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Area Stars in Agribusiness are 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. Area 3 includes 22 chapters in the Northeast District.

MFA Inc., Columbia, sponsors the 15 area Star in Agribusiness awards.

Newland’s SAE program started with the purchase, repair and resale of used farm equipment. Now he owns a successful used-implement dealership. Along with managing his own company, he works part time at the Kirksville Dairy Queen.

Newland has served as the chapter’s historian, 1st vice president, and sentinel. He competed in the dairy cattle, agricultural mechanics, agronomy and FFA knowledge career development events. He has attended both state and national FFA conventions.

Newland was involved in trap shooting all four years of high school. He was honored as the Kirksville FFA Chapter Star Farmer in 2010 and the Kirksville FFA Chapter Star in Agribusiness in 2011. In addition to FFA, he was in the school band and was involved in The Crossing Church. He also has received the Brett Kosminski Award.

After high school, Newland plans to attend Northwest Missouri State University to study agricultural education. Along with becoming a teacher, he plans to continue his implement dealership.

The Missouri FFA has 25,077 members representing 326 chapters. The national organization has more than 523,000 members representing 7,487 local chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, Guam and the 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.

Information provided by the Missouri FFA Association.