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. Indiana had the following winners:
Diversified Horticulture – Entrepreneurship/Placement
Cameron Matthews – Indiana
Cameron Matthews of the Shenandoah FFA Chapter in Indiana has a supervised agricultural experience (SAE) that includes the production, marketing and sale of a wide variety of plants and other services he offers. In 2018, he grew and marketed 406 hardy mums, 500 zonal cut geraniums, 400 seed geraniums, 104 decorative cabbage plants, 300 petunias, 800 gourds and more. He also tilled eleven gardens and mowed six and a half acres. Matthews has also learned how to advertise, utilizing social media and farmers markets to do business. He is supported by his father, Shawn, and his FFA advisors, Caroline Kuhn, Steve Hickey and Tammie Gadberry. Sponsored by The Toro Company.
Small Animal Production and Care – Entrepreneurship/Placement
Mary Timm – Indiana
Mary Timm of the North Putnam FFA Chapter in Indiana received her first sugar glider in 2012, deciding to breed them for her supervised agricultural experience (SAE). When she began, she worked with a breeder who was retiring after 25 years, allowing her to take over the operation. As the owner of GlidingLight, she has built the business, adding six breeding cages to the 14 she originally acquired. Timm is supported by her parents, Angela and Mark, and her FFA advisors, Katrina Skirvin and Janna Oxford. Sponsored by Elanco Animal Health and Tractor Supply Company.
Swine Production – Placement
Cade Snethen – Indiana
Cade Snethen of the Benton Central FFA Chapter in Indiana works at a confinement feeding operation raising swine. The operation is wean-to-finish and houses approximately 4,200 hogs at a time. He manages the entire barn, handling everything from physical maintenance to administering vaccinations that ensure the integrity of the herd health. Snethen is supported by his parents, Rachel and Jeff, and his FFA advisor, Amanda Mullins. Sponsored by National FFA Foundation & National FFA Organization.
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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