During the month of April, the Radio Oklahoma Ag Network and Oklahoma Farm Report are spotlighting the 19 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 four area stars in Agriscience in 2025.
One Star Finalist featured in the coming days from each of the categories will be named the State Star Award Winner during the 99th Oklahoma State FFA Convention, which will take place on May 6th and 7th in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
This week, our coverage of the 2025 Oklahoma FFA Star Award Finalists continues with Agriscience competitor Callen Veit of the Morrison FFA chapter representing the Northwest Area.
Veit started his project in eighth grade and has continued it for five years of research at the Oklahoma State University Animal and Food Science. His five research projects focus on improving beef quality and reducing beef waste through the use of natural antioxidants.
Veit shared that his fourth study was his favorite. He said, “I developed a software application that could predict the running shelf life of beef cuts. That was by far my hardest, most time-consuming project, so I do have a little soft spot for it in my heart because it was something that has never been done before and can be implemented in real-world scenarios, so I’m really proud of that project.”
His stepping stone into FFA in the eighth grade was the agriscience fair, and his involvement increased each year. He found a passion for public speaking and also competes in farm business management, the Animal Science Quiz Bowl and is a chapter officer.
“My biggest FFA highlight was my freshman year,” he shared. “I was at National Convention and I was the youngest one there – it was mainly a bunch of seniors and juniors. There was about fifteen or twenty of us – it was a big group. I remember being the baby of the group, and they were all like taking care of me, but it was an awesome experience. Beyond that, the Washington Leadership Conference this last year was also one of my best experiences in FFA.”
He plans to major in Ag Business at Oklahoma State University with an eye toward law school, but he hopes to continue his research during his college career. “I have spent so much time on it and invested so much and have really fallen in love with this topic,” he said. “Even if I’m not conducting research, I know it will continue at Oklahoma State, and I am excited to see where it goes.”
Hear KC’s full conversation with Callen Veit by clicking on the Listen Bar above.
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For more information about the 99th Oklahoma State FFA Convention, click here.
