2022 Texas FFA American Star in Placement
Cade Davis
Stephenville FFA
Stephenville FFA member Cade Davis’s position working at his father’s embryology business and bucking bull operation earned him the 2022 Texas FFA American Star in Placement.
In his supervised agricultural experience (SAE) project, Davis manages embryology services including embryo transfer, in vitro fertilization, donor and recipient management, and artificial insemination. Though the business specializes in beef, work is being done toward expansion into white tail deer breeding.
Another part of the business includes a year-round bucking bull operation where Davis helps with the care and training of on average ten to fifteen bull calves with the intent of becoming bucking stock.
Some of Davis’s other responsibilities include providing animal care, managing bovine nutrition and other odd jobs like welding, preventative maintenance, and assisting with building or maintaining facilities.
Overall, Davis’s SAE project has given him a better understanding and appreciation for the agriculture industry as well as valuable work and personal skills.
2022 Texas FFA American Star in Agriscience
Ryan Hess
Stephenville FFA
Stephenville FFA member Ryan Hess was named the 2022 Texas FFA American Star in Agriscience.
Through his supervised agricultural experience (SAE) projects, Hess researched potential changes to be made in various agricultural avenues that could help the production and cultivation of commodities in the industry.
Hess’s earliest project studied the effects different sugar additives had on cucumber plant growth. His second project explored various storage methods and the effects on vitamin C content in vegetables. He next conducted a social science project investigating the public’s perception of lab-grown meat.
For Hess’s final project, he researched how CBD affects glucose and lactate levels in equine. The purpose of his research was to determine if CBD products could offer a natural solution to reducing soreness and lowering risks of medical difficulties.
During his years of research, Hess expanded his knowledge of statistical analysis and reliable data collection methods.
2022 Texas FFA American Star in Farmer
Reed Thorn
Arp FFA
Arp FFA member Reed Thorn was named the 2022 Texas FFA American Star in Farmer.
At the age of eight, when Thorn was old enough to begin showing, his parents gifted two heifers to him. This gift sparked his interest in the cattle industry and became the foundation for his passion for agriculture.
Throughout the years, Thorn has expanded his involvement outside the showring and into the breeding side of the livestock industry. His work breeding cattle by utilizing artificial insemination has led to competitive show cattle sold through breed association consignment sales.
Thorn expanded his operation further by diversifying his livestock breeding into market lambs for the show sheep industry.
2022 Texas FFA American Star in Agribusiness
Ryan Boersma
Union Hill FFA
Union Hill FFA member Ryan Boersma was named the 2022 Texas FFA American Star in Agribusiness.
Boersma began his SAE project his sophomore of high school after wanting to solve a problem of transportation of tire drag equipment from field to field without having to fold them up. His design included metal structure that would mount to the tractor’s 3-point system.
With the assistance from his ag teacher, Robert Stanley, and the parts fabricated at his chapter’s school facilities and his personal shop, Boersma showcased his first model during his junior year. His senior year, a new design implementing a batwing drag covering almost 20 feet attracted agricultural producers interested in purchasing the drag. Boersma’s project he created is unique and is now seeking patents.
Boersma’s SAE project has grown his current business and become a result of his dream of helping farmers and ranchers.