Youth News
Michael St. Clair of Bethel FFA Named as the Oklahoma FFA State Star in AgriBusiness at the 93rd Oklahoma FFA convention
Wed, 01 May 2019 15:02:06 CDT
The Central Star in Agribusiness, Michael StClair of the Bethel FFA Chapter, has been named the Oklahoma FFA State Star in Agribusiness at the 93rd Annual Convnetion of the Oklahoma FFA. St. Clair is the first one in his family to join FFA. On his first-generation farm he owns over 200 chickens used primarily for laying eggs, he's got four cows in his cow/calf operation, tends a 1-1&1/2 acre garden, and is raising three breeding sows.
"My favorite is the chickens. People call me Chicken Mike," said Michael with a smile. "That's what first made me join FFA. It's been a fun thing to be involved in."
His diverse operation has taught him a lot about vaccinations how, when, and what diseases to treat them for and he says caring for each species takes a little different skill set. Learning to care for the animals is just as important as the knowledge he's gained marketing for his business. In the fall he sells meat from the birds, his cattle go up to the Oklahoma City Stockyards, the pigs are sold as show swine, and his produce goes to a local farmer's market.
Being one of about ten other vendors at the farmer's market, he said he gets to talk to people who are a lot more experienced. This has trained him in some tricks of the trade.
"You definitely have to market what you sell and you also have to try different tricks to get people to buy from you. One thing I've learned is you've got to try something exotic- some kind of produce no one else has seen. They'll come and check it out and while they're there looking at that, they will also buy other things from you."
After graduation Michael hopes to attend Oklahoma State University and become a veterinarian.
You can watch the video shared in the Fifth General Session at the Oklahoma FFA Convention that spotlighted Michael by clicking on the PLay button in the Video Box below.
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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