Casper FFA Student Named 2013 State FFA Star Farmer

Tate Chamberlain of the Casper FFA chapter was named the Wyoming FFA Association’s 2013 State Star Farmer, recognizing his outstanding agricultural accomplishments.

Chamberlain co-owns a herd of 450 cattle along, and has his own herd of registered Herefords that he began when he was 12 years old. Chamberlain’s family also raises commercial sheep and produces hay and oats. Chamberlain is a fourth generation farmer and hopes to keep increasing his role in the family business.

Chamberlain was one of five finalists competing for the award at the Wyoming State FFA Convention, held April 8-11, 2013, in Cheyenne. The award recognizes students for their outstanding agricultural skills and competencies. Nominees were chosen by a panel of agriculture education teachers and selected by the Wyoming FFA state officer team.

When students enroll in agriculture education and FFA, they select a hands-on program of work, known as a supervised agriculture experience program (SAE). These programs help solidify concepts learned in the classroom or through FFA experiences, and incorporate the student’s individual interests and goals. SAEs can include an agriscience project, placement in an agriculture company, or raising crops or livestock.

Each year at the state FFA convention, up to 20 finalists—five in each category— vie for the Wyoming FFA’s top awards: State Star Farmer, State Star in Agribusiness, State Star in Agricultural Placement and State Star in Agribusiness. These students have excelled in their supervised agricultural experience, demonstrated outstanding management skills and met other leadership and scholastic requirements.

Each finalist receives $100 from the Wyoming FFA Foundation. The state star receives $500 from the National FFA Foundation.