Youth News
Introducing Blake White of Chickasha FFA, Your 2019 Southwest Area Star in Ag Production
Tue, 23 Apr 2019 11:14:27 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 Ag Production 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 Blake White of the Chickasha FFA Chapter, your 2019 Southwest Area Star in Ag Production. Blake's farm has stocker cattle, cow/calf, as well as a drone aerial video operation. He started out buying 55 stocker heifers at a time, fattening them up for 6 months, then turning a profit on them. White is happy to be extending the family legacy of being farmers and ranchers.
"It's a lot of work and you have to learn how to be responsible. I've learned over time that that's how any farm is."
Even though he knows it'll be tough work constantly checking the fences and cattle for the rest of his life, Blake is determined to figure it out. He has found an innovative way to keep money coming into his operation through his father and grandfather's farm appraisal company.
"I bought a drone so that I could film all of the properties that they sell so buyers can see every single bit of a farm that they are looking at instead of just a few pictures. It has attracted a lot more buyers and I also get paid for it as my own business."
His process includes everything from going to the property, finding property lines, recording, and he's bought a program where later he can configure or edit the best video clips possible.
Becoming more social, getting involved in leadership, and learning responsibility are all qualities Blake credits to his time in FFA.
"I'm really involved with my chapter and I really love FFA. It's where my heart's at," said White, who is currently Chapter President. "It's really helped develop me as a person. It's turned me into who I am today."
At the end of the school year he'll head to OSU ambitiously taking on two majors, plant and soil sciences and ag business. After college graduation Blake plans to join his father and grandfather in building his farm, cow/calf, as well as stocker operation, and he hopes to be a farm and ranch appraiser.
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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