Three Kansas FFA Members Win National Proficiency Award
INDIANAPOLIS - Winners in the National Agricultural Proficiency Awards Pageant were announced on Friday, Oct. 23, at the 82nd National FFA Convention. Awards were given in 47 categories.
2009 Agricultural Sales - Placement
Bridget L. Baker - Kansas
While preparing for the national floriculture career development event, Bridget L. Baker of Kansas began working at Owen's Original Floral shop. The Washington County FFA chapter member then became more motivated to learn about the business and was soon assisting with all facets of the business by consulting and advising clients, quoting and determining prices, taking customer orders, creating and designing merchandise and more. She is supported in her endeavors by her parents, Philip and Jeanette Baker, as well as by her FFA advisor John Kern.
2009 Poultry Production - Entrepreneurship/Placement
Duane Unruh - Kansas
For Duane Unruh, the motto, "If opportunity doesn't knock, build a door," sums up this Peabody-Burns FFA chapter member's drive to succeed. He began raising broilers in third grade for a 4-H project and, years later, is now the owner of Unruh Pasture Fresh Poultry, where he raises, butchers and markets Cornish cross broilers and produces eggs from Black Sexlink hens as his supervised agricultural experience program (SAE). His business also serves a niche market that welcomes fresh poultry without hormones or antibiotics and fresh eggs from hens kept on pasture. Duane is supported by his parents, Harlin and Doris Unruh, and his FFA advisors, Glenn Bechtel, Steve Thorburn and Sonya Roberts.
2009 Wildlife Production and Management - Entrepreneurship/Placement
Jeri Sigle - Kansas
Jeri Sigle, a member of the Council Grove FFA in Kansas, became interested in hunting and trapping when she was 5-years-old. That's when she realized she absolutely loved being outdoors and protecting and managing the health of various wildlife. Following in the footsteps of her parents, who are avid wildlife trappers, she began her own trapping and fur harvesting enterprise in Morris County. Now she can construct her own trap, saving hundreds of dollars. Her trapping expeditions take place on 3,000 family- and neighbor-owned acres of grassland next to the Neosho River in the rolling Flinthills of Kansas. She is supported by her parents, Chris and Sharmon Sigle, and her FFA advisor, Brandon Barr.