Raley Downing of the Troy FFA Chapter in Texas has a supervised agricultural experience (SAE) in which she purchases, trains, and resells horses for roping and running barrels. She does everything from exercising and training the horses to cleaning the stalls and maintaining daily nutrition. She increased from three to four horses and invested her rodeo winnings into saddles and other equipment to improve her project. Downing is supported by her parents, Carla and John, and her FFA advisors, Mindy Howard and Justin Smith. Zoetis and Red Brand sponsor this proficiency.

She shares more with Broadcast Desk intern Kailey Foster.

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Listen to 2020-2021 Eastern Region Vice President Miriam Hoffman deliver her retiring address…

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Layton Lee Oswald of the Oakdale FFA Chapter in California trains and manages clients’ horses at his family’s business, 3L Performance Horses. He assists in training and working more than 100 horses each year for customers throughout the United States. Customers send their horses of all ages to be trained in various equestrian disciplines, including roping, reining and reined cow horse. The training program includes boarding, giving lessons, and nutrition and health management. Oswald is supported by his parents, Leeann and Les, and his FFA advisors, Grace Tobias, Edward Hartzell, Matt Marshall and Isaac Robles. Tractor Supply Company sponsors this proficiency.

She shares more with Broadcast Desk intern Kailey Foster.

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Devin Boyer of the Franklin County High FFA Chapter in Georgia has a placement at Broad River Blooms, a place that was just an overgrown field when he began. It has transformed into a 6,000-plant dahlia farm that includes nursery decorative trees and shrubs throughout his time at the operation. The dahlia blooms are harvested and sold to florists. His daily responsibilities include walking the field to ensure that plants are growing straight and correctly, checking for rot and disease, inspecting the irrigation system, and more. Boyer is supported by his parents, Jamie and Michael, and his FFA advisors, Cale Watkins, Taylor Brown and Trey Harris. The National FFA Foundation and the National FFA Organization sponsor this proficiency.

She shares more with Broadcast Desk intern Kailey Foster.

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Renea Schmitmeyer of the Versailles FFA Chapter in Ohio works on her family’s farm, milking 180 Holstein cows in a double ten parlor and thirty breeding age heifers with three herd bulls. She also bottle-feeds 200 baby calves. Her tasks include morning and evening milking, feeding calves, scraping and bedding heifer pens, hauling calves, and checking for irregular health issues. Schmitmeyer is supported by her parents, Brenda and Douglas, and her FFA advisors, Dena Wuebker and Taylor Bergman. The National FFA Foundation and the National FFA Organization sponsors this proficiency.

She shares more with Broadcast Desk Intern Michelle Stangler.

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Harrison Falcofsky of the Stewarts Creek FFA Chapter in Tennessee has completed seven research projects in high school. These include concrete strength experimentation, the feed efficiency of goat kids on a “Robo-Mom” feeder versus traditional feeder, a literature review on sexual misconduct in the agriculture industry, and the analysis of employability skills development through Tennessee FFA Career Development Events. Falcofsky is supported by his parents, Rana and Ari, and his FFA advisors, Amy Olt and Gina Stewart. The National FFA Foundation and the National FFA Organization sponsor this proficiency.

He shares more with Broadcast Desk Intern Michelle Stangler.

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United States Department of Agriculture Under Secretary Jennifer Moffitt attended the 94 FFA Convention and Expo this week. She sat down with Broadcast Desk Intern Kailey Foster to discuss why events such as FFA Convention are important for students.

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