Missouri FFA News Releases

PIERCE FROM THE MCDONALD COUNTY FFA CHAPTER RECOGNIZED AS AREA 11 STAR FARMER

COLUMBIA , Mo. , April 16, 2009 - The Missouri FFA Association recognized Jacob Pierce of McDonald County FFA Chapter as Area 11 Star Farmer at the 81stMissouri FFA Convention. He is the son of Dewey and Kitty Pierce of Anderson, Mo. His advisors are Rob Hall, Will Gordon and Brian Nelson.

Area Star Farmers are chosen based upon outstanding production agriculture for the student’s Supervised Agriculture Experience Program and active participation in FFA. Area 11 covers 16 chapters in the Southwest District.

MFA Inc., Columbia, sponsors the 16 Area Star Farmer awards.

Pierce's SAE program began when he acquired and began showing dairy cattle at the county fair. During his senior year, he decided to expand his operation by purchasing a show pig to exhibit at the county, area, district and state fairs. He also decided to do custom baling for local cattle producers.

Pierce has served as chapter president and Area 11 chaplin. He has competed at the district level on a dairy cattle judging team. He also has received Group 1 ratings at the state level in agriculture mechanics and poultry career development events. Pierce received the Area 11 FFA Diversified Agriculture Production Proficiency Award.

Pierce has been a member of the National Honor Society and is involved in the

A+ program at his school.

After graduation, Pierce plans to study agricultural systems management and then return to the family farm.

The Missouri FFA has 24,410 members representing 317 chapters. The national organization has more than 507,000 members representing 7,439 local chapters in 50 states, Puerto Rico, Guam and the Virgin Islands.

The FFA Mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education.

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