FFA Proceedings 2002

Agri-entrepreneurship Awards
10
Sponsored by and in partnership
with the Kauffman Center for
Entrepreneurial Leadership at
the Ewing Marion Kauffman
Foundation as a special project
of the National FFA Foundation.
Seth Braker was one of 10 FFA members recognized for
their entrepreneurial spirit.
Ten FFA members were recognized with the 2002
Agri-Entrepreneurship Award in honor of their
successful business ventures. This program recognizes
members who have started or are planning to
start businesses. Demonstrating strong organization,
self-motivation and personal drive, these
individuals are the models of innovation for
today’s agri-business world and are a true picture of
student success. Entrepreneurial skills are a vital
part of today’s business world and the future of the
agricultural industry. These 10 members represent
a wide array of interests, ranging from a Christmas
tree farm to pickled asparagus sales to landscape
design, showing anyone can be a successful entrepreneur
if they have the dedication and determination
to reach their dreams. Each individual
received $1,000 and was recognized on stage at the
Friday afternoon session. Each individual’s chapter
also received $500 to promote entrepreneurship.
Wesley Belcher of Madison, Ga., owns
and operates Belcher’s Christmas Tree
Farm. Belcher has expanded his business,
which started with about 800
Virginia pines, to include the sale of
Leyland cypress, eastern red cedar and
Carolina sapphire trees. He also sells
fresh wreaths. Belcher’s customers are
the top priority of his business. He
shows this by cutting the selected tree,
removing dead needles, baling the tree
if desired and informing the customer
of proper tree care.
PHOTO BY WALES HUNTER
Seth Braker of Randolph, Wis., owns
and operates Braker Acres Custom
Forage Services. Braker raises and
markets his own hay as well as offering
custom forage services such as
crop scouting and forage testing. He
also cuts, bales, stacks and hauls hay.
He started the business to generate
more cash flow and to pay off the debt
on his equipment. Braker plans to use
the profits from his business as a down
payment for land when he graduates
from college.
Karl Crave of Waterloo, Wis., owns
and operates Crave Painting & Repair,
LLC. The business offers painting,
pressure washing and repair services
for barns, metal buildings and other
structures in south-central Wisconsin.
With a loan from Farm Credit
Services, Crave was able to acquire
the financing needed to start his business.
Not only does the business serve
as a source of income, but Crave has
gained valuable skills such as proficiency
in bidding jobs, managing
employees, handling accounts receivable
and sorting through tax issues.
Neal Ely of Grafton, Neb., owns and
operates Ely Farms, LLC along with
his parents. Starting with a one-quarter
acre planted with asparagus roots
in 1999, Ely now sells his fresh product
to local patrons. Working with the
University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Food
Processing Center, along with the
input of his mom’s expertise, Ely
developed a pickled asparagus product
he also sells. He constructed a commercial
kitchen in which this product
is processed.
Trevor Gottschalk of Kimball, Minn.,
owns and operates T ‘n T Restorations
in partnership with his brother,
Travis. Together, the brothers restore
antique tractors. Both have exceptional
tractor mechanical and restoration
skills that have allowed them to
be successful in their partnership.
Gottschalk restored his first tractor at
the age of 12 and, realizing he had a
knack for the trade, eventually made
an initial investment of $1,000 into
the business. In addition to the original
jobs of short-term ‘fixer up’ tractors,
the brothers now take on more
long-term projects.
Kelly Lynn Howard of Halzelhurst,
Ga., owns and operates Kelly’s Korner
Flower Arrangements. This small
business offers unique floral arrangements,
wreathes and other decorative
items. When planning her business,
Howard started with the purchase of
three large flower coolers and help
from her family on a business plan
and a budget. Howard started the
business with the goal of providing
the community with inexpensive,
quality floral arrangements. It has
ended up being profitable enough to
help pay for her college tuition.
Ben Polzin of Cadott, Wis., owns and
operates Monkey Business Outdoor
Services, a landscape design, installation
and maintenance operation. The
company maintains a greenhouse and
its own stock of landscaping materials.
In the winter, the company offers holiday
decoration and removal services
along with snow removal. About 60
percent of Polzin’s business is residential,
with the other 40 percent being
commercial. Attending the
International Lawn, Garden and
Power Equipment Expo helped Polzin
stay current with industry information.
Heather Savelle of Watkinsville, Ga.,
owns and operates Heather’s Heifers.
She raises replacement dairy heifers for
area farmers under a contract arrangement
on a fee-per-head basis. Savelle
also purchases weaned Holstein heifers
to raise and feed. Her interest in the
dairy industry began on an outing with
her dad in the fourth grade. Savelle
went on to be a successful businesswoman
as she worked on a $5,000
youth loan from the USDA Farm
Service Agency to fund the initial
costs of her company.
Matthew Schmitmeyer of Versailles,
Ohio, owns and operates
Schmitmeyer Hoof Trimming, a dairy
hoofcare business. Attending the
Dairyland Hoofcare Institute in
Wisconsin gave Schmitmeyer the
background and essential information
to launch his business venture. He
owns a portable chute that he takes to
the dairy farms at which he works. In
addition to complete hoofcare maintenance,
he also offers advice, protective
hoof pads and wraps when necessary.
Schmitmeyer has found a need
for this type of service in his area.
This demand has allowed his business
to flourish.
Travis Vine of Granton, Wis., owns
and operates TCR Power Products, a
small engine sales shop and repair
service. Vine’s interest in this business
was sparked by his uncle’s work as a
mechanic. Starting his business as a
high school freshman working out of
his family’s garage, Vine now sells
Brigg & Stratton, Kohler, Tecumseh,
Honda, Kawasaki and Parts
Unlimited. He also provides repair
work on ATVs, lawn mowers, chainsaws,
snowmobiles, small engines and
small farm equipment.