Youth News
2016 Oklahoma Star in AgriBusiness- Blake Kennedy of the Tecumseh FFA
Wed, 27 Apr 2016 21:21:09 CDT
Tecumseh FFA member Blake Kennedy's involvement in livestock showing and sales led him to capturing one of Oklahoma FFA's highest honors: the 2016 State Star in Agribusiness. Kennedy received the award for his success in managing Perfect Timing Pig Sales and showing pigs, goats and sheep. His supervised agricultural experience was rated the best agribusiness program among the 836 FFA members who received the State FFA Degree during the 90th Oklahoma State FFA Convention in Oklahoma City on April 27.
Radio Oklahoma Ag Network Farm Director Ron Hays produced the video seen in the Wednesday afternoon General Session where Kennedy was announced as the Star in Agribusiness. Click on the PLAY button in the video box below to see the video that introduced Blake to the General Session audience as the 2016 Star in Agribusiness.
Managing his schoolwork, the pig sale and his show animals taught him to handle responsibilities and priorities, Kennedy said. He also said being in the show ring taught him what it takes to win and how to handle losing. "I feed livestock to show at the National Western, Arizona National, Oklahoma Youth Expo, Tulsa State Fair and American Royal, along with jackpot shows in Oklahoma and my county and district shows," Kennedy said.
On the first Friday of every November, Kennedy and his family host the Perfect Timing Pig Sale. Kennedy said he prepares for the annual pig sale throughout the year, concentrating on marketing and advertising for the event. "This activity has opened several doors for me thus far and allows me to gain great experience with finance, communications and business that will help me later in life," Kennedy said.
Kennedy said his responsibilities include assisting breeders with decision-making, marketing and promoting for buyers and sellers and staying updated on the pigs' performance after the sale.
Kennedy received third-place honors in the Oklahoma FFA Agricultural Service Proficiency Award area in 2015 and 2016. Kennedy is active in the Tecumseh FFA chapter and currently serves as the chapter treasurer.
After graduation, Kennedy plans to study agricultural communications at Seminole State College. He plans to earn his bachelor's degree in marketing and pursue a career in agricultural sales and marketing.
The 18-year-old Tecumseh FFA member is the son of Todd and Regene Kennedy. His agricultural education instructor and FFA advisers are Kendall Whittington, Dodge Nichols, and Kenny Ledford.
Along with the State Star honor, Kennedy also received the Governor's Trophy and a $1,500 cash award sponsored by Blue & Gold Sausage Co. The national sponsor for this award is DuPont Co. and CNH Industrial Capital.
WebReadyTM Powered by WireReady® NSI
