Youth News
Meet Anna Crosswhite of Kingfisher FFA Chapter, Your Northwest District Star in Agribusiness
Mon, 24 Apr 2017 05:50:13 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.
We end this week's features of Oklahoma FFA's District Stars in Agribusiness, with Anna Crosswhite of the Kingfisher FFA Chapter, representing the Northwest District. Crosswhite first developed her interest in beekeeping during the 7th grade after reading about the vocation in a book from her school library on self-sufficient farming. Eventually, Crosswhite's interest turned into a practicing hobby when she got her first hive. Now, years later, she has turned it into a steady business.
Today, I actually have 22 hives," she said. "Over the years, I've been lucky enough to get grants for my SAE whether it be from Monsanto or the American Beekeeping Federation. I've used these grants to purchase larger colonies and spent the profits on new equipment."
Crosswhite makes her money beekeeping, selling the honey her bees produce. She says her profits come to her all at once, because she only extracts the honey from the hives once every summer around the end of June. She then sells her honey for $15 a jar.
"This past summer I was able to extract 150 pounds of honey," Crosswhite said. "If it weren't for FFA I'd never have been able to take my small hobby and turn it into a successful business."
Crosswhite says that the marketing aspect of the business is her favorite part. She says this has allowed her to put a bit of her personality into each jar of honey she sells. And she credits the FFA with instilling in her the ability to make her business viable.
"I'm not going to lie, the marketing side is actually my favorite part. It definitely brings out my 8-year-old, selling lemonade personality," she admitted. "But FFA has really taught me to take all of the things I love and actually make them something realistic."
Crosswhite will attend Oklahoma State University's Honor College this fall. Currently, she has not decided on a major to pursue, but says she does plan to continue her beekeeping business.
You can hear her entire conversation with Radio Oklahoma Ag Network 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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