Youth News
Introducing Duke Kelln of the Shattuck FFA Chapter, Your 2019 Northwest Area Star in Agribusiness
Tue, 16 Apr 2019 10:16:02 CDT
During the month of April, the Radio Oklahoma Ag Network and Oklahoma Farm Report is spotlighting the twenty Area Stars of Oklahoma FFA that are among the highest achievers in the organization. The stars come from the five areas in four categories- Star in Ag Placement, Star in Agriscience, Star in Agribusiness and Star in Production Agriculture. This week, we spotlight the five area stars in Agribusiness for 2019. One Star Finalist featured in the coming days from each of the categories, will be named the State Star Award Winner during the Oklahoma State FFA Convention coming up April 30 - May 1, 2019 in Oklahoma City.
This week, our coverage of the 2019 Oklahoma FFA Star Award Finalists continues with Agribusiness competitor Duke Kelln of the Shattuck FFA Chapter, representing the Northwest Area. He's recognized for being part of several businesses including a livestock fitting program, a commercial cow/calf herd, a metal shop, and on top of all those he's a feed dealer.
Kelln's cow/calf herd started in 2015 with 13 head and he's proudly up to about 25 now. As far as the feed dealer part of his business ventures, Kelln mostly deals with goat production feed or show goat products. He said its fun and enjoys making a little money doing it. His livestock fitting business offers services to goat breeders around Texas and Oklahoma, fitting goats for online/live sales.
What he's truly passionate about is his metal shop. One of his favorite projects to work on is the trailers he builds; although, he said he's made everything from picnic benches to livestock production equipment. Some important aspects of the business he's already learned from his father.
"My dad has always told me: Pay Attention to Detail in Order to Retail. That's the main thing you've got to learn, you get what you pay for."
When talking about his involvement with FFA he said there is so much it has done for him.
"It's made me the person I am today. My dad is an Ag teacher, I was raised around this- and I just enjoy it. There's so much, it's hard to pinpoint one deal."
Duke intends to continue developing his metal working trade after graduation in the welding program at Cowley College.
You can hear his entire conversation with Radio Oklahoma Ag Network Farm Director Ron Hays, by clicking or tapping on the LISTEN BAR below.
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