The Missouri FFA Association recognized Nell Waller of the Mexico FFA Chapter as Area 4 Star in Agriscience at the 95th Missouri FFA Convention. She is the daughter of Benjamin and Jackie Waller of Mexico. Her advisors are Kendra Allen, Beth Hawkins, Phoebe Frazer and Chris Denham.

Area Stars in Agriscience are selected based upon outstanding achievement in agriscience as part of a student’s supervised agricultural experience program and active participation in FFA. Area 4 includes 22 chapters in the Northeast District.

American Family Insurance sponsors the 16 area Star in Agriscience awards and the State Star in Agriscience Award.

Waller’s supervised agricultural experience program included three projects over the course of her high school career. The first project involved the evaluation of leg feathers on her show chickens. The next project monitored the growth of plants given three different types of water. Her last project measured the growth rate in swine to evaluate the difference between barrows and gilts.

Waller currently serves as chapter vice president. She has also competed in the meats evaluation, poultry evaluation, and floriculture career development events. Waller has competed in the swine entrepreneurship and agriscience-plant systems proficiency areas. She has also competed at the Missouri FFA Agriscience Fair.

In addition to FFA, Waller is a member of Audrain County 4-H, Genesis Church, and has served as an officer for the Skills USA chapter at Hart Career Center. She is also the football team and track team equipment manager.

After high school graduation, Waller plans to attend Texas A&M to study soil and plant sciences. She intends to pursue a career working with producers and establish a row crop farm for herself.