George Named Star Farmer
Published: Friday, April 30, 2021
Trent George of the Niles FFA chapter culminated his high school FFA career by being named Michigan Star State Farmer during the association's virtual state convention last week. Earlier in the week, he earned the state's Sheep Production Proficiency Award, won the state FFA Job Interview contest, and was recognized for academic excellence.
A senior at Niles High School, he is the son of Carrie and Tim George. Carrie also serves as one of his FFA advisors along with Cheryl Rogers.
George's Supervised Ag Experience (SAE) projects include 65 head of registered Southdown sheep that he operates with his family and brother, Drew. He personally rents 20 acres of hay ground, harvesting and selling square bales locally. Trent and Drew own some of the flock individually, and partner both together and with their parents on some individuals.
The family always had sheep and cattle at the home farm however it was the team of brothers that developed the Southdown flock, initially choosing the breed for its docile nature. With encouragement from parents and mentorship from Forsee Southdowns in Kentucky, the flock has quickly developed a successful presence in the showring at a national level, a fact that gives Trent particular satisfaction.
The genetic program strives for showring results and Trent encouraged the early use of artificial insemination, helping the flock grow and improve quickly while making better use of rams. They have begun collecting and marketing semen from homebred rams and include online lamb sales in their marketing plan.
Lambs are born in a separate barn where ewes are moved to a heated room for lambing.
"We split groups down into manageable numbers since we are still in school and not around all the time," Trent said. "The heated lambing room helps us get lambs going and we can wean more lambs. It's a combination of all the things we've done that have helped us to advance quickly."
The hay operation developed after realizing there was a local demand for quality square bales which are easier to handle for the small-scale producer and youth with livestock projects and little or no equipment to handle large bales. Utilizing some equipment already owned by the family and some additional purchases, George set out to provide a product that fills the need.
His love for antique iron, and antique tractor pulls and shows has spilled over into his hay operation where he enjoys putting his hobby to work.
"I like to kind of go old school with it sometimes; it keeps it interesting," he said. "I like getting out in the field and showing people you can still use old power to do the job."
His favorite tractor for the job is a 55-hp Oliver 770 which easily handles mowers, rakes and balers.
"Trent is a special young man who possesses a unique combination of qualities that make him an outstanding leader," said Rogers. "He has a positive attitude, is dependable, humble, committed and has an unmatched work ethic. It has been a privilege to be Trent's advisor."
As both mother and co-advisor, Carrie George has watched and supported Trent from a unique perspective.
"He has really high standards for himself and once he decides what he wants to go after, he is all in," she said. "I feel so fortunate to be one of Trent's FFA advisors and am also so proud to be his mom."
Trent is employed by Wolverine Electric and plans to continue his employment there full-time after graduation, utilizing their apprentice program to become an electrician.
Caleb Tucker, a 17-year-old member of the Hopkins FFA chapter, was named the outstanding junior for 2021. He was also the state proficiency award winner in Beef Production Placement.
Tucker works at Hawk's Nest Farm, owned by his parents, Kerry and Craig Tucker. Caleb is responsible for intake procedures when dairy bull calves arrive at the farm. He measures rate of gain through different feeding stages and manages starting calves on robotic feeders. He has been working on the farm for several years but began using the work toward his SAE when he was a freshman FFA member.
Tucker recently began a new project of forging custom knives under the Raging Bull Forge business name. He plans to continue his education in ag mechanics to become a diesel mechanic after high school.
"Caleb is a hard-working, responsible employee and has developed skills that will help him be successful," said Hopkins FFA advisor, Jessica Couch. "He has been involved in our chapter serving as an officer the past two years. His FFA involvement, along with his SAE project and skills learned have earned him this well-deserved recognition."
Michigan FFA members completed contests virtually in March, watching convention proceedings and award presentations from their classrooms in April. The Niles FFA leadership tried to make the moment as special as possible, bringing members to the Wonderland Theater in Niles to watch results on the theatre's big screen. Two family members from each contest participant were also invited. Local alumni gave members an allowance for snacks from the concession stand.
"We were able to socially distance, have family present, and enjoy the convention on the big screen. We had so much fun, and it made a special event for our FFA members. We have such a wonderful community," Rogers said.
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