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The 19-year-old member of the Sanilac FFA Chapter was one of four finalists nationwide for the award in the category of diversified crop production Ð entrepreneurship. To win, he had to defend the financial records from his farming operation and show he was the primary manager and decision-maker on the 60-acre farm that he's operated since high school.

Diversified Crop Production Ð Entrepreneurship is one of 47 FFA proficiency award categories offered at local, state and national levels.

Wilke is the first member of the Sanilac chapter to receive the national award.

"I think of all the students I've had over the 20 years, Tim is very deserving of this recognition," said Robert Sollman, advisor for Sanilac FFA chapter at the Sanilac Career Center.

"He's a hard working, very goal oriented young man. He approaches things with the purpose of being successful and doing what it takes to be successful, " said Sollman, who also teaches biotechnology at the Career Center.

A 2006 graduate of Deceville High School, Wilke is a second year student at Saginaw Valley State University, where he is majoring in agronomy.

He is the son of Randy and Sandy Wilke of Palms.

"We're quite excited," said Sandy, an elementary teacher at Deckerville Schools. "So is he."

The Sanilac chapter also sent three judging teams to the convention in Indianapolis, Indiana, Oct. 23-27. The teams won silver medals, and also individual medals.

The dairy judging team finished 20 out of 42 teams entered. Individually, Sarah Michalek of Deckerville won a gold medal, Ruth Kahabka of Marlette and Jacob Shephard of Brown City received silver, and Jonathon Brewer of Brown, brought home a bronze.

The forestry team finished 26 out of about 40. Troy Bollon of Croswell-Lexington won a silver, while Aaron Ginn of Brown City, Justin Binkley of Brown City and Justan Horst of Sandusky won bronze medals.

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The livestock judging team finished 26 out of 44. Bradley McNary of Brown City won a gold medal, Katie Sollman of Brown City and Jessica Fraley of Sandusky won silver, and Lenae Mahaffy of Sandusky took home a bronze.

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