Agricultural News
2012 Oklahoma FFA Star Farmer- Dyson Runyan of the Madill FFA
Wed, 02 May 2012 16:36:43 CDT
By combining passion and drive, Madill FFA member Dyson Runyan has created a successful, competitive supervised agricultural experience raising show pigs. Runyan's entrepreneurial spirit and devotion to show pigs and agriculture led to his selection for one of Oklahoma FFA's highest honors: the 2012 State Star in Agricultural Production. His supervised agricultural experience project was rated the best agricultural production program among the 727 FFA members who received the State FFA Degree during the 86th State FFA Convention on May 2.
Runyan's passion for show pigs began when he was 9 years old and attended his first pig show with his father. Since attending the "Two Paws" show, he explored the opportunities available in the show pig industry. Through his SAE program, Runyan has worked to expand his swine operation. He started by converting a horse barn to function as a swine facility and has grown to two insulated farrowing houses containing four crates each. In addition to the farrowing houses, Runyan has an insulated, heated and cooled show barn containing 10 individual stalls and six covered runs. The expansion of facilities has opened up the added opportunity to breed select show gilts and create a sow herd that is desired by youth exhibitors across Oklahoma, Texas, Indiana and Ohio.
"I have been fortunate to use my FFA and SAE experiences to reach goals that I would have thought were unattainable," Runyan said. "I have a strong desire to be able to motivate and influence others to get the most from their FFA experience and hope to do my part in encouraging future, active members." Throughout his FFA career, Runyan has researched the benefits of expansion and selective breeding to create an organized and successful swine operation. When not working on his SAE, Runyan also has found success outside of FFA. He has maintained a 3.76 grade point average, received a multitude of scholarships, and actively participates in the Fellowship of Student Athletes, student council and the National Honor Society.
The 18-year-old Madill FFA member is the son of Max and Tresa Runyan. His agricultural education instructors and FFA advisers are Bart and Michelle Harper and Allen Serner. After graduation, Runyan plans to attend Oklahoma State University and work toward a Bachelor of Science degree in agricultural business.
With the State Star honor, Runyan received the Governor's Trophy as well as a $2,000 cash award sponsored by Davis Farms of Guthrie, Farm Credit of East Central Oklahoma and Sirloin Club of Oklahoma.
Click on the play arrow in the VIDEO BOX below to see the video that saluted Dyson's farm enterprise after his name was called on state at the 86th Annual Convention of the Oklahoma FFA.
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