Sjostrand of the Ashland FFA Chapter named State Star Farmer

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COLUMBIA, Mo., April 21, 2023 -The Missouri FFA Association recognized Ashley Sjostrand of the Ashland FFA Chapter as the State Star Farmer. Her parents are Brian and Jeanne Sjostrand. Her advisors are Rebekah Hammett and Jeff Suthoff.

The State Star Farmer is chosen based upon outstanding production agriculture in the student’s supervised agricultural experience program and active participation in FFA.

American Family Insurance sponsors the State Star Farmer Award.

Sjostrand’s supervised agricultural experience program includes swine and poultry production. Her swine operation began when she purchased two registered Duroc gilts to show at the Boone County Fair. Sjostrand’s operation grew after she bought six sows from her parents. Sjostrand’s responsibilities include feeding, watering, and cleaning farrowing stalls and nursery pens daily. Her poultry operation consists of raising and processing 254 broilers and 185 laying hens. Her responsibilities include feeding, monitoring growth weight, watering, and cleaning the facility.

As an FFA member, Sjostrand currently serves as chapter president and Area 4 Association vice president. She won the 2022 Missouri FFA Poultry Production Proficiency Award. She has competed in the FFA knowledge leadership development event and the horse evaluation, dairy cattle evaluation, and veterinary science career development events. She has attended Helping Youth Maximize Agricultural eXperiences (HYMAX) Academy, the Missouri Agribusiness Academy (MAbA), Helping Youth Prepare for Excellence (HYPE) Academy, and Washington Leadership Conference.

In addition to FFA, Sjostrand is certified with Ag Ed on the Move to teach agriculture to elementary-age students. She also serves as a team leader, teaching 10 sectors of agriculture to third grade students. Sjostrand is a member of the National Honor Society and actively volunteers with the Central Missouri Food Bank and her school’s buddy backpack program.

After high school graduation, Sjostrand plans to study animal science and agribusiness management at the University of Missouri-Columbia. She also intends to obtain a master’s degree in livestock nutrition. Sjostrand eventually plans to have a career in livestock nutrition and stay involved in her family’s swine operation.

The Missouri FFA has 26,716 members representing 356 chapters. The national organization has more than 850,000 members representing 8,995 chapters in all 50 states and Puerto Rico.

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.

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