2012 Convention

Orlando, Fla. – The winner of the State Start Greenhand is John Robert Trimm, Jr. of the Bronson FFA Chapter. Trimm was recognized at the 84^th Annual Florida FFA Sate Convention.

Trimm has worked diligently to be profitable in his Supervised Agricultural Experience project. Trimm has started his own business, growing and selling caladium bulbs and plants.

Trimm was proud of his ability to become financially independent getting the business started.

“I grow caladiums for wholesale, and most FFA members borrow money from their parents in order to get their business started,” he said, “but I borrowed a loan from the United States Department of Agriculture.”

Receiving the State Star Greenhand award has not stopped Trimm from making plans to continue and expand the business.

“I signed some contracts with 17 different grocery stores in my area, and next year I am going to get into a larger corporation in the Southern states with about 3,000 locations,” Trimm said.

Trimm said he would like to tell FFA members just beginning their SAE projects, “It doesn’t matter if your funds are limited or if your land use is limited. You can find a way to work it out, and you can make something of yourself even if everyone else doesn’t think you can.”

Trimm hopes to attend the University of Florida to pursue degrees in horticulture and business.

Students must apply for the State Star Greenhand award by submitting applications to the Florida FFA Association. Candidates are then visited by a panel of judges who select one star in each degree category: Discovery, Greenhand, Placement, Agribusiness, Agriscience and Farmer.

Other candidates for the State Star Greenhand were Landon Smith of the Bronson FFA Chapter, Austin Lenn Davis of the Bunnell FFA Chapter, and Harold Tillis of the Chiefland FFA Chapter. This award is sponsored by Walpole, Inc.

About the Florida FFA State Convention

The annual state FFA convention is truly a week that absolutely everybody should experience.  FFA members come together to celebrate the achievements won by the past and present generations of agriculturalists, while continuing to develop their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success.  Honoring past and present accomplishments, FFA members, along with advisors, alumni, parents and supporters, will be inspired and motivated to take pride in our industry, serve our communities, and become leaders for the future.

About the Florida FFA Association

The Florida FFA Association is a premier youth, leadership organization with 16,000 middle and high school student members – as part of over 300 local FFA chapters across the state.  FFA members participate in nearly 50 leadership and career development events each year. 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.

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Orlando, Fla. – The winner of the State Star Farmer is Catherine Bowman of the Santa Fe FFA Chapter. Bowman was recognized at the 84^th Annual Florida FFA State Convention.

Bowman has a diverse and well-rounded Supervised Agricultural Experience project. From working with her goat production and equine science SAEs to her forage production and armyworm agriscience research project. Bowman recognizes that agriculture is hard work and time consuming, but extremely rewarding.

With her goat production operation, Bowman has increased her herd size from six to 170 and continues to show her goats across the country at shows in New York, South Carolina and Kentucky. She strives to make her goats more “meaty” for her buyers and those who also show her goats.

But Bowman enjoys her equine science SAE the most.

“I have been riding horses since I was 7,” she said. “I love showing hunter jumpers, and one day I want to do the big Grand Prix jumper shows. I just love everything about the equine lifestyle.”

In addition to showing her horses, Bowman also trains younger horses.

With her forage production SAE, Bowman works on an 80-acre hayfield farm cutting coastal Bermuda grass for square and round bales.

Bowman’s armyworm research project has saved 10 local farmers a combined $617,000 in fertilizer and crop loss costs. By predicting the reproduction cycle of the armyworms in costal hay, Bowman was able to help farmers cut potential crop loss costs by establishing an effective method to kill the worms before they could harm the crops. She plans on reaching more farmers through her local extension agent.

With the knowledge Bowman has gained, she hopes to one day share it with her children and “keep the farm in the family.”

Bowman plans on attending Santa Fe College in Gainesville, with the potential to transfer to the University of Florida to attend veterinary school.

