Kearney student named National Agri-Entrepreneur by FFA

Nebraska

Waco Phipps, 18, Kearney, 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.

Waco, the son of William and Robin Phipps, owns and operates Sandhills Fencing, a business offering custom fence building, repair and removal services. Phipps was working for the Anchor Cross Ranch building and repairing fences when he decided to start his own fence-building business.

"I had acquired the skills I needed and developed a reputation for good work," Phipps said. "As I looked down the road, I wanted to develop a business that would allow me the flexibility to work within my college class schedule and earn a higher income than the minimum-wage jobs available to most college students."

Sandhills Fencing offers complete fencing services for landowners in south-central Nebraska. "I provide free estimates on all projects," Phipps said. "Whether a customer needs a new barb- or smooth-wire fence built, an existing fence repaired or restretched, or an old fence removed, I can provide that service. I can also install electric, metal, wooden and plastic fencing."

"After we covered agri-entrepreneurship in the classroom, Waco conducted marketing testing within central Nebraska and found that his custom fencing business idea had a great deal of positive support," said Arlen Mekelburg, Phipps agriculture teacher and FFA advisor. "Over the past year since Waco opened his business, I have seen him advance greatly in his communication skills. He has also gained responsibility, keeps accurate records and is becoming a strong leader."

Phipps is a senior at Platte Valley Academy. He is very active in FFA, serving as his chapter's treasurer, vice president and president. Phipps is also an active volunteer, serving as a Salvation Army bell ringer, and as a Progressive Farmer Farm Safety Day Camp training coordinator. He has received the Nebraska Governor's Excellence Award and was selected to attend the 2005 Entrepreneurship for Young People Conference in New York City, where he met top corporate executives and former President Bill Clinton.

USDA Rural Development sponsors the National Agri-Entrepreneurship 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.