Youth News
Meet Your 2022 National Proficiency Award Winner in Beef Production- Luke Gallagher of Altus FFA
Sun, 30 Oct 2022 13:28:14 CDT
Two Oklahoma FFA Members brought home National Championships in the Agricultural Proficiency Awards as they were announced at the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis during the final week of October.
Luke Gallagher of the Altus FFA Chapter in Oklahoma began his supervised agricultural experience by purchasing 15 cows and two bulls, raising the calves, and selling them. He applied to the U.S. Department of Agriculture Beginning Farmer Program in 2021, helping him purchase 320 acres and 361 backgrounded stocker-steers. Knowing that he bears for the financial responsibility for this operation has elevated his interest in market forces, costs, expenses, and management practices.
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 47 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.
The awards were given out in Indianapolis during the 95th National FFA Convention & Expo, with the winners announced during onstage ceremonies in several of the General Sessions at Lucas Oil Stadium
After receiving the national championship award- Luke talked with FFA broadcast intern Laura Wuebker about the contest and his success. Listen to Luke Gallagher by clicking on the link below.
Luke Gallagher was one of more than 2,000 Oklahoma FFA members that were a part of the National FFA Convention and Expo in Indianapolis the last week of October. Learn more about Oklahoma FFA by clicking here for the state association website.
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