and participating on an agricultural communications team.
"FFA has taught me a lot. It sort of guided me in what I wanted to do in the future," he said. "I know for sure I wouldn't be here if it hadn't been for ag teachers, or parents or anyone that's helped me get here."
As for those future plans, Murray hopes to attend Oklahoma State University to pursue a degree in Agricultural Education with an option in Agribusiness and intends to continue to see his work through at the two family operations in which he is currently employed.
You can hear his entire conversation with Radio Oklahoma Ag Network Farm Director Ron Hays, by clicking or tapping on the LISTEN BAR below.
A complete list of the District Stars can be seen on the Oklahoma FFA website by clicking or tapping here.
Our salute of the 2017 District Stars of the Oklahoma FFA is brought to you by American Farmers & Ranchers, proud to support Oklahoma's youth. Visit the AFR website by clicking or tapping here to learn more on how AFR supports the young people of Oklahoma, and how AFR can provide you with quality insurance for you home, auto, farm, and life.
WebReadyTM Powered by WireReady® NSI