“Supporting Leadership Opportunities and activities of the FFA and Agriculture Education”
ND FFA FOUNDATION PO BOX 6022 BISMARCK, ND 58506 www.ndffafoundation.com V O L U M E
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Introducing the Stars Over North Dakota at the 86th State Convention Star Farmer Hailey Kallenbach, Maddock A.S. Gibbens The Maddock A.S. Gibbens FFA Chapter isn’t just Hailey Kallenbach’s home chapter, it’s a family tradition. Her father and both of her grandfathers have received the American FFA Degree as members of the chapter and all of her immediate family, were members of the chapter as well. Hailey got her start in the Kallenbach Family Farm and Ranch at a young age, purchasing her first show calf as a second grader and soon thereafter a bottle calf. At 14 she rented 140 acres and took out an operating loan, planting barley and then soybeans. Hailey admits the single biggest challenge to having diversified supervised agriculture experience (SAE) in crop and livestock production is knowing when to market her product. She utilizes many resources and says, “I am in touch with my loan officer and market analyst on a regular basis. Being aware of the world economy and marketing has been a key factor in watching the trend in prices.” Hailey is the daughter of Mark and Tracy Kallenbach. She is advised by Gary Wald. She plans to attend Lake Region State College next fall and then transfer to the University of North Dakota to study speech pathology.
Star in Agrisbusiness Melaree Sondrol, Turtle Lake/Mercer No longer just the self-proclaimed “babysitter of the town (Turtle Lake)” for her work with youth in her community, Melaree Sondrol has been also running her own successful lawn care business for four years. Starting with 10 clients, last year she had 32 clients and says careful planning and a good reputation have helped her business grow. “One of the greatest feelings is when a respected member of the community compliments me on how well I run a business and do my job,” says Melaree. Always looking for ways to improve her service, she constantly improves the equipment she uses and started offering clients billing options. Though it takes a bit more time, clients appreciated the option to be invoiced, and she admits this process has strengthened her record keeping skills for both her business and her SAE. The daughter of Kevin and Lana Sondrol, Melaree will start at the University of Mary and work to obtain her optometry degree. Her advisor is Amy Lee.
Star in Ag Placement Devin Volk, Rugby INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Scholarships Sponsors
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Devin Volk of the Rugby FFA Chapter is from a diversified crop and cow/calf operation where he works side-by-side with his parents Philip and Lisa. The farm has been in his family for four generations and he aspires to manage it one day. Devin started doing small jobs around the farm and now assumes responsibilities such as teaching his younger siblings about crop and livestock production. Devin has been a 4-H member since the age of eight. He says, “4-H started my interests in many areas, and FFA has refined those skills.” Beef showmanship has always been an interest of Devin’s, and he explains that having animals teaches lessons like accountability, respect, and patience - traits he hopes to pass down to his own children. Devin’s FFA advisors are Rick Vannett and Kasey Okke.