The Missouri FFA Association announced Cole Emerson Oelrichs, of the Higginsville FFA Chapter, as one of four finalists for the State Star in Placement. The other finalists are Tate Snyder, Green City FFA Chapter; Garrett Paul Schuering, Centralia FFA Chapter; and Clint Thomas Bailey, Bowling Green FFA Chapter.
A news release says finalists for State Stars in Placement were selected based upon outstanding achievement in work experience in an agricultural business as part of a student’s supervised agricultural experience program and active participation in FFA. The winner of the State Star in Placement will be revealed at a summer event.
Oelrichs’ supervised agricultural experience program started at Cretzmeyer Farms, his uncle’s diversified crop and livestock operation. His responsibilities include feeding and vaccinating cattle, baling hay, and maintaining the farmstead. Oelrichs said he is trusted to make daily farm-management decisions. Oelrichs is the son of William and Paula Oelrichs of Higginsville. His advisors are Adam Brock, Savannah Taylor and Stephanie Carpenter.
Oelrichs also was named as the Area 6 Star in Placement.
Stars in Placement are selected based upon outstanding achievement in work experience in an agricultural business as a part of a student’s supervised agricultural experience program and active participation in FFA. Area 6 includes 20 chapters in the Central District.
Oelrichs’ SAE program started at Cretzmeyer Farms, his uncle’s diversified crop and livestock operation. His responsibilities include feeding and vaccinating cattle, baling hay, and maintaining the farmstead. Oelrichs said he is trusted to make daily farm-management decisions.
Oelrichs served as chapter sentinel and chapter parliamentarian. He received a Group I rating in the state level soils career development event and his team qualified for the national contest. He was second at state for the beef production placement proficiency award. He attended the Lead, Educate, Advance, Develop Conference for Chapter Officers; National FFA Convention & Expo; and Greenhand Motivational Conference.
In addition to FFA, in high school Oelrichs was on the baseball team. He also was active in the science club, Skills USA, National Honor Society and National Technical Honors Society. He attended Lex-La-Ray Technical Center where he participated in the building-trades program.
Oelrichs attends Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville. He is working toward a certificate in farm operations. Oelrichs said his goal is to return to his uncle’s farm and eventually manage the operation.