Program Prepares Young Farmers for Success in the 21st Century

The National FFA Organization has selected 50 outstanding young people to participate in the 2011 New Century Farmer program. This exclusive, highly competitive program develops young men and women committed to pursuing a career in production agriculture. The New Century Farmer program is sponsored by Pioneer Hi-Bred, a DuPont business; Rabo AgriFinance; Case IH; and CSX Corporation; with media partner Successful Farming as a special project of the National FFA Foundation. Participants representing 23 states will take part in an intensive seminar July 24-30 in Johnston, Iowa. They will learn from each other and industry experts during a series of workshops and sessions. Topics will include the global marketplace, farm financing, demographic trends and risk management. New Century Farmers will hear from motivating and informative keynote speakers who will educate them on the risks and rewards involved with agriculture production. In addition to classroom learning, students will experience the latest developments in agricultural technology. The program is designed to provide participants with valuable skills and knowledge applicable to their own farming operations. In addition, they will build a network of colleagues that will benefit them throughout their careers. California Ryan Clifton Katharine Rosser Florida Anthony Cannon Austin Courson Jacob Nyhuis Georgia Troy Highsmith Idaho Seth Pratt Illinois Matthew Dehlinger Matthew DeSutter Logan Frye Christopher Richards Justin Thomas Indiana Ryan Brauser Kelsey Freeman Blake Hesters Iowa Whitney Harris Tyler Moser Kansas Kelsey Harris Morgan McNeal Michael Welch Kentucky Beau Neal Alexander Richardson Maryland Alan Eck Michigan Stephanie Andersen Carl Wagner III Minnesota Jason Keck Todd Speltz Gregory Tusa Missouri Megan Anderson Gregory Cooper Kaylyn Dalbom Nancy Jackson Jarred Lewis Montana Rob Newton New York Corey Reed North Carolina John Layton Matthew Westmoreland North Dakota Aaron Steckler Ohio Jake Detwiler Kayla Finton Mike Hannewald Matthew Lutz Oregon Logan Skeen Pennsylvania Tyler Funk Lindsay Hetrick Texas Josh Snodgrass Dennis Underwood Carl Whitworth Virginia Westley Drake Wyoming Kyle Thoman 05.26.2011