Age: 15
Hometown: Steelville, Mo.
Parents: Dustin and Autumn Hardy
Sibling: Younger brother Corbin Hardy
FFA Chapter: Steelville FFA
FFA Advisor: Natalie Koch
4-H Club: Udder, Hooves, Feathers and Fur 4-H
4-H Club Leader: RaMona Andrus
What is your involvement in agriculture? “From a young age, I was encouraged by my family, who have been involved in the dairy industry for many generations. I started at age of 2 in exhibiting a bucket calf. From there, my show string and my love for showing has exponentially grown. I have been honored to attend local, state and even a national event with my heifer, Stil-Dreamin FreeBeer Be.”
What is your favorite part of being involved in agriculture? “Agriculture teaches us valuable life lessons and work ethic. My favorite part has been developing friendships and learning from my fellow dairy community members. We are truly like one big family.”
What are your future plans? “I just started my FFA program as a freshman and look forward to that involvement. I then hope to attend College of the Ozarks and work at the dairy. I haven’t chosen which path to take, but I look for it to be agriculture related.”
Awards: 2021 Ozark Empire and Missouri State Fair Junior Champion Ayrshire; 2023 OEF Reserve Junior Champion Ayrshire; 2023 MSF Honorable Mention Junior Ayrshire 4-H Show (owned with Diesel Dixon); 2023 MSF Honorable Mention Junior Champion Guernsey 4-H Show; and 2023 Tri-County Fair Grand Champion Holstein Heifer.
