Youth News
Threepeat National Proficiency Winner in Diversified Horticulture-Entrepreneurship/Placement--William Maltbie of Burlington
Fri, 26 Oct 2012 17:39:57 CDT
The Agricultural Proficiency Awards honor FFA members who, through their Supervised Agricultural Experiences have developed specialized skills that they can apply toward their future careers. Students can compete for awards in 49 areas covering everything from Agricultural Communications to Wildlife Management. Each award area has two categories, placement and entrepreneurship- although in some award area- those two categories are combined.
Placement proficiency awards are given to those whose SAEs are related to employment, apprenticeships, or internships at an agribusiness or agriculture-related organization. Entrepreneurship proficiency awards are given to those whose SAEs are related to ownership of an agribusiness or agriculture-related organization. Proficiency awards are given out at the local, state and national levels. .
Here in 2012, Oklahoma has advanced and brought to Indianapolis 20 National Profiency Finalists out of the 49, which was the third most Finalists behind Georgia and California. By the end of the afternoon on Friday, Oklahoma had claimed 8 National Profiency Titles, matching the number the state claimed two years ago at the national convention. Georgia claimed ten national titles, with Oklahoma and Georgia well ahead of other states with multiple titles in the Profiency Award categories.
For the third time, the 2012 National Proficiency Award in Diversified Horticulture-Entrepreneurship/Placement was awarded to William Maltbie of the Burlington FFA Chapter.
Maltbie fell in love with his first riding lawn mower because it reminded him of a mini tractor. Soon he added the hedge trimmer, weed eater and blower to his landscaping repertoire. Maltbie has increased the number of lawns he services from eight to 32, winning clients who acknowledge his work ethic and expertise. He is supported by his parents Janet and James and his FFA advisor Travis Bradshaw.
Though he is a student at OSU in agricultural engineering, Maltbie says he intends to build a career using his skills in horticulture and turf management as a golf course superintendant. Maltbie says he hopes to continue his winning ways with FFA and hopes to add a Star Farmer Award to his collection.
Click on the LISTEN BAR below to learn more about this National Proficiency Award winner from Oklahoma.
Our exclusive coverage from the 2012 National FFA Convention in Indianapolis is a service of the Oklahoma FFA Association and the Oklahoma FFA Alumni Association. Click here for more information about this youth organization. FFA makes 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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