Sutton student named National Agri-Entrepreneur by FFA

Nebraska

Ashley Nunnenkamp, 15, Sutton, Neb., is one of 10 students from across the country who will receive a National Agri-Entrepreneurship award and $1,000 during a ceremony at the 78th National FFA Convention in Louisville, Ky., Oct. 28. The award program recognizes young people who start or are planning to start businesses.

Ashley, the daughter of Lyle and Deb Nunnenkamp, opened the doors of her business--the Blossom Barn--in 2004.

"I grow and sell specialty cut flowers," Nunnenkamp said. "These flowers are marketed to wholesale floral distributors, retail florists and at farmers markets. I grow more than 20 different types of flowers and plant several different cultivars of the same genus, which gives me a total of over 50 different varieties."

When starting her business, Nunnenkamp wanted something that would work well with her schedule. "I wanted something to do during the summer months. I start my flower beds in April, and sell the cut flower stems July through mid-October," Nunnenkamp said.

"Ashley is very goal-oriented and has a tremendous work ethic," said Tom Hofmann, Nunnenkamp's agriculture teacher and FFA advisor. "She has developed numerous entrepreneurial skills marketing her cut flowers in Hastings and York. Her future is very bright. I can only imagine where this entrepreneurial road will take Ashley."

Nunnenkamp is a sophomore at Sutton Public High School. She served as junior president of her chapter during her freshman year, as well as attending a variety of workshops and the state and national FFA conventions. She is a member of the Sutton girls' basketball team and the jazz band. She is also a member of the Association of Specialty Cut Flower Growers.

USDA Rural Development sponsors the National Agri-Entrepreneur Award Program as a special project of the National FFA Foundation, Inc. FFA is a national youth organization of 490,017 student members preparing for leadership careers in the science, business and technology of agriculture with 7,210 local chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. FFA strives to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education. Visit www.ffa.org for more information.