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Allen supplies bucking stock, fills nicheHolton High School student named National FFA Agri-Entrepreneur Kansas Justin Allen, 18, of Holton, Kan., 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. Justin, who is the son of Steve and Aleta Allen, owns and operates Rockin' Lazy A Ranch Bucking Bulls, an enterprise that produces registered bucking stock bulls. Allen started his business in 2004 with two registered Brahma cows. "I took my interest in Brahma cattle and combined it with my passion for rodeos and bullriding," Allen said. "I applied for and received a $5,000 loan from the USDA Farm Services Agency through the Young Farmer program. I used those funds to purchase two more bred cows, and started raising bucking stock." As a way to draw interest and diversify his product offering, Allen designed and produced hats, t-shirts, coasters, coffee mugs and other items. These items, along with Allen's bucking stock and straws of semen from his herd sires, are marketed on his website, www.rockinlazya.com. "Justin is a hard-working student who has set high goals for himself, and is working diligently to achieve them," said his FFA advisors Jason Larison and Alex Bartel. "He researched what it would take to be successful in the bucking stock business, and developed a plan. He is implementing that plan and making his dreams become reality. Justin has done an outstanding job of applying what he has learned in the classroom to his business." Allen is a 2008 graduate of Holton High School. While in high school, Allen was active in FFA, was a member of National Honor Society, 4-H, the football team, track team and he participated in winter weights. Allen is currently attending Garden City Community College in Garden City, Kan., on a football scholarship, and is studying farm and ranch management as well as graphic design. 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. 11/17/08 Date: 11/11/08 Advertisement
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