Students must apply for the State Star Farmer award by submitting applications to the Florida FFA Association. Candidates are then visited by a panel of judges who select one star in each degree category: Discovery, Greenhand, Placement, Agribusiness, Agriscience and Farmer

Other candidates for the State Star Farmer were Morgan Edwards of the South Sumter FFA Chapter, Benjamin Glass of the Suwannee FFA Chapter, and Michael Holder of the Williston FFA Chapter. This award is sponsored by Farm Credit Associations of Florida.

About the Florida FFA State Convention

The annual state FFA convention is truly a week that absolutely everybody should experience.  FFA members come together to celebrate the achievements won by the past and present generations of agriculturalists, while continuing to develop their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success.  Honoring past and present accomplishments, FFA members, along with advisors, alumni, parents and supporters, will be inspired and motivated to take pride in our industry, serve our communities, and become leaders for the future.

About the Florida FFA Association

The Florida FFA Association is a premier youth, leadership organization with 16,000 middle and high school student members – as part of over 300 local FFA chapters across the state.  FFA members participate in nearly 50 leadership and career development events each year. 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.

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Orlando, Fla. – The winner of the State Star in Agribusiness is Melissa Ritter of the Brooksville Sr. FFA Chapter. Ritter was recognized at the 84^th Annual Florida FFA Sate Convention.

FFA members in this program have dedicated many hours of research to advance agriculture.

Students must apply for the State Star in Agriscience award by submitting applications to the Florida FFA Association. Candidates are then visited by a panel of judges who select one star in each degree category: Discovery, Greenhand, Placement, Agribusiness, Agriscience and Farmer

The others candidate for the State Star in Agriscience were Allison Coelho, Marissa Mancillas, and Shayanne Mumma, all of the Brooksville Sr. FFA Chapter. This award is sponsored by the Mosaic Company.

About the Florida FFA State Convention

The annual state FFA convention is truly a week that absolutely everybody should experience.  FFA members come together to celebrate the achievements won by the past and present generations of agriculturalists, while continuing to develop their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success.  Honoring past and present accomplishments, FFA members, along with advisors, alumni, parents and supporters, will be inspired and motivated to take pride in our industry, serve our communities, and become leaders for the future.

About the Florida FFA Association

The Florida FFA Association is a premier youth, leadership organization with 16,000 middle and high school student members – as part of over 300 local FFA chapters across the state.  FFA members participate in nearly 50 leadership and career development events each year. 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.

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Orlando, Fla. – The winner of the State Star in Agribusiness is Matthew Cantrell of the Baker County FFA Chapter. Cantrell was recognized at the 84^th Annual Florida FFA Sate Convention.

FFA members in this program own a business before graduating high school.

Students must apply for the State Star in Agribusiness award by submitting applications to the Florida FFA Association. Candidates are then visited by a panel of judges who select one star in each degree category: Discovery, Greenhand, Placement, Agribusiness, Agriscience and Farmer.

The other candidate for the State Star in Agribusiness was  were Landon Smith of the Bronson FFA Chapter, Austin Lenn Davis of the Bunnell FFA Chapter, and Harold Tillis of the Chiefland FFA Chapter. This award is sponsored by Walpole, Inc.

About the Florida FFA State Convention

The annual state FFA convention is truly a week that absolutely everybody should experience.  FFA members come together to celebrate the achievements won by the past and present generations of agriculturalists, while continuing to develop their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success.  Honoring past and present accomplishments, FFA members, along with advisors, alumni, parents and supporters, will be inspired and motivated to take pride in our industry, serve our communities, and become leaders for the future.

About the Florida FFA Association

The Florida FFA Association is a premier youth, leadership organization with 16,000 middle and high school student members – as part of over 300 local FFA chapters across the state.  FFA members participate in nearly 50 leadership and career development events each year. 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.

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Orlando, Fla. – Kinsey Ward of the Chiefland Middle FFA Chapter was honored as the “best of the best” as State Star Discovery for the Supervised Agricultural Experience Program. Ward was honored at the 84th Annual State FFA Convention.

Ward is involved in many activities that qualify her for the Discovery Star Award, including bookkeeping and pecan farming. But Ward said showing pigs was her favorite because of the competition, socializing and traveling opportunities.

