During the month of April, the Radio Oklahoma Ag Network and Oklahoma Farm Report are spotlighting the 17 Area Stars of Oklahoma FFA that are among the highest achievers in the organization.
The stars come from the five areas in four categories- Star in Ag Placement, Star in Agriscience, Star in Agribusiness, and Star in Agricultural Production.
This week, we spotlight the five area stars in Ag Placement in 2023.
One Star Finalist featured in the coming days from each of the categories will be named the State Star Award Winner during the 97th Oklahoma State FFA Convention coming up on May 2nd and 3rd in Tulsa, Okla.
This week, our coverage of the 2023 Oklahoma FFA Star Award Finalists continues with Ag Placement competitor Gage Slagell of the Hydro-Eakly FFA chapter representing the Southwest Area.
“I work for Triple S Farms in Hydro, Oklahoma, and Triple S Farms is a very diverse SAE program,” Slagell said. “We produce crops like watermelons, sweet potatoes, potatoes, wheat, soybeans, and peanuts. With those crops, some of those crops will be used as organic crops.”
Slagell is grateful for the help he has received with his project, especially from his dad and grandpa.
“They are always constantly pushing me to do better,” Slagell said.
Slagell also participates in livestock judging, trap shooting, and FFA proficiencies.
“These past two or three years, I have been a national finalist for proficiencies, and through that, I have been able to go to (FFA) national convention and just experience that great moment,” Slagell said. “At national convention in 2021, I was named a national champion of diversified crop production. I would say that has been my favorite moment.”
After high school graduation, Slagell plans to attend Connors State College and shoot trap for two years. After his time at Connors State, Slagell plans to attend Oklahoma State University to continue his education. Our coverage of the 2023 Oklahoma FFA Convention is sponsored by Hilliary Communications- who deliver the latest cutting-edge communications services supporting tens of thousands of customers across 22 counties throughout Oklahoma, Texas and Iowa. The company offers internet, voice and HilliaryTV. Hilliary Communications continuously researches