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Kokojan raises birds and bucksDrummond student named National FFA Agri-Entrepreneur Oklahoma Chase Kokojan, 18, of Drummond, Okla., is one of 10 students from across the country who received a National Agri-Entrepreneurship Award and $1,000 during a ceremony at the 81st National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, Ind., Oct. 24. The award program recognizes young people who start or are planning to start businesses. Chase, who is the son of Greg and Christine Kokojan, owns and operates Kokojan's Gamebirds, an enterprise that produces and markets bobwhite quail, chukars and ring-necked pheasants, mainly for wildlife repopulation purposes. Kokojan started this business in 2004 after his agriculture class had raised quail for a fundraiser. When the fundraiser was finished, there was still a demand for the birds and Kokojan spotted his opportunity. He has enhanced his business by adding related services. Along with raising birds, Kokojan offers habitat management services. "I assist landowners by developing and establishing game bird habitats," Kokojan said. "This ensures a better survival rate for young chicks when they are released into the wild." In addition, Kokojan offers other services to complement his game bird production, such as disking and planting wildlife plots, working with landowners to develop wildlife management plans, and constructing wildlife feeders, waterers and habitat areas. "Providing services to increase game bird chick survival has bolstered my repeat customer business and increased customer satisfaction with my products," Kokojan said. "Chase is an ambitious young man who manages to combine academics, sports, community service projects, FFA activities, work and hunting into a very busy schedule," said Keith Dillingham, Kokojan's agriculture teacher and FFA advisor. "He has a true desire to improve his environment and assist farmers and ranchers in improving wildlife habitat." Kokojan is a senior at Drummond High School. He has been an active FFA member for the past four years, serving as chapter president for two years, competing in meat, crop and livestock judging, was the 2007 National FFA Wildlife Production and Management Placement Proficiency Award winner, and is a National Finalist for the Wildlife Production and Management Entrepreneurship Proficiency Award this year. He has also attended COLT Conference, Alumni Camp, state and national conventions as well as Made for Excellence and Advanced Leadership Development conferences. In addition to his FFA activities, Kokojan has been a member of his school's basketball and baseball teams, made the Superintendent's Honor Roll, and is a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. The National Agri-Entrepreneurship Award Program is sponsored by USDA Rural Development as a special project of the National FFA Foundation, Inc. "USDA Rural Development is pleased to sponsor the program because investing in today's up-and-coming rural entrepreneurs helps build a bright future for them and their communities," said Tom Dorr, Under Secretary for Rural Development at USDA. "The creativity and innovation that these young people bring to agriculture and rural America will make a difference in their lives and in their communities." The National FFA Organization, formerly known as the Future Farmers of America, is a national youth organization of 507,763 student members--all preparing for leadership and careers in the science, business and technology of agriculture--as part of 7,439 local FFA chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. The National FFA Organization changed to its present name in 1988, in recognition of the growth and diversity of agriculture and agricultural education. The FFA mission is 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.
Date: 12/4/08 Advertisement
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