Hunter Sharp Named 2023 National Proficiency Winner in Agricultural Sales – Placement

Posted on November 2, 2023 by Lydia Johnson

Hunter Sharp of the Chiefland FFA Chapter in Florida is the assistant manager at Quincey Beef. He is tasked with taking inventory on trucks and in cold storage, inventory management, connecting with wholesale customers, maintaining records and more. He also posts sales information on various social media platforms. Sharp is supported by his parents, Donna and Bud, and his FFA advisors Dallas Locke and Bailey Buchanon.

Hear more about his project in an interview with Broadcast Desk Intern, Lydia Johnson.

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Kendra Downing Named 2023 National Proficiency Winner in Agricultural Sales – Entrepreneurship

Posted on November 2, 2023 by Hannah Whetstone

Kendra Downing of the Cambridge FFA Chapter in Illinois has owned and operating the Downing Daughters’ Farm Stand for the last four years. She buys pumpkins, honey, mums, popcorn, Indian corn, broom corn, and straw from local wholesales, selling them in her retail store, which is a 15 feet by 50 feet rustic barn. In September and October, she opens the farm stand on Fridays and Saturdays. Downing is supported by her parents Crista and Zane, and her FFA advisor, Trenton Taber.

Downing shared more about her FFA story with Broadcast Desk Intern Hannah Whetstone.

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Georgia FFA Member Named 2023 Service-Learning – Entrepreneurship/Placement Winner

Posted on November 2, 2023 by Michelle Stangler

Adam Jaycob Stone of the Bowdon High School FFA Chapter in Georgia sought to create sustainable change rather than a temporary fix when he recognized the food desert in his community. He created a nonprofit called Go Grow Georgia to fight food insecurity through educational opportunities relating to producing food at home and providing agricultural resources to support the effort. Stone was able to build a garden on public lands and teach clinics on growing food at the learning garden. He is supported by his parents, Meredith and Brian, and his FFA advisor, Richie Farrow.

He shares more about the reasoning why he started the nonprofit and where he plans to take it in the future with Broadcast Desk Intern Michelle Stangler.

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Podcast Host Jack Lingenfelter Wins Agricultural Communications – Entrepreneurship/Placement Proficiency

Posted on November 2, 2023 by Michelle Stangler

Jack Phillip Lingenfelter of the Coffee High FFA Chapter in Georgia records, edits and publishes episodes of the agriculture-promoting podcast, “The Straws That Stir the Drinks.” The podcast is a collection of conversations from national and state FFA officers, elected officials, farmers, agriscience educators and FFA members. Lingenfelter also coordinates a social media account to advertise and network the podcast. He is supported by his parents, Kellie and Nathan, and his FFA advisors Johsua Rogers, Drew Williams, Janie ‘Kailee’ Bennett and Spencer Highsmith.

He shares more about the podcast and future goals with Broadcast Desk Intern Michelle Stangler.

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2023 Ag Services- Entrepreneurship/Placement Winner: Maggie McDonald

Posted on November 2, 2023 by John Ching

Maggie McDonald of the Magnolia FFA Chapter in Arkansas owns M2 Genetics and Testing, a lab to test ruminant animal blood to confirm pregnancies. She saw a developing need for this service in 2019 when the lab she used during kidding season closed. She has had more than 250 customers from 10 states. McDonald is supported by her parents, Kristal and Robert, and her FFA advisors Kelsey Elam and Daniel Davies.

Maggie shares more with Broadcast Desk Intern John Ching.

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Retiring Address: Karstyn Cantrell

Posted on November 2, 2023 by Tom Brand

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Former FFA State Officer turned CLAAS Marketing Intern Shares Experience

Posted on November 2, 2023 by John Ching

CLAAS Marketing Intern and former Iowa FFA State Reporter Rachel Teunissen shares how FFA helps create the next generation of agriculturalists, “Filling potential job positions with those great people that have experience in ag is a key reason why CLAAS comes to the National Convention and Expo.”

Rachel shares more about how her FFA journey helped her find success with Broadcast Desk Intern John Ching.

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75 Years of Support from Ford Trucks

Posted on November 2, 2023 by John Ching

General Manager of North American Ford Trucks John Emmert comments on Ford’s support of FFA, as well as attending his first National FFA Convention and Expo. For 75 years, Ford Trucks has been a sponsor of the National FFA Convention and Expo.

Emmert shares more with Broadcast Desk Intern John Ching.

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Scotland’s Rural College: The Global Influence of FFA

Posted on November 2, 2023 by John Ching

Scotsman and former California FFA member Craig Davidson talks about Scotland’s Rural College. The goal for Scotland’s Rural College’s visit to the U.S. was to learn how to incorporate agricultural education in the schools, “FFA is known throughout the world for having the highest quality students that go out into the industry, and make a difference.”

Craig shares more with Broadcast Desk Intern John Ching.

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Keynote Speaker Emphasizes How to Build Confidence

Posted on November 2, 2023 by Michelle Stangler

No one is born with confidence, but everyone has the ability to build it was the message of the 96th National FFA Convention & Expo keynote speaker Juan Bendaña.

He provided tips to students from across the nation of how to move forward with more than just an idea. He shares more about advice he has for FFA members of how to continue to stay motivated after the National FFA Convention & Expo and what he’s learned from FFA members with Broadcast Desk Intern Michelle Stangler.

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