For Samuel Weinheimer, a Panhandle FFA member and fourth-generation farmer, the family business is far more than an after-school activity, it’s a way of life. The high school student has logged over 700 hours working on Weinheimer Farms, a nearly 10,000-acre cotton, milo, and wheat operation in the Texas Panhandle.

“I started operating equipment when I was just 10 years old,” Weinheimer said. “By age 12, I was moving cotton bales and helping scout fields with my dad. Since then, I’ve only added more responsibilities.”

Throughout the seasons, his duties shift with the needs of the farm. In the summer, he scouts crops for pests and assists with wheat harvest. Fall means operating a grain cart and running a cotton stripper. Winter brings time to repair equipment and improve facilities. However, in 2023, he took on his most advanced role yet, operating the CS770 cotton stripper. 

“Getting to operate the CS770 was a big accomplishment,” Weinheimer shared. “After watching the cotton grow all year, it’s really rewarding to be trusted with such an important job during harvest.”

This high-tech machine, responsible for stripping and baling cotton simultaneously, requires focus and skill. He monitors three screens and five cameras to ensure every round module meets quality standards.

“Farming is challenging, but it’s also one of the most rewarding things I’ve ever done,” Weinheimer said. “Being a part of FFA and working on our family farm has taught me not just how to be a better farmer, but how to be a better leader, too.”