Listen to KC Sheperd talk with Hanna Schmidt ahead of the State FFA Convention in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
During the month of April, the Radio Oklahoma Ag Network and Oklahoma Farm Report are spotlighting the 18 Area Stars of Oklahoma FFA, who 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 Agriscience in 2024.
One Star Finalist featured in the coming days from each of the categories will be named the State Star Award Winner during the 98th Oklahoma State FFA Convention, which will take place on May 7th and 8th in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
This week, our coverage of the 2024 Oklahoma FFA Star Award Finalists concludes with Agriscience competitor Hanna Schmidt of the Mulhall-Orlando FFA chapter representing the Northwest Area.
Throughout her FFA career, Schmidt said she has had five different agriscience projects. Schmidt has researched and studied eastern red cedar trees, the FFA New Horizons Magazine, the importance of corn to agriculture, and more.
“For my final project, I did a project over ultraviolet radiation light and how pretreating each seed of corn effects the germination rate, the coleoptile and radical length,” Schmidt said.
Out of all of her projects, Schmidt said her favorite project is the one she conducted over the course of her Sophomore year of high school in which she studied how microtoxins impact the agriculture industry, specifically in corn.
“My biggest takeaway is that there is always something new to learn about and discover,” Schmidt said.
Schmidt said she enjoyed the chance to problem solve and improve on various skills throughout her projects.
“No project goes smoothly,” Schmidt said. “You are going to always find bumps and variables that you are not certain about how to treat. So, you do more research and consult those around you, and I found true value in that.”
After graduating high school, Schmidt said she plans to attend North Oklahoma College for two years, then transfer to Oklahoam State University to obtain a degree in Food Science.
Your coverage of the 2024 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.
For more information about the 98th Oklahoma State FFA Convention, click here.
