Specialty Animal Production –Entrepreneurship/Placement
Michael Valencia of the Madera FFA Chapter in California is the owner of 75 honeybee hives and operates his own small business offering pollination services to local farmers. Starting as a freshman, his father – also an apiarist – donated 15 hives to his son to get started. Since becoming part of the industry, he has developed an understanding of the importance and impact of pollination on the farming community. Valencia markets his honey he collects to a cooperative in 55 gallon drums and plans to double his hives with each passing year. He is supported by his father Emilio and his FFA advisors Sheryl Sisil, Robert Labrucherie, Rebecca Bigelow, Tim Denie, Alex Gutierrez and Brent George.
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