Kentucky Department of Agriculture

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, August 9, 2010
For more information contact:
Bill Clary
(502) 564-1137

Two Kentucky FFA members among American Star finalists

FRANKFORT, Ky. — For the second year in a row, two of the 16 finalists for the National FFA Stars Over America awards are Kentuckians.

“I want to congratulate James Lyons and Jared Hodskins on this outstanding achievement,” Agriculture Commissioner Richie Farmer said. “I know both of these young men will represent Kentucky agriculture well at the National FFA Convention. I encourage all Kentuckians to join me in wishing them well.”

Lyons, a member of Scott County FFA, is one of four finalists nationwide for the American Star Farmer award, FFA’s highest honor, which will be announced at the 83rd National Convention Oct. 20-23 in Indianapolis.

Hodskins, a member of Apollo FFA in Owensboro, is among the four finalists for the Star in Agribusiness award, FFA’s highest achievement for a person pursuing a career in agribusiness.

Lyons, 21, son of Alvin and Debbie Lyons of Stamping Ground, is scheduled to graduate from the University of Kentucky in December with a bachelor’s degree in agriculture economics and a minor in animal science. After graduation, he plans to continue farming.

"I was pretty shocked to make it to the top four in the nation,” Lyons said. “That's quite an honor.”

The winner will be determined after the finalists are interviewed. “I've been told, from this point, it's all about the interview,” Lyons said. “I feel I have a pretty good shot, since there's only four of us left, but it's down to the tough competition now."

A camera crew will visit Lyons’ operation and shoot a video that will be shown during the national convention. Lyons’ farms, located in Scott County, consist of a total of 440 acres, 270 of which are rented. He raises 71 feeder cattle and 14 beef cows, and he has half interest with his father in 60 head of replacement heifers they are breeding to sell next spring. Lyons tends 68 acres of corn, 35 acres of alfalfa, 20 acres of soybeans and 8 acres of tobacco. He sells 5,000 square bales of hay every year.

Hodskins, 22, son of Kenny and Vickie Hodskins of Owensboro, manages Hodskins Lawncare, a lawn mowing and landscaping business with five part-time employees. His business grew from caring for 11 yards in 2004 to maintaining 78 lawns last year.

Hodskins and Lyons each will receive $2,000 and a plaque that go to each of the four finalists, but both are competing for an additional $2,000 and a medal that are awarded to the winner in each category. Nicholas Hardesty of Meade County became the first Kentuckian to earn the American Star Farmer award in 2007.

The National FFA Organization also selected four Star finalists in agricultural placement and agriscience. Only one state, South Dakota, has more finalists (three) than Kentucky. Nebraska and Wisconsin have two finalists each.

Kentucky has more than 15,000 FFA members in 150 chapters statewide, according to the most recent figures on the Kentucky FFA Web site. National FFA has more than half a million members in nearly 7,500 chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.

 

Top: James Lyons

Bottom: Jared Hodskins