FFA Keystone Degree Spotlight: Daniel Peterson

By Bree Weaver, Guest Writer|January 23, 2018

Dan+Peterson

Sara Dane

Dan Peterson

Name: Daniel Peterson

Grade: 12

Placement: Auto restoration

Accomplishments: 

Dan is enrolled in his 4th year of Agricultural Education at Tyrone Area High School. He is the son of Donnie and Kari Peterson of Spruce Creek, PA.  Peterson currently serves as the chapter’s sentinel.

In 2015, Daniel selected a Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) project to buy and restore older trucks.  In three years, he has purchased six trucks.  Daniel has used some of them for parts and others were sold after restoring them.

During the summer and fall, Peterson also raises hogs for the Huntingdon County Fair and PA Farm Show.

“For the past two years, I raised my hogs for the local fair, but I was challenged with an underweight hog one year and this past year, I ran into a conflict with my football practice schedule and show times,” said Peterson, “Each time the hogs were used either at home or sold to local families.  I liked raising hogs, they have great personalities.”

Daniel surpassed the requirement of 25 hours of community service by helping the Warriors Mark 4-H Club, Mobil Ag labs, Tyrone Chamber of Commerce, Bethany Village Assisted Living Facility and the Ronald McDonald House.

Peterson also participated in the State’s Small Gas Engines Career Development Event, regional and state leadership conferences, and various chapter events to meet his degree requirements.

After graduation, Daniel plans to continue to continue with his improvement SAE projects and hopefully join his father’s business.

Daniel Peterson received his Keystone FFA Degree at the 102nd PA Farm Show on January 9, 2018.

In order to receive the highest State FFA Degree a student must be enrolled as an FFA member for the past 24 months, be a senior or recent graduate, complete two years of Ag courses, over 300 hours in a Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) placement (paid or unpaid), participate in 10 FFA chapter activities and five FFA activities above the chapter level, complete 25 hours of community services, include one photo of their SAE program and explain the skills learned, and submit an application.