Youth News
Will Shelby of Madill FFA Named Winner of the 2017 FFA State Star in Ag Placment Award
Wed, 03 May 2017 18:21:06 CDT
Madill FFA member Will Shelby found a passion for agriculture through his involvement in FFA and his family's agricultural background, leading him to capture one of Oklahoma FFA's highest honors: the 2016 State Star in Agricultural Placement.
Shelby's supervised agricultural experience was rated the best in agricultural placement among the 797 FFA members who received the State FFA Degree during the 91st annual State FFA Convention on May 2.
Shelby's passion for veterinary medicine began at an early age when he began assisting his dad, Troy Shelby, on farm calls and at the sale barn, where he helped with aging, tagging and processing cattle.
Watch a video clip featuring the 2017 State Star in Ag Placement, Will Shelby, describe his ag placement SAE, by clicking or tapping the PLAY BUTTON in the video box below.
Throughout his employment with his father's veterinary services clinic, Shelby said he learned a wide variety of knowledge about the agricultural industry as well as experiences in veterinary medicine. He also expanded his knowledge of the beef industry, having been given the opportunity to work at the sale barn, he said.
"From my agricultural education and FFA experience, I have learned skills which will help me throughout life," Shelby said. "Time management, record keeping and making lifelong friends are all valuable skills I have learned through these opportunities."
Following graduation, Shelby plans to earn a degree in veterinary medicine from Oklahoma State University and return to rural Oklahoma to practice veterinary medicine.
Shelby received the Governor's Trophy and a $1,500 cash award, which sponsored at the state level by the Oklahoma Association of Electric Cooperatives. The national sponsor for the award is CNH Industrial Capital.
The 17-year-old Madill FFA member is the son of Troy and Merrily Shelby. His agricultural education instructors and FFA advisers are Michelle and Bart Harper.
FFA is an integral part of the Agricultural Education division in the Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education system. With more than 27,000 members and 357 chapters, the Oklahoma FFA Association is the fourth-largest state FFA association. The FFA mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education. To learn more about the Oklahoma FFA, visit okffa.org.
Shelby was featured on the Blue-Green Gazette page of our website earlier this year in recognition of his achievement being named the Southeast District Star in Ag Placement. Click or tap here to jump to that story.
Source - Oklahoma State FFA Association
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