Two members of the Trenton FFA Chapter have been recognized with Area 2 Star Awards during the Missouri FFA Convention in Columbia.
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Trent Steinhoff has been recognized as the Area 2 Star Farmer while Derek L. Lowrey was named the Area 2 Star in Placement.
Steinhoff is the son of Clifford and Andrea Steinhoff of Trenton. His advisors are Steven Rogers and Dennis Gutshall.
Area Star Farmers are chosen based on outstanding production agriculture for the student’s Supervised Agriculture Experi-ence program and active participation in FFA. Area 2 covers 25 chapters in the Northwest District
MFA Inc., Columbia, sponsored the 16 Area Star Farmer awards.
Steinhoff’s SAE program began with the purchase of bred cows and calving them as a spring herd. He also worked for his father and grandfather on their diversified crop farm. Steinhoff began cash-renting hay and crop ground and has expanded his operation to include 20 crossbred cows, 26 acres of soybeans, 32 acres of corn and 125 acres of alfalfa and grass hay. In addition to his own farming operation, Steinhoff does custom hay work and has worked as a farm hand for several area farmers. Steinhoff was the Area 2 Forage Production Proficiency Award winner in 2006.
Steinhoff’s FFA activities included serving as the chapter vice president, sentinel, junior president and junior chaplain. He competed State FFA Agronomy, Ag mechanics, Poultry and Dairy Cattle Career Development events. He earned a Group I Individual rating in agronomy, poultry and dairy cattle. In 2006, he was the 2nd High Individual for Dairy Cattle and his team placed third at state. Steinhoff has competed for numerous proficiency awards at the local and area level. He participated in the Washington Leadership Conference, attended the National FFA Convention and earned the State FFA Camp Leadership Medal. He exhibited crops and mechanics projects at the Missouri State Fair.
Steinhoff’s lifelong dream is to be a successful farmer. He plans to expand his operation and become a full partner in his family’s farm. He attends Grand River Technical School in Chillicothe, studying ag diesel services technology.
Lowrey’s parents are David and Melissa Lowery of Laredo. His advisors are Dennis Gutshall, David Nowland and Steven Rogers.
Area Stars in Placement are selected based on outstanding achievement in work experience in an agriculture business as part of a student’s Supervised Agricultural Experience Program and active participation in FFA.
MFA Inc., Columbia, sponsored the 16 Area Star Placement awards.
Lowery has a diverse SAE, which includes placement on the Foster-Mack Dairy Farm, an operation that milks 45 to 60 Holstein cows. Lowery’s responsibilities included feeding cattle and fixing fences along with other maintenance work. Eventually he began to milk the herd, to care for the calves, and to harvest hay, crops, and silage. He also maintained all facilities and cleaned the equipment, handled waste disposal, and managed the herd’s health. Outside the dairy, Lowery operated a custom combining and farming business, ran stocker heifers, operated a furrow-to-finish hog operation, and raised corn, soybeans and hay.
He also has served as the Trenton FFA Chapter president, treasurer, junior vice-president and junior parliamentarian. He has competed at the state level in agronomy, agricultural mechanics, poultry, and livestock evaluation Career Development events. Lowery attended the Washington Leadership Conference, national FFA convention and has earned the State FFA Camp Leadership Medal.
Lowery is a member of the National Honor Society, Future Teachers of America and served as an A-Plus Cadet Teacher.
He attends North Central Missouri College, where he is majoring in agriculture. Lowery said his lifelong dream was “to be a successful farmer.” He continues to work for Foster-Mack Dairy Farm as well as expand his own farm operation.
Several area FFA members will also be receiving their State FFA Degree during ceremonies today. They include:
Trenton – Trent Steinhoff, Derek Lowrey and Kendra Foster.
Princeton – Holly Wilson, Wes Reger, Tanner Pickett, Erin Moore, Marcie Moore, Kelsey Holt and Ellen Dennis.
Newtown-Harris – Katie Mino and Aaron Brown.
Jamesport – Lance Huston and Geoff Eads.
Gilman City – Randee Prindle, Kyla Payne and Abbie Herrold.