INDIANAPOLIS — Winners of the 2019 National Agricultural Proficiency Awards were announced on Friday, Nov. 1 during the fifth general session at the 92nd National FFA Convention & Expo. Awards were given in 47 categories. Illinois had the following winners:
Agricultural Sales – Entrepreneurship
Braylee Finck – Illinois
Braylee Finck of the Maroa-Forsyth FFA Chapter in Illinois operates a floral design business called Petals & Blooms. She prepares arrangements for proms, weddings, funerals, showers and graduations. She is completely in charge of all business purchases, sales and designs. Finck has hired assistants to support her work as well. She is supported by her parents, Selina and Nick, and her FFA advisor, Cassie Crouch. Sponsored by Nutrien Ag Solutions and Valent USA Corporation.
Goat Production – Entrepreneurship/Placement
Tara Hummel – Illinois
Tara Hummel of the Tri-Point FFA Chapter in Illinois has been involved in her family’s livestock operation for as long as she can remember. Her early chores included walking show goats, helping feed and just spending time in the barn. Since then, she’s learned about systematically and effectively running a small ruminant business in addition to necessary management practices. Hummel plans on eventually taking over the family business. She is supported by her parents, Holly and Dale, and her FFA advisor, Diana Loschen. Sponsored by Tractor Supply Company.
The National FFA Organization provides leadership, personal growth and career success training through agricultural education to more than 700,000 student members who belong to one of the more than 8,600 local FFA chapters throughout the U.S., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The organization is also supported by more than 8 million alumni and supporters throughout the U.S.
— National FFA Organization
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