Kendall Pawlowski (left) and Michael Jahn
KINDE- Two North Huron students have been named finalists for the Michigan FFA Star Farmer Awards Program. The two seniors, Michael Jahn and Kendall Pawlowski, submitted applications at the end of November and were judged against students from across the entire state of Michigan. They were selected as semi-finalists in early December, along with fellow member Tammy Kessel, and were interviewed by a representative from Michigan FFA. The interview included time at the school to talk with the students, their FFA Advisor and Principal as well as time at their farms.
After the on-site interviews concluded around the state, three finalists in two different categories were selected. Michael Jahn was selected as a finalist for the Michigan FFA Star in Agricultural Placement Award. Kendall Pawlowski was selected as a finalist for the Michigan FFA Star in Agricultural Production Award. Michael and Kendall will both interview at Michigan Farm Bureau’s headquarters in Lansing, Michigan on January 10 for an opportunity to be named top in the state in their award areas. They will also be recognized on stage with their parents and school administration at the 89th Michigan FFA State Convention.
Michael’s project involves him working on his family’s crop and swine farm in Port Hope. Michael was employed at a young age to help his dad around the farm and his responsibilities have grown to include operating a majority of the equipment on the farm. Michael will be attending MSU’s Agricultural Industries Program next year. About his future role on the farm, Michael shared the following: “Living in a small community and being involved in a farm that supports our small community has made me realize that I want to live in the area. Continuing to work and gain responsibility on my family’s farm will allow me to stay in the area while growing a business that will employ local residents.”
Kendall’s project involves him helping to run his family’s cash crop farm in Filion as well farm his own 17 acres and care for cattle and ducks that he raises throughout the year. Kendall started farming with his dad early on and his freshmen year had the opportunity to rent his own land and borrow equipment from his dad to grow wheat, black beans and corn the past three years. Kendall plans to continue farming in the future, saying “After high school I plan to pursue an associates degree in Diesel Service Technology to be able to service our own equipment. I plan to take over the farm at some point and expand the acreage and possibly the amount of different crops we grow.”
