Agriculture Research and Education
Steven Birkenfeld, Castro CFB
"Harvests currently take many hours and I am determined to find a procedure to speed up the process. As a result, I want to work to refine machinery to make the production process simpler and quicker."
Jake Pieniazek, Bexar CFB
"After establishing myself as a businessman in the field, I would like to combine my passion of politics with my passion for agriculture and be elected the Texas Commissioner of Agriculture and oversee all aspects of Texas agriculture."
Dick Mitchell Memorial Foundation
Jacob Williams, Wise CFB
"My father has been my teacher in acquiring skills for making a ranch successful and for teaching me that hard work is what it takes to do a job correctly. I believe my early years of life gave me a foundation of what I wanted to pursue in life."
FCCLA
Spencer Murray, Grayson CFB
Young Farmer & Rancher
Matthew Mellema, Dallam CFB
"I have always been involved in the cattle industry. Through cattle feeding competitions, I learned substantial amounts of information regarding this industry. I have pictured myself working with cattle and starting my own operation after college."
Steven Birkenfeld, Castro CFB
"Having grown up in a farming community, agriculture has played a major role in my life. As a small boy, I worked with my dad on his farm, and I currently work at a local dairy. I have always loved being around machinery, animals, and the outdoors."
Cole Hemmi, Archer CFB
"I have chosen a degree in agriculture so that I may be able to help my father to not only preserve our family farm but also to help it grow and be successful. I will attend Tarleton State University and pursue a degree in Animal Science."
Brandy Dangelmayr, Cooke CFB
"I grew up around agriculture and enjoy learning about the many aspects of agriculture. I have chosen Agribusiness as my major because I believe that I will have many opportunities as well as many career options."
Sara Limbock, Red River CFB
"I have had exposure to the business world through my father's work and I enjoy the versatility that each day can offer. I have also enjoyed the agriculture classes I took in high school and have been involved competitively with show animals."
Cheyenne Guelker, Mitchell CFB
"I enjoy working with animals and hope to have a clinic that specializes in Equine Surgery and Cattle. I hope to acquire an education on treating and relieving issues and illnesses of these species."
Eric Schwertner, Runnels CFB
"My character was built at the end of a hoe handle and moving miles of irrigation pipe on early summer mornings. Through my family's operation, I have experienced the challenge of farmers. I soon learned my life was headed to the lines of agriculture and the cotton industry."
Cody Sultenfuss, Bell CFB
"I want to be able to help farmers and ranchers in their financial positions. Being the son of a rancher, I know first-hand how hard it can be to manage one's expenses. I want to help people meet their financial goals and keep from adding another task to their ever so busy schedules."
Austin Parker, Angelina CFB
"I was raised on a working rural farm and would like to pursue a career in agriculture. My brother and I began mechanical and hand planting pine tree seedlings on over 100 acres. We have also been hired by other individuals to plant their fields."
Kyle Wimberley, Gillespie CFB
"I feel blessed to have been raised on a ranch and have enjoyed an agricultural lifestyle which teaches strong faith, good work ethics, and integrity. I believe this upbringing has molded me into the person I am today and led me to choose a career in veterinary medicine."
Lane Brandt, Wharton CFB
"Since I can remember, I have been going to the fields with my dad. All I want to do is farm but I know that I need a good education to be able to handle the challenges farmers are facing."
Erin Hessler, Victoria CFB
"I've always had a great passion for helping people. Through anatomy and pharmacology classes, I knew I had found my calling in the field of medicine. As a pharmacist, I will be able to fulfill my passion while doing something that really interests me."
Thomas Haynes, Nueces CFB
"My goals are to graduate with a degree in Agribusiness and become an agricultural consultant. In this field, I will be able to examine business operations to find ways to improve efficiency and profits for farmers, ranchers and other agricultural businesses."
Young Farmer & Rancher for Enrolled Student
Kortney Kupatt, Haskell CFB
"Being raised on a farm, growing cotton and grain, raising cattle and livestock, I have grown to love this way of life. I cannot think of anything I would rather do than to be a part of guiding young people in the many areas of agriculture."
Julie Vrazel, Milam CFB
"With a career in agricultural journalism and communication, I will be able to write, edit and advertise for a variety of agricultural publications. This career will allow me to combine my writing and advertising talent with my passion for agriculture."
Kourtney Koepp, Comal CFB
"I want to be able to educate and promote agriculture to children by showing how important agriculture is to their everyday life. My college education will provide me with resources and tools to use in providing information to others."