Agricultural News
Meet Sidney Hilburn of the Quapaw FFA Chapter, Your 2019 Northeast Area Star in Agriscience
Tue, 09 Apr 2019 11:32:56 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 Agriscience 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.
Today, we continue our coverage with this year's Northeast Area Star in Agriscience, Sidney Hilburn of the Quapaw FFA Chapter. She's being recognized for research that started her 8th grade year in the area of food products and processing systems. Since then she's completed three projects. She first tested whether raw or pasteurizes goat's milk had a longer shelf life. Sidney's second project, with the help of her best friend, was done at J&M Farms who contacted the pair to test their packaging to ensure they were doing all they could to give their mushrooms the longest shelf life possible. For her third year of competition, Sidney tested different cooking methods in order to find the best methods for getting out the most fat from beef and sausage.
"My favorite was my first project, raw vs. pasteurized" said Sidney. "I really broaded my horizons with that. From milking the goat to pasteurizing one sample and learning how to swab agar plates and count colonies."
Sidney shared that her youngest niece was having problems with lactose at the time. Her niece's doctor recommended goat's milk, which gave Sidney's project an extra special meaning and purpose to her and her family.
Involvement with FFA goes far beyond her projects. She's currently serving as Quapaw FFA Chapter president, and has been on the chapter officer team for several years.
"The experience of a lifetime," describes Sidney of her FFA involvement.
One of her favorite CDEs is Agriscience Fair, but prepared public speaking, extemporaneous public speaking are also events she's passionate about.
"I would say that FFA has opened more doors for me than any other organization I've ever taken part in," she said. "The opportunities I've been given, people I've been able to meet, and skills that I've learned will carry on with me throughout all my professional endeavors."
After graduation Sidney plans to come to Oklahoma State University and major in Agricultural Business with a minor in Plant and Soil Sciences. From there she hopes to pursue an Agricultural Law Degree at the University of Arkansas.
You can hear her entire conversation with Radio Oklahoma Ag Network Farm Director Ron Hays, by clicking or tapping on the LISTEN BAR below.
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