HR0645 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0645 LRB104 20447 LAW 33912 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives wish to congratulate Nevin Erbsen on being awarded the 2025 American STAR in Agricultural Placement by the National Future Farmers of America (FFA) at the 98th National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana; and

WHEREAS, The American STAR Awards represent the best among thousands of American FFA Degree recipients, recognizing FFA members who have developed outstanding agricultural skills and competencies by completing a Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) program; and

WHEREAS, The American STAR in Agricultural Placement is awarded to the FFA member with the top agricultural placement SAE in the nation, an individual who demonstrates outstanding achievement, active FFA participation, and an exemplary scholastic record; and

WHEREAS, Nevin Erbsen, a member of the Eastland FFA in Lanark, is currently a junior at Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa, where he majors in agriculture systems technology with a minor in agronomy; and

WHEREAS, Nevin Erbsen's SAE includes working for four agricultural businesses throughout his educational journey; and

WHEREAS, Nevin Erbsen works on his family's 100-cow dairy, where he milks cows, cares for heifers and IVF-born calves, and prepares show cattle for competition; he also works at Gunderson Dairy Farms, a 500-cow operation, where he does equipment maintenance, KPI monitoring for robotic milking, and ration adjustments to improve herd performance; and

WHEREAS, While attending Iowa State University, Nevin Erbsen works at Chad West of West Acres, operating tillage equipment, helping with the harvest, and performing machinery maintenance; he is additionally employed by Kimberley Ag Sales and Service, working with equipment from multiple major brands; and

WHEREAS, Over time, Nevin Erbsen's roles have grown to include management responsibilities, problem-solving, and decision-making across all parts of these businesses while simultaneously compiling experience to help curate a future where he can lead agriculture into the coming years with automation; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate Nevin Erbsen on being awarded the 2025 American STAR in Agricultural Placement by the National Future Farmers of America (FFA), and we wish him continued success in his endeavors; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Nevin Erbsen as a symbol of our esteem and respect.