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 four area stars in Agribusiness 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 Agribusiness competitor Steven Sanders of the Guthrie FFA chapter representing the Northwest Area.
Sanders said his project began his freshman year of high school when the Oklahoma Youth Expo’s guilt sale was moved to an online format, and the sale allowed exhibitors to scratch guilts from the sale.
“That is what started my business, is I actually scratched one of them from the sale and started breeding sows,” Sanders said.
Sanders not only has his breeding sows, but he also has boars which he collects semen from. Sander’s operation branches off from his family’s larger operation, he added.
Following high school graduation, Sanders said that when he goes to college, his parents will help out with his part of the operation, while he plans to come home on the weekends and during school breaks to do his part.
“I am going to Redlands Community College next year to be a part of the livestock judging team, while also majoring in general ag,” Sanders said. “After two years there, I am hoping to transfer to Stillwater or maybe another senior college.”
Sanders said one of his favorite moments in his FFA career was receiving the Grand Champion barrow at OYE.
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 the marketplace for innovations and strives to improve underserved areas, offering services that exceed customer expectations. Click here to learn more about Hilliary Communications.