“It’s life for me,” she said. “I mean living on a farm, it’s stuff I have to do everyday.”

“Some advice I’d have for future FFA members would be to keep at it,” she said. “Don’t give up.”

Since she joined FFA in the sixth grade, Ward said she’s wanted to run for subdistrict, district and state office. She said if she gets elected to state office she would run for national office as well. She wore her Uncle James’ 1950s national state officer ring to convention.

She hopes to attend the University of Florida to become either a veterinarian or an agriculture teacher.

Students must apply for the State Star awards by submitting applications to the Florida FFA Association. Candidates are then visited by a panel of judges who select one star in each degree category: Discovery, Greenhand, Placement, Agribusiness, Agriscience and Farmer.

Other finalists for the State Star Discovery were Jonathan Gaylard of the Branford Middle FFA Chapter, Quin Johnson of the Chiefland Middle FFA Chapter and Anna Beth Conrad of the Tomlin FFA Chapter. The award is sponsored by William E. Hamm & Associates, Inc.

About the Florida FFA State Convention

The annual state FFA convention is truly a week that absolutely everybody should experience.  FFA members come together to celebrate the achievements won by the past and present generations of agriculturalists, while continuing to develop their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success.  Honoring past and present accomplishments, FFA members, along with advisors, alumni, parents and supporters, will be inspired and motivated to take pride in our industry, serve our communities, and become leaders for the future.

About the Florida FFA Association

The Florida FFA Association is a premier youth, leadership organization with 16,000 middle and high school student members – as part of over 300 local FFA chapters across the state.  FFA members participate in nearly 50 leadership and career development events each year. 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.

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Orlando, Fla. – John Burnsed of the Baker County Sr. FFA Chapter was honored as the “best of the best” as State Star in Agricultural Placement for the Supervised Agricultural Experience Program. Burnsed was honored at the 84th Annual State FFA Convention.

Burnsed’s home sits on 40 acres in rural Baxter, Fla. A portion of the land wasn’t being used, so he and his father thought they should put it to use.

“Me and my dad thought maybe we could make this golf course, and we can give the youth something to do out there that would be productive,” he said.

He said the 9-hole golf course they built is unique because it’s the only course within 40 miles.

Burnsed is enrolled at Florida A&M University. Six years from now, he said he hopes to have a doctorate degree in pharmacy. Along with the pharmaceutical courses, he wants to take golf course management and environmental courses.

“I will return and keep working on this golf course to make it more and more environmentally friendly and keep it open,” he said. “It’s something that I really enjoy doing.”

He said that the ideas that surprise you could turn out to get you an award. Burnsed’s advisor was hesitant of the golf course idea at first.

“Nothing is out of bounds,” he said. “Nothing is out of your reach.”

Students must apply for the State Star awards by submitting applications to the Florida FFA Association. Candidates are then visited by a panel of judges who select one star in each degree category: Discovery, Greenhand, Placement, Agribusiness, Agriscience and Farmer.

Other finalists for the State Star in Agricultural Placement were Marisa Crowhurst of the Pine Ridge FFA Chapter, Laura-Kaitlyn Boatright of the Suwannee FFA Chapter and Drew Land of the Suwannee FFA Chapter. The award is sponsored by William E. Hamm & Associates, Inc., and Richard and Yolanda Joyner.

About the Florida FFA State Convention

The annual state FFA convention is truly a week that absolutely everybody should experience.  FFA members come together to celebrate the achievements won by the past and present generations of agriculturalists, while continuing to develop their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success.  Honoring past and present accomplishments, FFA members, along with advisors, alumni, parents and supporters, will be inspired and motivated to take pride in our industry, serve our communities, and become leaders for the future. 

About the Florida FFA Association

The Florida FFA Association is a premier youth, leadership organization with 16,000 middle and high school student members – as part of over 300 local FFA chapters across the state.  FFA members participate in nearly 50 leadership and career development events each year. 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.

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