Student's lawn care business cuts a path to FFA's top honor

Parker Napier's future is as neatly trimmed as the lawns he's been mowing since age 11. The Summerland FFA standout cut through the competition at the Nebraska State FFA Convention, earning the prestigious State Star in Agribusiness and claiming the top spot in turf and landscape management-proof that his grassroots business is growing into something much bigger.

Summerland FFA Advisor Jacob Goldfuss said Napier is the first Star winner from the school. The awards were presented at the 2025 Nebraska FFA Convention, held April 2 to 4, in Lincoln.

"The Star Awards are arguably the most prized awards you can earn in the organization. I think it is so important to recognize and acknowledge kids for working just as much as we do for their achievements and accomplishments in school activities," Goldfuss said.

Napier owns Parker's Lawn Mowing. He bought his first mower from his parents, Chad and Karen, of Ewing.

According to a 2002 SAM article, Napier said he launched the business "because he was bored and needed something to do. I'm not the type of person to sit at home and do nothing."

What began as a way to stay busy sprouted into a full-blown supervised agricultural experience-and now, a dual state honor.

The Turf and Landscape Maintenance proficiency application followed a similar path as the Star award, but the Star application demanded deeper digging.

"The State Star was more detailed and took longer," Napier said.

Applicants must be high school seniors, earn a state degree, and align their project with a nationally recognized proficiency area. The Star application calls for financial documentation, detailed journal entries, and reflections on skills learned through the SAE-an experience Napier said helped sharpen his edge in several areas.

Napier credited the experience with building key professional tools: communication, time management, record keeping, and business savvy.

"Hopefully, in the next few years I can use these skills to start my own custom drone applicators business," he said.

Goldfuss knew early on that Napier's entrepreneurial mindset was a cut above.

"I asked him why he had his Chromebook out one day his freshman year. He told me he was reconciling his accounts," Goldfuss said. "Parker's work ethic is next to none. In today's world, a solid work ethic is hard to find in anyone, regardless of age. But it is especially rare for a kid to have a work ethic like that, let alone the sheer responsibility of managing his business."

After submitting the application, Napier interviewed at the district level. His materials advanced to the state round, where top applicants waited for the final results.

"When my name got called, all I could do was smile," Napier said. "Standing on stage in front of thousands of people was kind of a cherry on top for my senior year. The application took me around four months, so mainly I was just happy that it all paid off. It was so rewarding knowing my hard work-both in my business and the application-paid off."

Goldfuss said Napier started the process in October and wrapped it up by the end of January. He put in long hours-before school, during study hall, over lunches, and even during Christmas break.

"There were definitely times he probably wanted to quit or thought, 'What's the point?'" Goldfuss said. "I think it shows kids that you can do anything you set your mind to, to take advantage of opportunities presented to you, and that it's cool to work and be proud of other accomplishments you've achieved outside of sports."

He added that Napier's business instincts are rare among students.

"Very few kids have done what he has with his business," Goldfuss said. "The way he's grown it-continuously adding services, setting goals, crafting a transition plan, and giving back to the community-is incredible."

For Napier, the biggest takeaway has been perseverance.

"I dreaded the process of the applications but in the end it paid off," he said. "And, do not be afraid to try new things and take advantage of opportunities presented to you. I learned so much through the application process, like professional writing and reflecting on skills that will help me in the future as I start another business."