Age and school: 17, senior at Bellefonte Area High School
Family: Parents, Terry and Michelle Stem; brother, Isaac, 8
Years involved with FFA: Two
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Jacob Stem
Amount of time spent on FFA: I feed and care for beef cattle and pigs twice a day every day. I am raising two show pigs to take to the Grange Fair in August. I help run the small family farm by plowing the fields, planting crops, mowing and baling hay and cleaning the barn and pig pen.
FFA projects: I work with market swine, although this is through
4-Hm so I can help my brother with his first-year project.
Favorite FFA memory: When I participated in the career development events this year, doing tractor driving and working on small gas engines.
FFA accomplishments: I received second place in tractor driving in the fall 2009 competition. My partner and I placed third in small gas engines during the spring 2010 competition. I also participated in the 2010 state competition at Penn State University in June. I was my chapter's FFA chaplain during the 2009-10 school year at Bellefonte.
How has FFA prepared you for your future aspirations: I would like to get a job in the farming department at Penn State. My home experience and the FFA program at school have taught me a lot about equipment safety and the farming practices needed to be successful in today's environment. If I were able to work at Penn State, I would be able to build on these skills, plus learn many new skills, which would promote my career in farming. My ultimate goal is to support myself by managing my own large farming operation.
Quote: FFA is very important to me because I believe farming is the heart of our country. It's a great club for everyone. Whether you live on a farm or in the city, anyone is welcome.
