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