During the month of April, the Radio Oklahoma Ag Network and Oklahoma Farm Report are spotlighting the 17 Area Stars of Oklahoma FFA, who are among the highest achievers in the organization.
The stars come from the four areas in four categories – Star in Ag Placement, Star in Agriscience, Star in Agribusiness, and Star in Agricultural Production.
This week, we spotlight the three area stars in Agricultural Placement in 2026.
One Star Finalist featured in the coming days from each of the categories will be named the State Star Award Winner during the 100th Oklahoma State FFA Convention, which will take place on May 5th and 6th in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
We continue our coverage of the 2026 Oklahoma FFA Star Award Finalists today with McKenzie Boyer of the Purcell FFA representing the northeast area.
FFA students across Oklahoma are building real-world skills through hands-on projects, and for some, those experiences are rooted right at home on the family farm.
FFA members across Oklahoma continue finding creative ways to turn their agricultural backgrounds into real-world business experience, and McKenzie Boyer of the Claremore FFA chapter is doing exactly that through a custom-fed beef enterprise built around her family’s cattle operation.
Turning Family Resources into a Beef Business
Boyer says she comes from a sixth-generation farming and ranching family in northeast Oklahoma. Growing up around cattle inspired her to create a project that used the livestock and knowledge already available to her.
“I have developed my own custom fed beef operation where I use the purebred Hereford steers from my herd, put them into my feeding operation, and then sell them retail or sell them to customers,” Boyer said. Her business focuses on taking Hereford steers from the family herd, feeding them out, and marketing beef directly to local consumers.
Managing Cattle and Educating Consumers
Boyer says she currently manages around 20 Hereford steers during the season. Her regular responsibilities include making sure cattle have continuous access to feed, water, hay, and mineral, along with refilling feeders each weekend. “I refill their feeders every weekend to make sure they have fresh feed,” she said.
She says one of the most rewarding parts of the project has been helping consumers better understand the food supply and offering a local source of beef. “Food is a really big part of agriculture, and it’s really important for people to learn where their food has come from,” Boyer said. “Being able to be one of those local connections… that’s really what I have taken away from it.”
Big Goals Ahead
Boyer credits her parents for helping her balance school, FFA, and cattle responsibilities, calling the operation a true family effort. “It is really just a family unit and learning how to operate with them,” she said.
After high school, Boyer plans to attend Oklahoma State University to double major in agricultural communications and animal science, then pursue a law degree focused on agricultural law at the University of Arkansas. She says she also hopes to continue the beef business and stay involved in the family farm for years to come.
This year’s 17 Area Stars will each be recognized on stage in the fifth general session of the 100th Oklahoma FFA Convention May 6th in Tulsa and each will receive a plaque and $500 cash award co-sponsored by the Blue and Gold Sausage Co., Sirloin Club of Oklahoma, Masonic Charity Foundation, McDonald’s of Oklahoma, Davis Farms, The Chickasaw Nation, Oklahoma Farm Bureau and the Noble Research Institute.
The Star in each category will each receive $29,484 in scholarships or capital grant funds through a $3.2 million gift from the Carl C. Anderson Trust. The late Carl C. Anderson, after whom the State Star awards are now named, was born in Naples, Oklahoma, in 1911. One of 10 children, he dropped out of high school to earn money and support his family. From those modest beginnings, the Anderson Corp. grew across the country as well as in Canada and South America.
Our coverage of the 2026 Oklahoma FFA Association State Convention is sponsored by Oklahoma Farm Bureau, proud to support the young men and ladies of the Oklahoma FFA as they strive for excellence in all they do. Oklahoma Farm Bureau- We Are Rural Oklahoma.
Learn more about the 100th Annual Convention of the Oklahoma FFA by clicking here for the convention highlights.
