Category Archives: 2016 Convention
Sheep Production—Entrepreneurship/Placement Brant A. Francis—Missouri
Brant A. Francis of the Paris FFA Chapter in Missouri began his project as soon as he could pack a bucket and fill a feed pan. He began by purchasing two Southdown ewe lambs. Docking tails, drying newborns by the … Continue reading
Agricultural Sales—Entrepreneurship, Braden Warren Ifft—Illinois
Braden Warren Ifft of the Tri-Point FFA Chapter in Cullom, Ill., inherited his business from an older brother and sister. Selling all-natural, free-range eggs and turkey products, he operates his business in the greater Chicago area. He receives orders for … Continue reading
Agricultural Services—Entrepreneurship/Placement, Rhett Michael Bain—Texas
Rhett Michael Bain of the Canyon FFA Chapter in Texas has developed, marketed and implemented a smartphone application called StockStat. The app has changed the way people attend and watch stock shows and state fairs. Free to customers but sold … Continue reading
Goat Production—Entrepreneurship/Placement, Mckenzie Brooke Torrance—Oklahoma
Mckenzie Brooke Torrance of the Cheyenne FFA Chapter in Oklahoma started her goat production operation when she was 9 years old. That year, she purchased, exhibited and bred her first show doe. Her goal is to produce high-quality wethers and … Continue reading
Agricultural Sales—Placement, Maddison Taylor Caldwell—Illinois
Maddison Taylor Caldwell of the Elmwood FFA Chapter in Illinois works for Willoughby Sales, an online marketing and auction company specializing in the sale of show animals. With more than 40,000 registered bidders, she assists with sales in a variety … Continue reading
Specialty Animal Production—Entrepreneurship/Placement Jake Keith Bobo—Oregon
Jake Keith Bobo of the Baker FFA Chapter in Baker City, Ore., has been doing his SAE since the third grade. As a fourth-generation beekeeper, he bought his first pallet of bees with money he got from mowing lawns. In … Continue reading
Environmental Science and Natural Resources—Entrepreneurship/Placement Joshua Matthew Randall—Indiana
Joshua Matthew Randall of the Danville FFA Chapter in Indiana has partnered with the local Natural Resource Conservation Service and the Hendricks County Soil and Water Conservation District. Working in the field, he collected and interpreted data and conducted outreach … Continue reading
Diversified Livestock Production—Entrepreneurship/Placement, Ross Blattner—Idaho
Ross Blattner of the Kuna FFA Chapter in Idaho has an SAE project with 57 registered Suffolk ewes and three registered Suffolk stud rams. He’s chosen the Suffolk breed because of their superior milking and mothering ability. He’s also raised … Continue reading
Beef Production—Entrepreneurship Curtis Mathew Harsh—Ohio
Curtis Mathew Harsh of the Buckeye Valley FFA Chapter in Delaware, Ohio, was mentored at a young age by his father and grandfather, learning how to feed, breed, show, and manage beef cattle. Today, he has an SAE that is … Continue reading
Vegetable Production—Entrepreneurship/Placement, Garrett Hershel Harrell—Georgia
Garrett Hershel Harrell of the Colquitt County FFA Chapter in Norman Park, Ga., works at a 600-acre produce farm, growing several varieties of tomatoes. As a fifth-generation agriculturalist, he handles all steps of production from transplantation in the field to … Continue reading