Derek Jacob Hoffman of the Ridgewood FFA Chapter in Ohio helps conduct potato chip and tomato production research at the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center.  While his duties were initially limited to washing trays, he now plants, collects and submits data, helps with harvesting, and prepares machines.  He looks forward to graduating from The Ohio State University, starting his career as an agronomist and helping with his family’s farm.  He is supported by parents Tony and Tish Hoffman and FFA advisors Sue Davis and Logan Pyers. This award is sponsored by Cargill.

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Because of his father’s experience as a professional steer wrestling horse trainer, Blaine Mibb of the Adair FFA Chapter in Oklahoma has always been around the rodeo business.  Naturally, his SAE revolves around breaking and training horses for the roping events in rodeo.  After implementing new training techniques to increase horse performance, Mibb was able to increase his average sale per horse by $575. New marketing techniques also increased his client base by 13 percent.  He is supported by parents Brock and Tawna Mibb and FFA advisors Devin DeLozier and Shane Johnson. This award is sponsored by Purina Animal Nutrition LLC and Red Brand.

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AaronR. Retzlaff of the Randolph Cambria-Friesland FFA Chapter in Wisconsin holds 50 percent ownership in T & A Lawn Care and 100 percent ownership in Retzlaff Landscaping.  The first company grew out of an initial mowing contract with a local church; the second started when his FFA advisor hired him to complete a few landscaping projects for the agriculture department.  After primarily using word-of-mouth marketing, Retzlaff has had so many customers that an employee would be necessary if he wants to assume additional business.  He looks forward to pursuing a degree in landscape architecture or civil engineering.  Retzlaff is supported by parents David and Michelle Retzlaff and FFA advisor Keith Gundlach. This award is sponsored by The Toro Company and Wilbur-Ellis Company.

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Cole Sosebee was named the National FFA Wildlife Production and Management Proficiency Winner.  Cole Jackson Sosebee of the White County FFA Chapter in Georgia inherited his father’s love of fishing and decided to turn it into his SAE.  With a local bait and tackle operation, he learned every aspect of the trade.  He developed the skills to operate a trophy trout fishery, feed and keep healthy fish, maintain trails and waters, and help educate the next generation of anglers.  Sosebee is supported by parents Terry and Karan Sosebee and FFA advisors Dustin Keener, Amanda Keener and Brad Dalton. This award is sponsored by the National FFA Foundation.

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Blake Campbell was named the National FFA Swine Production Entrepreneurship Proficiency Winner.  Blake Campbell of the Waterford FFA Chapter in Ohio and his brother co-own their own business titled, “Campbell Brothers 2.”  They raise and market purebred registered Berkshire, Hereford, Tamworth, Spotted and Poland China swine.  Besides selling feeder hogs to local community members and at livestock auction, they also sell show hogs and compete at the Ohio State Fair with their breeding stock.  After earning a degree in agribusiness, he wishes to become the CEO of a feed store and continue farming with his family.  Campbell is supported by parents Joe and Bridget Campbell and FFA advisor Matthew Hartline. This award is sponsored by LA-CO Markal and Tyson Foods, Inc.

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Tony Lopes of the Gustine FFA Chapter in California owns and manages 41 registered
Holsteins on his family-operated dairy farm. At the age of 6, Lopes was involved with the family farm and was able to choose his own calf (through persistence of his father, of course.) Lopes hopes to study dairy science in college with the ultimate goal of continuing the family tradition of dairying. He is supported by parents Paul and Darlene Lopes and FFA advisors Kelly Sanches, Matthew Baffunno and Cameron Wyman. This award is sponsored by DeLaval LLC and New Holland.

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Carissa Haffenbredl was named the National FFA Sheep Production Proficiency Winner.  Carissa Haffenbredl of the Marshfield FFA Chapter in Wisconsin began her sheep project in 2009 with the purchase of a market lamb for the county fair and a ewe lamb to keep.  She has learned about vaccinating, weighing market lambs, calculating rates of gain and docking.  Haffenbredl has also found success in the show ring through winning the 2011 Reserve Supreme Champion Ram at the Wisconsin State Fair.  She looks forward to pursuing a degree in agricultural journalism and continuing to raise, fit and show sheep.  Haffenbredl is supported by parents Kevin and Ann Lindow and FFA advisors Tim Heeg and Mark Zee. This award is sponsored by the National FFA Foundation.

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JordanCadle of the Paoli FFA Chapter in Indiana began conducting scientific research
in the sixth grade as an extra credit assignment.  He studied nitrogen application rates on corn seedling growth.  Eventually these research interests led him to look at other agricultural production practices such as no-tillage and foliar fertilizing. Jordan is supported by parents Kathryn and Danny Cadle and FFA advisors Kerry Wyatt and Cory Scott. This award is sponsored by FMC Corporation – Agricultural Products and Monsanto.

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Brittany Rambatt was named the National FFA Home and/or Community Development Proficiency Winner. Brittany Rambatt of the Big Foot FFA Chapter in Wisconsin began her SAE as a freshman.  First, she started volunteering around her community in simple ways like painting a local church’s garage or sorting donations at the town’s food pantry.  These introductions to service led her to apply for a National FFA Food for All grant that helps to combat hunger in her community.  She designed a program called “Fuel Foods 4 Families” that would raise and produce four areas of nutrient-rich products for local food pantries:  fish, eggs, vegetables and chickens.  Rambatt is supported by parents Kenneth and Betty Rambatt and FFA advisors Lisa Konkel and Rick Henningfeld. This award is sponsored by Carhartt, Inc.

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