Agricultural News
Travis Schnaithman Finalist for Star Farmer of America at Upcoming National FFA Convention.
Mon, 22 Sep 2008 12:58:44 CDT
The National FFA Organization has named Travis Schnaithman of Garber FFA a 2008 American Star Farmer finalist; he will compete with other finalists at the 81st National FFA Convention, Oct. 22-25, in Indianapolis, Ind. Schnaithman is a past President of the Oklahoma FFA Association- serving in 2006-2007 and was the Oklahoma Star Farmer in 2005. (In the picture on the right- you see Travis Schnaithman in the middle- surrounded by his State Officer team in 2006-2007.)
Each year at the national FFA convention, 16 national finalists (four per award) vie for the organization's top awards: American Star Farmer, American Star in Agribusiness, American Star in Agricultural Placement and American Star in Agriscience. These awards honor students who have developed outstanding agricultural skills and competencies through their career development programs; demonstrated outstanding management skills; earned the American FFA Degree - the organization's highest level of accomplishment; and met other agricultural education, scholastic and leadership requirements. Each finalist will be interviewed by a panel of judges, who will ultimately name the top candidate in each area. The winner will be announced in an onstage convention ceremony and will receive a plaque and an award of $4,000. The runners'-up will also receive plaques and $2,000 each.
Schnaithman began his FFA career in 2000 while he was an eighth-grader. He started planning for his farm and soon realized the potential. He soon added more equipment to his operation and diversified his livestock. He began to custom swath and bale hay and also raised natural club lamb prospects. Soon he was also implementing artificial insemination (AI) in his cow herds. In 2004, he decided to enhance his AI skills and attend the Reproduction Enterprises A.I. School. As a result, he's had success with his conception rates. Along with adding A.I. into his production, Schnaithman was able to add an additional 480 acres of land, and in 2007, added an additional 640 acres of land.
After graduation from Oklahoma State University, where he's majoring in agribusiness, Schnaithman plans to return to the farm as a full-time production agriculturist. He also hopes to serve as a voice for American agriculture in the political arena. Schnaithman is the son of Lee and Becky Schnaithman and is a member of the Garber FFA, where his advisor is Mark Sneary.
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