2022 Swine Production- Placement Proficiency Winner: Dallas Sills

Dallas Sills of the White County High School FFA Chapter in Georgia raises and processes pigs through his company, Mossy Creek Pork. At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, he realized that a shortage of pork in his community presented a need. He purchased feeder pigs from the animal science department at the University of Georgia. Sills has a standing appointment with a livestock processor for two hogs each week and has received a license to sell. Through his operation, he sells pork chops, sausages and ribs. Sills is supported by his parents, Kelly and Doug.

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Retiring Address: Erik Robinson

Listen to the retiring address of Southern Region Vice President Erik Robinson

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Employment Skills LDE Winner Hails From Georgia

Chloe Paulk of the Irwin FFA chapter in Georgia won the National Employment Skills Public Speaking Leadership Development Event (LDE) and thankful for the people who’s supported her, including FFA area staff like Brittaney Schwing.

The Employment Skills LDE is a competitive event that tests a student’s ability to perform effectively throughout the entire job application process. The participants prepare a resume, cover letter and complete an online application. They also participate in phone, one-on-one and panel job interviews as part of the competition.

She shares more with Broadcast News Desk Intern Michelle Stangler.

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2022 Sheep Production Proficiency Winner: Conner Cowdrey

Connor Cowdrey of the Brock FFA Chapter in Texas has a business of building, owning and operating a flock of Dorper sheep. His flock consists of 103 head of Dorper ewes and 15 Dorper rams. During a normal week, 10 to 15 hours are spent caring for the sheep, unless it’s lambing season or when vaccination and deworming occurs. Cowdrey is supported by his parents, Devonna and Clay.

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2022 Poultry Production – Entrepreneurship/Placement Winner Jackson Lohr

Jackson Lohr of the Broadway FFA Chapter in Virginia works for the family’s poultry farm, which raises broilers under contract for Pilgrim’s at a capacity of 190,000 birds. The farm consists of one double deck, a mid-sized flat house, and two large flat houses, which Lohr can set up without any instructions. He assists with clean out and litter management keeping the nutrient management plan in compliance with state and local regulations. Lohr is supported by his parents, Jackie and Stephen.

Broadcast News Desk Intern Michelle Stangler has the story.

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2022 Fruit Production – Entrepreneurship/Placement Winner Clark Simmons

Clark Simmons of the Penn Yan FFA Chapter in New York is the third generation to work on his family farm. When he was only ten years old, he started working by replacing broken posts that hold the trellis for the grapes. He learned to prune and trellis the grapes depending on the variety. Simmons was certified through the Environmental Protection Agency, trained for pesticide safety and to be a handler. This certification includes pesticides, fungicides and insecticides. Simmons is supported by his parents, Julie and Daren.

Broadcast News Desk Intern Michelle Stangler has the story.

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Jared Weigandt Named 2022 National Proficiency Winner in Landscape Management – Entrepreneurship/Placement

Jared Weigandt of the New Bremen FFA Chapter in Ohio works for Sidney Lawn and Landscape, a business owned by his father. He is the mechanic and landscape co-foreman, involved in seeding lawns, installing landscapes, lawn maintenance tasks, erosion control, and fertilizer applications. Weigandt is supported by his parents, Lisa and Jeffery.

He shares more with Broadcast Desk Intern, Laura Wuebker.

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Women Empower Women: National FFA Foundation President Explains New Program to Connect Female FFA Members with Mentors

Molly Ball, President of the National FFA Foundation, serves as both an outstanding female leader and influential mentor. Through the support of Rabo AgriFinance, the Impact FFA program Women Empower Women is connecting current FFA members with industry mentors.

Ball shares the importance of mentoring for the next generation of female agriculture nleaders with Broadcast Desk Intern, Lydia Johnson.

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Devin Boyer Named 2022 National Proficiency Winner in Nursery Operations – Entrepreneurship/Placement

Devin M. Boyer of the Franklin County FFA Chapter in Georgia works at Broad River Blooms in his home county. When he began his work, the farm was merely an overgrown field. However, he’s helped that land transform into a field of raised beds used to produce bulbs and tubers, and nursery decorative trees and shrubs. The bulbs and tubers are harvested, sold, and shopped to enthusiasts nationally. The tubers that are produced are primarily dahlia species. Boyers has constructed eight 25-foot raised beds that hold ranunculus and dahlias. Boyer is supported by his parents, Jamie and Michael.

He shares more with Broadcast Desk Intern, Laura Wuebker.

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Texas FFA Member, Sunny Cowley, Awarded Goat Production Proficiency

Sunny Cowley of the Canyon FFA Chapter in Texas owns a show goat herd consisting of 46 head, allowing her to experience all aspects of raising goats from breeding to marketing. Her top priorities are to maintain the health of her animals through proper nutrition, daily care and facilities maintenance. Cowley breeds nannies that she owns to bucks that she leases to have kids to sell and, potentially, for her to show. Cowley is supported by her parents, Mandy and Kelby.

She shares the details of her project with Broadcast Desk Intern, Lydia Johnson.

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