By ROWENA PLETT

Staff writer

Centre High School senior Tanner Stuchlik has been chosen by the South Central District of Kansas FFA as its star farmer.

Tanner, son of Daniel and Melissa Stuchlik of Pilsen, is an employee of S & V Family Farms, owned by his father and uncle and the Monte Stuchlik family.

His first experience in farming was in 4-H, where he showed cattle and then kept them.

In middle school, he learned how to operate equipment and work cattle. He’s been doing that ever since.

He has learned how to maintain and repair equipment. He runs a grain cart during harvest and fills in wherever needed.

Tanner’s FFA development experience was in diversified crop production. He kept detailed records of everything he did and the wages he earned in a three-ring notebook.

He filled out a lengthy application and submitted his notebook to FFA judges. He also got references from three people.

“I showed them the growth and increased responsibilities I had,” he said.

He will compete with other district star farmers at the state FFA convention at the end of this month.

Tanner is vice president of Centre FFA. He plans to obtain an associate’s degree in farm and ranch management from Hutchinson Community College.

As a junior and senior, Tanner took a welding class sponsored by the college at Hillsboro, and earned 33 college credits.

“I enjoy farming,” he said. “I’ve been a part of it for as long as I can remember, and it’s all I want to do.”