Former FFA Member Spotlight: NHRA driver Brian Thiel

By Geoffrey Miller


You can complement the FFA emblem in numerous ways, from traditional to timeless. Combined with the trademark national blue corduoroy jackets, the emblem is just that -- emblematic of the storied National FFA Organization.

But what about fast? Do you really associate agricultural education's most-recognized symbol with speed?

That's just what former FFA member Brian Thiel is doing these days -- and he's not talking about simply breaking your local highway speed limit. Instead, Thiel is racing in the top ranks of drag racing as a 300-mph funny car pilot in the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series. He's got the FFA emblem on board as a way to pay tribute to an organization that helped him get where is he today.

Last week, I got a chance to catch up with Thiel and his drag racing outfit at the Atlanta Dragway in Commerce, Ga. The NHRA's premier series was in town for the annual Southern Nationals and Thiel, competing in first full season, was trying to put his Lucas Cattle Company/FFA Dodge Charger in the field.

But before we get to the racing side of it, here's a bit more on the driver that can cover a quarter mile in just over four seconds. Thiel, as I said, is a former FFA member currently living Pleasant Grove, Calif. There, he and his wife Randi own R&B Farms, a 3,000 acre rice operation -- far from just a simple hobby farmer.

The 36-year-old's 2011 season has seen its ups and downs that any start-up team can expect. The NHRA format affords two days of qualifications in a three-day event, with the top 16 teams advancing to eliminations on the final day. So far, Thiel has made two of the six elimination rounds -- including a first round matchup in Houston, Tex., against legendary NHRA funny car champion John Force.



Thiel looked ready to firmly make the field in Atlanta last weekend after a solid, career-best run in the first round of qualifications. Standing near the start line with his crew, we watched as Thiel's 8,000-hp machine blasted down the 1000-foot track in 4.19 seconds at 296.96 mph. The run put Thiel seventh overall after the round.

Following the round, I followed Thiel and his Brian Thiel Racing team back to his pit area where they thrashed to get the Charger's engine torn down and built back up -- a 45-minute marvel in mechanic work -- in time for the next run. In the mean time? Thiel made a call back to California to order more rice seed for some spare acres he was able to plant.

Thiel dropped down the standings a bit in the remaining qualifying rounds, and the team had trouble getting the car traction for another quick run and the BTR team missed the field by a slim three-thousandths of a second. Thiel was actually faster than three other drivers in the field, but NHRA qualifying rules left him on the outside looking in.

BTR is back in actionJune 2-5 for the NHRA SuperNationals in Englishtown, N.J. As always, every ticket into an NHRA event is a pit pass and Thiel and his BTR pit is extremely accessible for fans to meet Brian and get an autograph.

Be sure to stop by and say hello, and check out Brian as he races on ESPN2!

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Geoffrey Miller is a former state FFA officer from Indiana. He currently works at the National FFA Organization as a Communication Specialist.

Columbia's pork producers and exotic fruits

Collegiate agriculture students who were selected to take part in the International Collegiate Agricultural Leadership (I-CAL) program are currently traveling in Columbia and Panama and blogging about their adventures.

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Que dice el cerdo (What does a pig say)? Oink Oink. (ha ha).

Today we visited a local swine producer who raises hogs from farrow to finish outside of Cali, Colombia. Everyone was delighted when we were each handed a pair of blue coveralls, plastic booties and a hair net before entering the facility.

Paradise Farms, the swine operation, is locally owned and operated. A featured technology of the operation is the process used to convert animal waste into compost and heat.

The owner is a member of the Colombian Pork Checkoff and a past president of the Colombian Pork Producers Association. The checkoff program was started in 1994 and now helps members by offering trainings to producers and spending time lobbying to the government.

It was interesting to be able to see the entire process from farrow to the final marketed product in a tropical environment. Paradise Farms is a very profitable and productive business, some production highlights include:

• 5% mortality rate
• 90% conception rate
• Average of 11 piglets/litter
• Each sow will average 28 piglets/year

Upon leaving the swine operation, we made our way to an open-air Colombian produce and meat market. All fresh foods are domestically produced. Did you know that Colombia is home to 1100 different fruits? Many of these fruits were exotic to us, and we even were able to sample a few.

It was a different experience for us to see the fresh meat market as well with meat hanging in the open air. The market allowed us to experience how the majority of local, small scale producers sell their products.

After a quick outdoor lunch and the opportunity to take a look at the neighboring nursery, we visited a local tropical fruit orchard. The most unique fruit we learned about was the Atamoya fruit, which is a new hybrid fruit created from the Naon and the Chirimoya fruits.

Atamoya is a very sweet and expensive fruit because the tree doesn’t begin producing fruit until three to four years of age. This orchard is the only Atamoya producer in the world, giving them competitive advantage in Colombian markets.

Mangos, macadamia nuts and guanabanas are also found in the orchard. The guanabana fruit is about the size of a football, green and covered in spikes. We ended the tour by seeing how macadamia nuts are cleaned, sorted and dried on location.

We finished the day with a relaxing BBQ dinner as tomorrow will be a very early wake-up call when we fly to Medellin, Colombia.

Jarvis Pace – Utah State University
Gracie Weinzierl – Illinois State University

Does climate affect global food prices?

