Chase Aylesworth
Chase is a junior at the University of
Illinois, majoring in crop sciences with a concentration in crop
agribusiness. He is the son of Rick and Debby Aylesworth of Mount
Pulaski and a graduate of Mount Pulaski High School.
Prior to college, Chase was involved with his local 4-H club for
11 years and was a four-year member of the Mount Pulaski FFA. In
college, he is a member of the Hoof and Horn Club and the Field and
Furrow Club.
Chase's goal is to acquire a great deal of knowledge regarding
both products and problems associated with crop production. He said
his interest in agriculture is also tied to a sense of belonging and
community that is found in the agricultural industry.
"I appreciate the tight community within the agricultural
industry," Chase said. "In my mind, no other career choice would
allow me to interact so freely with people who share the same values
and interests as myself."
Cole Baker
Cole Baker is a graduate of Hartsburg-Emden High School and is
currently enrolled at Lincoln Land Community College. He intends to
further his education after Lincoln Land by attending Illinois State
University. His chosen major is agriculture education with a double
minor in ag business and ag communications.
Cole is a Logan County native from Emden. His parents are Randy
Baker and Jerry and Dara Entwistle.
While in high school, Cole was a member of the Logan County 4-H
Ambassadors and Hollanders 4-H. He was also a member of the
Hartsburg-Emden FFA and the Illinois Junior Hereford Association. At
Lincoln Land, he is the vice president of the Lincoln Land Ag Club.
Cole said he believes that agriculture is a very broad field and
that what he learns in ag can easily cross over to other careers as
well. He noted that agriculture is an ever-changing field with new
developments daily, from new livestock vaccines to new technology
and new developments in crop sciences.
Cole said his choice to become an ag educator was influenced by
his high school ag teacher.
"I feel that my ag teacher, Betsy Pech, had some part in my
decision," Cole said. "I have been pondering the decision to go into
agriculture education for some time. After being Section 14 FFA
president and working with high school students, I felt that ag ed
was for me."
Clayton Irwin
Clayton Irwin is the son of Tom and Laura Irwin of Lincoln. He
graduated from Lincoln Community High School with a 3.56 grade-point
average. He is currently attending Illinois State University,
majoring in agronomy management and agribusiness.
Clayton said he chose to pursue a career in agriculture because
it is a diverse and ever-changing field of study. Farming has been a
part of his life all of his life, and he sees endless opportunities
in the field of agriculture.
"I have worked with my dad on the farm all of my life," Clayton
said. "Agriculture is a way of life and very important to me. I
always knew I wanted to choose a major in agriculture. I chose ag
business because it will prepare me for many different opportunities
in the field of agriculture. For example, I could manage a farm or
other agricultural business. I'm excited to continue learning about
the business side of agriculture and the revolutionary methods that
are constantly impacting and improving the field of agriculture."
Todd Irwin
Todd is among the members of the third generation of the Irwin
family operating a dairy farm in Beason. He is the son of Steve and
Ann Marie Irwin and a graduate of Lincoln Community High School.
He is currently attending Richland Community College with a major
in animal industry management.
In high school he was active with FFA, and in college he is a
participant in the Honors Opportunities program.
Todd said his major is a combination of animal science and
agricultural business that will allow him to continue working with
livestock in the future.
"I love being able to work with my dairy animals every day and to
be able to go work out in the field. I also love the community of
farmers in Logan County that have helped me in many ways and offered
so much support," Todd said.
Cameron Jodlowski
Cameron Jodlowski is a freshman this year at Iowa State
University. He is majoring in agriculture and life science education
with a communications option.
Cameron is a Logan County native, a son of Ed and Colleen Jodlowski of Atlanta. He graduated from Olympia High School with a
4.06 grade-point average.
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 In his high school career, Cameron participated in FFA, 4-H and
speech. He was a member of the student council, served as a freshman
mentor and was on the bank board. He was also a member of the
National Honor Society and served on the Illinois State 4-H Youth
Leadership Team.
At Iowa State, Cameron is involved in Agriculture Communicators
of Tomorrow as director of public relations. He is the philanthropy
co-chair of the Iowa State Freshmen Council and a member of the
President's Leadership Class.
Cameron said his choice of college major was because he wants to
go into the communication side of agriculture.
"Agriculture is an ever-changing field and combines my love of
rural America and science. I want to help educate people about
agriculture and help our society understand where their food comes
from," Cameron said.
Evan Jodlowski
Evan Jodlowski is a freshman this year at Illinois State University,
majoring in animal industry management.
Evan, a son of Ed and Colleen Jodlowski of Atlanta, is a graduate of
Olympia High School. In high school Evan was a member of the
National Honor Society and enjoyed a variety of sporting activities,
including soccer, basketball and track.
In college he is an active member of the Collegiate FFA.
Evan said he chose his major so he could follow his passion.
"I decided my major by following what I am passionate about," Evan
said. "I am strongly passionate about producing high-quality
animals." He added that what interests him most about agriculture is
"all of the opportunities that are associated with the agriculture
industry."
Josiah Klokkenga
Josiah Klokkenga is a graduate of Hartsburg-Emden High School and
is currently enrolled as a sophomore at Parkland College. He will
further his college career by transferring to the University of
Illinois as a participant in the Parkland Pathway to Illinois
program.
During his high school career, Josiah served as FFA chapter
president. As a member of the Hartem Clovers 4-H, he held the
offices of secretary, vice-president and president. He was also
president of the youth group at St. Peter Lutheran Church.
In college, he is a member of the Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity and
the U of I Hoof and Horn Club.
Josiah is the son of Alan and Sylvia Klokkenga and grew up
raising purebred Shorthorn cattle. He said he would enjoy having a
career that would involve working in the beef industry. He chose to
major in ag business markets and management because he felt it would
be a broad-spectrum major that would open many doors for him in his
career.
"I chose this major because I knew I wanted something broad
enough in the agricultural section that I would have a wide range of
options for a career path," Josiah said. "I also plan to minor in
animal science so as to have an opportunity to take some
livestock-based courses, such as beef reproduction and other classes
which really interest me."
Troy Rawlings
Troy is a senior this year at Lincoln Community High School with
plans to attend Lincoln Land Community College. He is the son of
Dave and Tracey Rawlings and a member of a multigenerational farm
family.
Troy plans to major in ag business management and wants to stay
involved in farming and raising beef cattle.
During his high school career he has been involved in FFA and
4-H. He is a member of the Illinois Junior Angus Association and has
been a member of the LCHS bass fishing team.
"My interest in agriculture is on the farm. I love to work on the
farm and raise Angus cattle," Troy said.
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