Youth News
Meet Your National Proficiency Award Winner in Environmental Science and Natural Resources- Garrett Sharp, Waukomis FFA
Sat, 02 Nov 2013 07:23:11 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 2013, Oklahoma has advanced and brought to Louisville 20 National Proficiency 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 7 National Proficiency Titles, the most of any state. Ohio was second with six National Proficiency titles and Georgia was third with five. In 2012, Oklahoma FFA members earned 8 National Proficiency Awards.
The 2013 National Proficiency award in Environmental Science and Natural Resources has been awarded to Garrett Sharp of the Waukomis FFA Chapter.
While working on his uncle's farm, Garrett Sharp of the Waukomis FFA chapter began thinking about conservation practices that would preserve the farm's natural resources. Working with the Natural Resources Conservation Service, he learned to develop a total resource management plan, complete with established grassed waterways, removing invasive cedar trees, construction of water diversion control structures and more. Sharp is supported by parents Janelle and Gary and FFA advisor Jarrod Johnson.
Farm Director Ron Hays talked with Sharp about his Supervised Ag Enterprise after he received the National award on stage in Louisville at the 86th annual FFA Convention. You can hear that Interview by clicking on the LISTEN BAR below.
Our exclusive coverage from the 2013 National FFA Convention in Louisville 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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