Agri-Entrepreneurship Award Program An Introduction

WHAT IS IT? Do you have a secret dream to start or own a business? Do you have a secret dream to start or own a business? Do you see a market opportunity that has been overlooked by others? Do you see a market opportunity that has been overlooked by others? Then the Agri-Entrepreneurship Education Program is for you! Then the Agri-Entrepreneurship Education Program is for you!

What is an agri-enterprise? What is an agri-enterprise? An agri-enterprise is any business in the agricultural industry which includes production agriculture, food, fiber, the environment and natural resources. An agri-enterprise is any business in the agricultural industry which includes production agriculture, food, fiber, the environment and natural resources. All FFA agricultural proficiency award areas qualify, but there may be many others. All FFA agricultural proficiency award areas qualify, but there may be many others.

AWARD IS BASED ON: The Agri-Entrepreneurship Student Awards are designed to recognize FFA members who have successfully planned and/or started agri-enterprises. The Agri-Entrepreneurship Student Awards are designed to recognize FFA members who have successfully planned and/or started agri-enterprises. The award is based on the business plan development. The award is based on the business plan development. All FFA members (who have paid their dues) are eligible to compete, including those who have graduated from high school. All FFA members (who have paid their dues) are eligible to compete, including those who have graduated from high school. Money awards are available at local, state and national levels. Money awards are available at local, state and national levels.

LOCAL SPONSOR Chapter Winner receives $150 cash award and certificate. Chapter Winner receives $150 cash award and certificate. If there is more than one student from each chapter, advisor must designate chapter winner. If there is more than one student from each chapter, advisor must designate chapter winner.

THIS IS NO JOKE! No matter how hard we try to advertise this award we can’t seem to get the participation numbers up. No matter how hard we try to advertise this award we can’t seem to get the participation numbers up. Every FFA chapter is eligible to participate in this program. Every FFA chapter is eligible to participate in this program. The total number of applicants we’ve had at the national level is no more than 90. The total number of applicants we’ve had at the national level is no more than 90. Think of the odds on being one of the 10 national winners. Think of the odds on being one of the 10 national winners.

Guidelines Any FFA member can apply- multiple applications from a chapter are encouraged Any FFA member can apply- multiple applications from a chapter are encouraged  Chapter winner designated  Forward all applications to state level  States forward all applications to national level Chapter winner receives certificate, jacket pin and $150 from National FFA Foundation and sponsor USDA Rural Development Chapter winner receives certificate, jacket pin and $150 from National FFA Foundation and sponsor USDA Rural Development

Guidelines continued STATE RECOGNITION STATE RECOGNITION (if state conducts competition) Each finalist receives $250 cash award Each finalist receives $250 cash award Certificate in black frame Certificate in black frame

Guidelines continued Ten national finalist selected Ten national finalist selected  Each finalist receives $1,000 and the chapter of each finalist receives $500  Recognition at the national convention in October.

Twenty examples of past winners! A business that produces and markets crafts made from barn wood A business that produces and markets crafts made from barn wood A company that produces vegetables, fruits and maple syrup for sale at farm markets A company that produces vegetables, fruits and maple syrup for sale at farm markets A business producing floral crops and arrangements A business producing floral crops and arrangements A company using worms to break down compost resulting in fertilizer A company using worms to break down compost resulting in fertilizer

Owning a specialty hay business for small horse owners. Owning a specialty hay business for small horse owners. A field scouting service for crop producers A field scouting service for crop producers A utility trailer sales business A utility trailer sales business A special diets “meals to go” processing/food science enterprise A special diets “meals to go” processing/food science enterprise A fabrication company that specializes in building livestock equipment A fabrication company that specializes in building livestock equipment A specialty fruit and vegetable business that markets to the local Asian community A specialty fruit and vegetable business that markets to the local Asian community

A vacation home lawn maintenance business A vacation home lawn maintenance business A welding service to area farmers A welding service to area farmers A feedlot cleaning business A feedlot cleaning business A relief milking service for area dairy farmers A relief milking service for area dairy farmers A water analysis business A water analysis business A u-pick strawberry operation A u-pick strawberry operation Providing livestock and entertainment services to fairs and rodeos Providing livestock and entertainment services to fairs and rodeos

Selling insect mounts to agriculture and science departments Selling insect mounts to agriculture and science departments Operating a small-scale floral shop Operating a small-scale floral shop A lawn maintenance and landscape service A lawn maintenance and landscape service WHAT IS YOUR IDEA? WHAT IS YOUR IDEA?

Materials & Information Application available on line at or CD-ROM Application available on line at or CD-ROM Application on Microsoft Excel Template (Microsoft Office 2000) Application on Microsoft Excel Template (Microsoft Office 2000) National Staff Technical Assistance National Staff Technical Assistance Deborah Sellers, CARE Division Deborah Sellers, CARE Division Program Coordinator (317) or Program Coordinator (317) or Rosalie Hunsinger, CARE Division Rosalie Hunsinger, CARE Division Program Manager (317) Program Manager (317)