Youth News
Introducing Makenzie Elkins, Your Southeast District Star in Agribusiness of Coalgate FFA Chapter
Wed, 19 Apr 2017 09:38:53 CDT
During the month of April, the Radio Oklahoma Ag Network and Oklahoma Farm Report is spotlighting the twenty District Stars of Oklahoma FFA that are among the highest achievers in the organization. The stars come from the five districts in four categories- Star in Ag Placement, Star in Agriscience, Star in Agribusiness and Star in Production Agriculture. Last week, we spotlighted the five district stars in Agriscience- this week we move on to the Agribusiness Stars for 2017.
Today, we highlight Makenzie Elkins of the Coalgate FFA Chapter, Oklahoma FFA's Southeast District Star in Agribusiness. Elkins has built a very unique niche business among the agricultural community in her region and across neighboring parts of the states.
"I am currently the owner and operator of NBE Shavings," she told Radio Oklahoma Ag Network Farm Director Ron Hays in a recent interview. "I'm a distributor of dry-nest and white pine hancock woodchip shavings."
She explains she got the idea to start her business during an eight-hour road trip to pick up a load of wood shavings for her own use. She, her parents and her ag-ed instructor during the ride were discussing what supervised agricultural experiences (SAE) she could try to do, and that's when the lightbulb flicked on.
"It automatically came up and it stuck," she said, "and I'm glad it did."
Elkins gets her inventory shipped directly to her and prepackaged, all the way from a manufacturer located in Maine, which she met attending the World Pork Expo.
"We were talking to him and it just seemed to fit what I was wanting to do the best way," Elkins said.
Elkins has built her customer base to include fellow FFA students and FFA chapters in neighboring towns and even supplies several feed stores throughout Southeast Oklahoma.
"It's been something different but it's been something exciting to be a part of," she remarked, speaking about her experience growing the business and the lessons she's learned in the process. "You have to be able to take constructive criticism as a teenager with a business."
This year, Elkins is serving her chapter as its president and participates in public speaking events, livestock judging and says she has tried to get involved with as much as she could over the last five years. She plans to attend Oklahoma State University and pursue a degree in Agricultural Communications.
You can hear her entire conversation with Farm Director Ron Hays, by clicking or tapping on the LISTEN BAR below.
A complete list of the District Stars can be seen on the Oklahoma FFA website by clicking or tapping here.
Our salute of the 2017 District Stars of the Oklahoma FFA is brought to you by American Farmers & Ranchers, proud to support Oklahoma's youth. Visit the AFR website by clicking or tapping here to learn more on how AFR supports the young people of Oklahoma, and how AFR can provide you with quality insurance for your home, auto, farm, and life.
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