2011 Proceedings - National FFA Organization

agrI-enTrepreneurs HonoreD
The Agri-Entrepreneurship Awards honor FFA members who recognize market opportunities and develop solid business plans, which
capitalize on them. Awards are available at the chapter, state and national levels. All Agri-Entrepreneurship Award applicants received
a rating of bronze, silver, gold or national winner. Ten National Agri-Entrepreneurship Award winners are selected annually. Each winner
receives a $1,000 award and is recognized onstage during the national FFA convention. The winners’ projects are also featured in a
booth at the National FFA Agricultural Career Show. The winners’ FFA chapters also receive a $500 grant to help them promote entrepreneurship
in their agriculture programs. The Agri-Entrepreneurship Program is sponsored by USDA Rural Development as a special
project of the National FFA Foundation.
Jason’s Free range Poultry
name: Jason Mendes
Age: 17
chapter: Modesto ffa
Parents: John and Heidi Mendes
Advisor: scott layne
When Jason Mendes watched Food Inc.
in his history class during his sophomore
year, it made him stop and think. Seeing
the need for more organically produced
agriculture products, he asked his advisor
what it would take to launch a free-range
poultry project. After spending much time
researching regulations and meeting with
the Modesto Junior College poultry instructor,
Mendes realized it would be possible
and very popular, as many people were
interested in all-natural, free-range birds.
Finding a new passion, he began his
new career in earnest. He worked with
the local feed and supply store
to get the feeders, waters, bedding
and feed. He then worked
with his father on building an
adequate pen and house that fit
his standards. With everything in
place, he bought his first batch of
chicks.
“I knew I had a path to pursue
and something I enjoyed doing
with a passion that drove me to reach
nothing less than success,” Mendes said.
Mendes raises his birds on his parents’
property. They’re raised without any antibiotics
and fed a ration that contains no
unnatural additives.
Along with raising poultry, Mendes
takes a key interest in marketing. He
has targeted those who have an interest
in buying local produces and works
old Homestead soaps & lotions
name: ashley siferd
Age: 19
“I realized this could be a
chapter: Cory-rawson ffa
unique way to expand my goat
Parents: Jamie and Teresa siferd
business, and I liked the idea
Advisor: lindsey regula
that it could help people,” she
said.
When Ashley Siferd of Bluffton, Ohio, began After making a few batches
raising goats, she soon discovered that she of soaps and lotions, Siferd went
had extra goat’s milk that didn’t have a use. to the local farmers market. She
Not wanting to waste anything, she began didn’t sell much product at first
to research what options might be available but after handing out samples
to her to maximize this product.
and creating a website, her cus-
She soon discovered that the milk was tomer base began to grow.
a perfect fit for natural soaps and lotions. “When someone calls me at home
After some research, Siferd learned that and says they have heard about my prod-
people used goat milk soap for health uct from someone else, I know that Old
benefits, such as treating psoriasis.
Homestead Soaps and Lotions has had
It was with this discovery that her busi- an impact on the community,” Siferd said.
ness, Old Homestead Soaps and Lotions, “I have repeat customers and they tell me
was created.
that my soaps or lotions have healed a
2 Believe Proceedings 2011
diligently in marketing his product in such
a way that the public understands the
advantages of his product. He is currently
working on creating a label that can be
put on his poultry.
Currently a senior at Modesto High
School, Mendes plans to attend Modesto
Junior College and major in agriculture
business. He plans to continue his business
and expand.
minor skin problem for them. I feel that I
have made an impact on the community
when I heard these comments from my
satisfied customers.”
Siferd plans to obtain a business
degree from the University of Northwestern
and continue to expand her
business.