HeartBeat Winter 2017 | Page 18

bought his grandfather’s share of the operation in 2012, and in addition to farming with his dad, Dylan manages his own trucking business hauling cattle. Dylan’s farming operation includes 270 to 300 mostly Angus cows as well as a 2,700-head nursery hog operation which he built in 2016 with a loan through FCS Financial. In 2015, Dylan was one of four finalists for American Star Farmer through the National FFA Organization. He resides in Lamar. RYAN MESSNER - STANBERRY A May 2016 graduate of Northwest Missouri State University, Ryan received a degree in agricultural business. While in college Ryan Ryan Messner served as the Area 1 state FFA vice president. He also participated in National FFA’s New Century Farmer Program and was a member of NWMSU’s collegiate FFA and Farm Bureau. Currently, Ryan is a secretary of Gentry County Cattlemen’s Association, 18 HEARTBEAT | WINTER 2017 serves on the Gentry County Extension Council and is president of St. Peter’s Parish. Ryan said an internship with the Gentry County Farm Service Age