Agricultural News
Meet the National Proficiency Winner in Vegetable Production-Entrepreneurship/Placement-Allison Slagell of Weatherford
Fri, 26 Oct 2012 15:37:13 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.
The 2012 National Proficiency Award in Vegetable Production - Entrepreneurship/Placement goes to Allison Lynn Slagell of the Weatherford, Oklahoma, FFA chapter.
Slagell works with her father and brother on the family farm, growing and marketing commodity and vegetable crops. Included in the operation are 350 acres of irrigated chip potatoes for Frito Lay and Allen's, 475 acres of spinach for Allen's that will be canned, 225 acres of collards and other greens for canning and 20 acres of pumpkins for farmer's markets in Oklahoma City. Slagell is pursuing a degree in agriculture communications. She is supported by her parents Candace and Dennis and her FFA advisor David Hoy.
Slagell said her family farm started as a wheat and cattle operation like most of their neighbors, but her family likes to think outside the box. She says they took advantage of ample irrigation opportunities and established themselves as a successful specialty vegetable operation.
Click on the LISTEN BAR below to learn more about this National Proficiency Award winnner 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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