Information provided by National FFA and Pettisville FFA

Pettisville, OH – Student researcher, Rebekah Meller, tested the use of garlic in ground beef to eliminate bacteria. For five years she worked on related inhibition of food bacteria problems as her research projects for her science class and her Supervised Agricultural Experience projects . During her junior year of high school she started conducting research with a PhD candidate at The Ohio State University Food Science Lab.  Through her various research projects the Ohio student was able to promote agriscience in her community through the publishing of her findings. Now this research has also won her top honors.

After being selected as a finalist from her application, she had to prepare and present a 15 minute power point covering all six projects she had completed.  The judges then had a five minute question period.

Meller was named Agriscience Student of the Year on Oct. 22 at the 83rd National FFA Convention during an onstage ceremony and was presented with a $3,500 scholarship. She is a member of the Pettisville FFA Chapter. She is the daughter of Donna and Gene Meller, Jr and her FFA advisor is John Poulson.

“My agricultural education courses really fueled my interest in new upcoming agricultural news, such as what can be done with new technology or what can be done with old remedies,” Meller said.  She plans to pursue a career in animal nutrition and credits her experiences in FFA for leading her to that decision.

Eight national finalists are selected for the Agriscience Student of the Year award and received a $1,000 scholarship. To qualify, applicants must present the findings of their own agriscience-related research projects. They are also evaluated on their general academic achievements and their involvement in school and community activities. The Agriscience Student Recognition Program is sponsored by Monsanto as a special project of the National FFA Foundation.

Slide show of - Rebekah Meller's presentation