Category Archives: 2015 Convention
Swine Production Placement–Matthew S. Ries (WI)
As a child, Matthew S. Ries of the Lomira FFA Chapter in Wisconsin helped his father feed hogs and give vaccinations on the family hog farm. When he was in the third grade, he was given two pigs to raise … Continue reading
Swine Production Entrepreneurship–Augustas L. Mitchem (OH)
Augustas L. Mitchem of the Miami Trace FFA Chapter in Washington C.H., Ohio, has lived on a swine farm all his life. His grandfather started him out with six sows and he has since expanded to a 22-sow herd. He … Continue reading
Specialty Crop Production Entrepreneurship/Placement–Brett Petersen (MN)
Brett Petersen of the Kerkhoven Murdock Sunburg FFA Chapter in Minnesota works for his family farm producing 1,500 acres of sugar beets. He began his own independent operation in 2014 by purchasing 25 acres of sugar beets to grow. He’s … Continue reading
Specialty Animal Production Entrepreneurship/Placement–Victor Elias Johnson (CA)
Victor Elias Johnson of the Lemoore FFA Chapter in California works for his grandmother’s business, caring for several hundred bee hives used for the production of honey. As a child, he would help his grandmother in the delicate and important … Continue reading
Small Animal Production and Care Entrepreneurship/Placement–Lacie Anne DeRojas (FL)
Lacie Anne DeRojas of the Dawson FFA Chapter in Texas began her SAE with the selection of market rabbit experiences. This led her to start raising her own breeding stock, and today she has 67 does and eight bucks. DeRojas … Continue reading
Sheep Production Entrepreneurship/Placement–Kaylee Brunker (OK)
Kaylee Brunker of the Perkins Tyron FFA Chapter in Oklahoma owns and operates her own show lamb production business, raising high-quality market show lambs that she sells to compete at county, state, and national shows. Her current flock consists of … Continue reading
Poultry Production Entrepreneurship/Placement–Leza Stemple (OK)
Leza Stemple of the Vinita FFA Chapter in Oklahoma has an SAE in the area of poultry selection, breeding, exhibition, care and management. Her project has grown into a thriving business, Heartland Poultry, with annual sales averaging 300 birds and … Continue reading
Outdoor Recreation Entrepreneurship/Placement–Sam Alan Shaver (IN)
Sam Alan Shaver of the Southmont FFA Chapter in Crawfordsville, Ind., is a guide for Coal Camp Outfitters, a business that supports hunters. During the spring and summer months, he erects 80 tree stands, plants 80 acres of food plots … Continue reading
Nursery Operations Entrepreneurship/Placement–Robert Losee (CT)
Since the age of 5, Robert Losee of the Woodbury FFA Chapter in Connecticut has loved working with plants, getting his start in his mother’s vegetable and flower gardens. In 2012, he started his SAE with a placement in a … Continue reading
Landscape Management Entrepreneurship/Placement–Troy Scott Mabis (OH)
Troy Scott Mabis of the Talawanda-Butler Tech FFA Chapter in Oxford, Ohio, has always wanted to be like his father so it made sense that he would go to work for him in his landscaping business. From his mentor, he’s learned … Continue reading