CONGRATULATIONS JACOB DIERKING!
The Missouri FFA Association named Jacob Daniel Dierking of the Santa Fe FFA Chapter State Star Farmer. His parents are Joel and Marla Dierking of Blackburn. His advisor is Martha Schreiman.
Area Star Farmers are chosen based upon outstanding production agriculture in the student’s supervised agricultural experience program and active participation in FFA. Area 6 includes 20 chapters in the Central District.
MFA Inc., Columbia, sponsors the State Star Farmer Award.
Dierking's SAE began in 2015 when he rented a 10-acre field from a neighbor to grow field corn. In 2019, his row-crop operation expanded to 306 acres of corn and soybeans. In addition, he does custom field work, is employed laying drainage tile, and grows sweet corn, green beans, and Indian corn. Throughout Dierking’s SAE, to increase productivity, he purchased three tractors, and numerous farm implements.
Dierking served as chapter president, treasurer and assistant sentinel. On the state level, he competed in farm management and agricultural mechanics career development events, where he earned a Group I individual rating in both. Dierking was a national finalist in the grain production entrepreneurship proficiency award. He also received the second-place state vegetable production proficiency award. Dierking was named Chapter Star Farmer. He attended the Washington Leadership Conference, American Royal Youth Leadership Day at the Western Farm Show and Greenhand Motivational Conference.
In addition to FFA, Dierking’s college activities include being a member of the Phi Theta Kappa Honors Society and Professional Agriculture Student Organization. Outside of school, he is the vice president of Walkenezer 4-H Club and an usher at Zion Lutheran Church.
Dierking currently attends State Fair Community College, Sedalia. Dierking said he plans to expand his row-crop operation by obtaining more land to rent and performing additional custom field work. He has already made progress by renting an additional 230 acres.
The Missouri FFA has 25,945 members representing 348 chapters. The national organization has more than 700,000 members representing 8,612 chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
The FFA makes a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education.