By TIM ALEXANDER Illinois Correspondent EMINGTON, Ill. —An Illinois FFA member’s supervised agricultural experience (SAE) pertaining to soil nutrient research has earned her an American Star in Agriscience nomination at the upcoming FFA Convention in Indianapolis. Kacie Haag, 21, has been applying what she calls “routine work” focusing on soil nitrogen levels to her family’s swine operation since her teen years. Haag, a Tri-Point FFA Chapter member who is now a senior at the University of Illinois, has been tracking soil nitrogen movement and nutrient levels since 2013, after a field day sparked her interest in the topic. In addition to research she has done on her own family’s farm, Haag has performed soil and water quality testing on other Illinois farms and presented her research at conferences, helping her to earn the prestigious nomination. She is currently studying agricultural leadership education and communications at the U of I, with a minor in crop sciences. Haag’s choice for her SAE offered her an opportunity to combine her past and current FFA, classroom and agricultural experience in an entrepreneurial career setting. “I am doing experiments in finding and collecting data under the agriscience category,” she explained. “Right now I am working a 20-acre research plot testing the ‘four Rs’ of nitrogen application, which are right source, right rate, right time, and right place. In the future I hope to expand the acreage on my plot and test how soil pH affects how plants are able to take up nutrients.” The results of Haag’s research helps determine the type and amount of nutrients her family purchases for use on their farm each year. She has also shared her results in presentations for Vermilion River watershed authorities and conservation groups. “I like to share the good news of what I find in my research and the importance of conservation practices on our farm,” she said. Formed in 1969, the Tri-Point FFA Chapter, with more than 30 members, draws from a student body of around 100 students hailing from a half-dozen rural towns in Ford and Livingston counties. One day, Haag aspires to lead a similar group of students seeking entry into agriculture-based careers. In order to round out her own agricultural education, however, she has recently applied for Illinois Farm Bureau management training. “Eventually I will be placed somewhere in the state to manage a county farm bureau. I’ve also considered going into extension, where I can work in ag literacy and 4-H. As a college senior I probably should have figured out by now exactly what I want to do, but I can’t say as I have at this point,” Haag said with a laugh. According to the FFA website, the American Star Awards recognize FFA members who have developed outstanding agricultural skills and competencies through the completion of a supervised SAE. Members can own, operate or intern at an agricultural business, or conduct an agriculture-based scientific experiment and report the results. Other award requirements include demonstrating top management skills, completing key agricultural education, scholastic and leadership requirements, and earning an American FFA Degree, the organization’s top recognition for student accomplishment. Haag is one of four finalists for 2019 American Star in Agriscience, representing the best of the best among thousands of FFA Degree recipients. She will join fellow nominees Courtney Cameron of Valdosta, Georgia, Amelia Hayden of Sharon, Wisconsin and Olivia Pflaumer of Chillicothe, Ohio in Indianapolis for the 2019 FFA Convention Oct. –Nov. 2 when judges will name the winner of the award. Caption Kacie Haag, 21 of Emington, Ill., is one of four finalists for the FFA American Star in Agriscience award. (Photo courtesy FFA) |
