Alva Review-Courier -

GARBER, Okla. (AP) — When the 2016 American Star Farmer isn't taking care of crops and livestock, he is studying the business, science and technology of agriculture at Oklahoma State University.

Tyler Schnaithman — an agricultural economics major and fifth-generation family farmer — has spent half his life working toward the award, the highest recognition in the nation for an aspiring young farmer.

"It's huge," said Dexter Matlock, who was Schnaithman's FFA adviser at Garber High School.

The Oklahoman (http://bit.ly/2hl1Bh3 ) reports FFA chooses one individual from each state to submit a detailed report and financial records of the business he or she has owned and operated since the eighth grade. From that pool, four finalists are interviewed.

"They are looking for someone who is passionate about the farming and ranching industry," Matlock said.

Someone like Schnaithman.

"He has lived and breathed farming since he was knee-high to a grasshopper," Matlock said. "He could be successful no matter what venture he chose. He chose to feed the world."

Schnaithman took out his first loan at age 11 to buy half interest in a swather. His partner was his big brother.

"One of the first things my brother and I did together is we put up custom hay ... to generate some revenue and spread our cost over more acres," Schnaithman said.

Matlock said as a freshman in high school, Schnaithman was talking about wheat prices and stock markets and making business transactions on his phone between classes.

"He's always been a 35-year-old in a 14-year-old body," Matlock said.

Schnaithman's brother agrees.

"He was an intense little kid," said Travis Schnaithman, the 2008 American Star Farmer.

When Travis was a senior in high school, he was gone from the farm a lot with FFA activities. It was the year their grandpa died.

"That was when Tyler really stepped up to the plate and ran that swather that first year and took ownership in it," Travis said. "At that point it was just like flipping a switch."

"I always enjoyed spending time with my grandpa, my dad and brother on the farm growing up," Tyler Schnaithman said. "When I got to start my program in eighth grade that's when my interest really sparked."

He started with 10 ewes and seven acres of cropland. Eight years later, he owns a lot more.

The Schnaithman brothers work side-by-side with their dad. Each man has his own land. They partner on equipment and help each other harvest and plant.

"Sometimes I take it for granted, but it's always a joy to work together," Tyler said.

Occasionally, the brothers have a difference of opinion with their dad.

"The biggest thing we had to convince him was no-till and crop rotation, planting corn in our area. He just did not think that was the thing to be doing," Travis said.

Each year they plant wheat on half the land and corn on the other half.

"Corn does so much for the soil," Travis said. "The wheat crop that follows yields about 20 percent more."

Travis earned his agribusiness degree at OSU, as did their sister Carly Schnaithman. Both were named Outstanding Seniors. Tyler is now in the running for the same honor.

"We're just thrilled we got all three of them in our department," said Mike Woods, who heads OSU's agricultural economics department.

Woods had Tyler in his career development class last year.

"It was very clear he was focused, dedicated and hungry for information," Woods said. "He is looking for information that will give him more tools for success."

Tyler not only studies hard, but takes advantage of leadership opportunities, he said.

"We're developing not just leaders in agriculture, but leaders in our state in the decades to come," Woods said.

He said Tyler's work ethic and focus are key to his recognition as American Star Farmer. Tyler is only the 10th Oklahoman to win the award, and the second Schnaithman.

The Schnaithman's great-great-grandfather came from Kansas a few days after the Cherokee Strip Land Run of 1893 and traded a wagon and team of horses for the quarter of land he homesteaded.

Their mom's grandpa "just was a heck of a manager" and sold wheat in 1918 for $2 a bushel, Travis said.

"They always said he was really good at arithmetic and always running numbers in his head," he said. "And today that same trait is maybe the most important."

The brothers never doubted they would keep the family tradition going.

"I enjoy farming, but it wouldn't be the same without them," Tyler said. "Working together allows you to be a good team."

Travis said if he and Tyler are out until 2 or 3 in the morning fertilizing wheat ahead of the rain, "we're there to keep each other going and push each other."

"It is a great lifestyle, but if you run it as a lifestyle farm, it's most likely a poor business. But if you run it as a business first, it can provide you a great lifestyle," Travis said.

Last month, Travis and Rylee Schnaithman welcomed the next generation, their son Mack, who may work alongside his dad and uncle on the farm someday.

"I would take a lot of pride in that," Travis said.

For now, Tyler is completing his coursework and looking forward to returning to the farm full time.

The career he settled on in eighth grade is already well underway.

"You've got to be problem solver because you're constantly working through challenges ... There's not a more rewarding thing than harvest time when you're able to harvest a great crop and you know all the hard work and toil and effort that went into it. It's quite an adrenaline rush," Travis said.

"Mother nature doesn't always cooperate," Tyler said, "but you've got to constantly remind yourself that you've got to control the things that you can control."