Mon, 26 Sep 2022 07:52:15 CDT
The 2022 Oklahoma FFA Star in Agricultural Production is Larahmy Blakley, a member of the Oologah FFA. He is also the Northeast area Star in Agricultural Production.
Blakley was named the statewide Star in Agriscience during the Wednesday afternoon General Session of the 96th Annual Convention of the Oklahoma FFA in Tulsa.
Blakley and the other State Stars over Oklahoma will each receive $23,673 in scholarships or capital grant funds through a $3.2 million gift from the Carl C. Anderson Sr. and Marie Jo Anderson Charitable Foundation. 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.
After his name was called out- a video produced by Radio Oklahoma Ag Network Senior Farm and Ranch Broadcaster Ron Hays and JD Rosman with the Oklahoma Youth Expo. Watch that salute by clicking on the play button in the video box below.
Blakley’s project involved his farming operation in Northeast Oklahoma.
“I run 175 head of purebred cattle I also run 6 sows,” Blakley said. “I have a custom cattle feeding operation that consists of about 40 head of mama cows and I also run winter stockers on wheat.”
Blakley also has a vegetable production SAE, which consists of growing tomatoes, cucumbers, okra, onions, and squash, he said.
“I sell retail cuts of beef and pork, vegetables, and eggs at local farmers’ markets and my surrounding area,” Blakley said.
Born into an agricultural-based program, Blakley said he has been involved in agriculture since the day he was born.
“Both my older sisters were heavily involved in the blue jacket,” Blakley said. “I wanted to carry on a family tradition, and I didn’t really have a set way of what I wanted to do, but I knew it was something involved in agriculture.”
Blakley said he has a strong passion for feeding cattle and working cattle on a year-round basis. He enjoys raising cattle and knowing he plays a part in something bigger than himself that contributes to feeding so many people, he said.
“Some of my favorite moments in my FFA career have been watching my SAE projects turn into something bigger,” Blakley said. “I have grown to know my programs, and I am excited to get to share my programs with other people.”
Next year, Blakley plans to attend Northeastern Oklahoma A&M where he will be on the livestock judging team and obtain a degree in animal science.
“From there, I will transfer to Oklahoma State University, where I will continue my degree in animal science,” Blakley said. “Then I want to obtain a master’s in animal nutrition to become an animal nutritionist and come home and take over the family farm and operation.”
Click here for all the information available about the 2022 State FFA Convention as found on the Oklahoma FFA website.
Our coverage of the 2022 Oklahoma FFA Convention is sponsored by Hilliary Communications, serving more than 19,000 customers with telephone service in 22 counties throughout Oklahoma & Texas. The company also offers IP television service and internet speeds up to 1 Gig. Hilliary Communications continuously researches the marketplace for innovations and strives to improve underdeveloped areas, offering services that exceed customer expectations. Click here to learn more about Hilliary Communications.
Our stories from the 2022 Oklahoma FFA Convention will be located on our website within our Blue Green Gazette pages- and stories from this year and last can be seen by clicking here.
Click the LISTEN BAR below to hear KC’s full interview with Larahmy Blakley.
Click here to listen to audio