A new study featured in the Washington Post says that global warming has stunted the growth of corn and wheat crops in Russia, China, Mexico and elsewhere, contributing to a long-term rise in food prices:

Report: Global warming already crimping crop production, pushing prices higher

But, a University of Nebraska professor contends that it’s not clear that the study captured how well farmers can respond to changing temperatures.

Some experts say that studies like these should motivate governments and seed companies to develop heat and drought-resistant crops.

What do you think? How can farmers around the world adapt to changing temperatures while keeping food costs down?

California FFA chapter in need of donated farm equipment

Donated farm equipment that works is the only thing that will save an FFA chapter’s 11-acre alfalfa farm.

The chapter’s 380 members are ready to roll up their sleeves and do everything to keep the farm alive. But they don’t have the right tools, according to a Morgan Hill Times article today.

And unless they find someone to donate mowers, balers and tractors so they can get to work, the farm, located behind Sobrato High School, will be history.

FFA members manage the operation of a greenhouse and livestock barns and can continue taking care of those operations. But their lack of equipment has led to their alfalfa acreage to lie underdeveloped.

So students are asking their community to give any functioning farm equipment to FFA. They’re looking for tractors, power-takeoff implements and three-point implements to move dirt, till, mow, plant, level and harvest their crop. The school’s metal shop classes will also accept equipment that needs minor repairs so they can work on fixes and get the machines to work for FFA.

Sobrato’s agriculture mechanics and veterinary science teacher Joe Martin is the one to contact if you have equipment to give or can help his FFA chapter in any way. E-mail him at joseph.martin@mhu.k12.ca.us.

ILSSO > Steak, Sun, and Struggling Farmers

Bienvenidos a Rosario, Argentina!

We started yesterday off bright and early to our first authentic Argentine breakfast. Then, we departed Buenos Aires for Pergamino to visit Alejandro Calderon at his livestock and row crop farm. There he told us about his rotational grazing practices with his red and black angus beef herd.

He has discovered that raising bulls for stock is much more profitable than selling a finished animal. He also explained to us his cropping system, which includes a winter and summer rotation of corn, soybeans, wheat, and green peas. Soybeans are their preferred crop, even though there is a 35 percent export tax on anything that is sold. This tax seems to be just one of the many governmental regulations that Argentina farmers struggle with on a day-to-day basis. Even so, Alejandro has been successful with his cropping operation and has expanded to include for-hire crop services.

During the heat of the early afternoon, we broke for lunch at the fairgrounds of the Sociedad Rural. Here we were treated to a three course meal. At first we were given a meat tray that we mistook for the main course. After accidentally loading up on bread and Coke, we were than treated to a large, delicious Argentine steak! Just when we thought the meal was done, they brought out a cup of ice cream and frozen fruit. It was a refreshing treat for the warm weather.

After lunch we went to Alejandro’s machinery shed. He is one of the few farmers in the area who is able to own his own machinery. He explained the uses for his machinery and how he has begun to implement technology such as GPS.

Next we traveled to their equivalent of a local elevator. We learned that they take wheat from the local farmers, but they only trade soybeans. This 19,000 metric ton storage facility was also a dealer for agrochemicals and fertilizer. We recognized many brand names from the United States.

Finally, we boarded the bus and headed to Rosario where we stayed for the night. Many of us adventured out on the town to enjoy more local cuisine. We look forward to tomorrow and another sun filled day in Argentina where we'll add on to today’s sunburn!

Adios Amigos!

“The Red Hot Chili Peppers”

Ryan, Iowa
John, Nebraska
Jeff, Kansas
Travis, Idaho
Paige, Washington
Brady, South Dakota
Cody, Illinois
Allison, Texas
Kaite, Michigan
Alec, New Jersey
Lynsey, Florida
Derek, Minnesota
Gaby, Puerto Rico
Sarah, Tennessee
Clay, Florida
Holly, Georgia



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Current and past state FFA officers are invited to participate in the International Leadership Seminar for State Officers (ILSSO). Participants spend 10 days traveling abroad and learning about international agriculture and the global marketplace. Find out more about National FFA Global programs on ffa.org.

FFA Advisors Help Soldiers' Mission in Afghanistan

The Indiana National Guard' Agribusiness Development Team is preparing students in Afghanistan to become the future leaders of their country's agriculture industry.



And, they're getting a little help from Indiana's agriculture teachers and FFA advisors.



The 3-19th agribusiness team requested lesson plans from each of Indiana's 186 National FFA Organization chapters to help provide Afghan youth with practical experiences in agriculture.



Financial management and record keeping are critical tasks for the Afghan students as they work towards establishing profitable, sustainable agribusinesses.



U.S. Army Maj. Jeremy Gulley, who oversees the program, explains the purpose of their mission:



"Improved education will illuminate the path to a future that thirty years of war has made impossible and unknowable."



We thank the 3 - 19th agribusiness team, and all U.S. soliders, for helping secure a better future for our country and for the world.



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For more information about the 3-19th and their mission, and agriculture in Afghanistan, check out these links:

• Press Release: Indiana Future Farmers Assisting Khost Agricultural Students


• Agribusiness Development Team's Website


• Agribusiness Development Team's Photo Essays
  
• Agriculture in Afghanistan (USDA)