Untitled

Agricultural Proficiency Winners continued
Emerging Agricultural
Technology –
Entrepreneurship/
Placement
Taylor Kade Runyan – Oklahoma
As the daughter of a science teacher and
rancher, it seemed natural for Taylor Kade
Runyan of the Atoka FFA Chapter in Oklahoma
to combine the fields of science and
agriculture for her SAE. Working at the
OSU Research Center in Lane allowed her
to do so, as she completed fruit and vegetable
research using agricultural technology.
She has learned selective plant breeding
techniques and lab maintenance procedures.
She is supported by FFA advisors
Bart and Michelle Harper.
This award is sponsored by Ag Leader Technology
and BASF.
Environmental Science
and Natural Resources –
Entrepreneurship/
Placement
Marshall Michael Bennett III – Georgia
Marshall Michael Bennett III of the
Lowndes FFA Chapter in Georgia knows
first-hand the environmental consequences
of fitting more cattle on less land. When
his family did so and their cattle gained
access to two wetlands, they faced a significant
pollution problem that Bennett has
sought to correct through his SAE. Bennett
installed over a mile of fencing and more
than seven acres of riparian buffer strips to
control erosion and filter incoming water.
He is supported by FFA advisors James
Corbett, Quinton Hadsock and Spence
Taylor.
This award is sponsored by Triscuit.
Equine Science –
Entrepreneurship
Justin Goodlett – Kentucky
For Justin Goodlett of the Spencer County
FFA Chapter in Kentucky, raising and showing
horses isn’t just a hobby, it’s a way of
life. He grew up watching his father show
and trade horses and today follows in those
footsteps with four Tennessee Walking
horses of his own. In addition to learning
about horse vaccinations, nutrition and
general care, he has begun his own farrier
business. Goodlett has had the continued
encouragement of his advisors Darryl
Matherly and Bland Baird.
This award is sponsored by Keystone Steel and
Wire Company - Red Brand and Land O’Lakes
Purina Feed.
Equine Science – Placement
Katherine Alyssa Dreier – Wisconsin
Katherine Alyssa Dreier of the Wisconsin
Heights FFA Chapter in Wisconsin got
her first job working with horses when her
English teacher recommended her to a
local horse farm owner. Since then, she has
worked at four different stables, each allowing
her a new way to experience the equine
industry she loves. Dreier has worked with
the foaling process, training horses and
recommending food rations and feed supplements
for the horses in her care. She is
supported by her FFA advisor Kim Houser.
This award is sponsored by Nutrena - Cargill
Animal Nutrition and Tractor Supply Company.
Fiber and/or Oil
Crop Production –
Entrepreneurship/
Placement
Vance Carter Zacharias – North Dakota
When his uncle began eyeing retirement,
Vance Carter Zacharias of the Enderlin FFA
Chapter jumped at the opportunity to buy
his 393 acres of prime North Dakota farmland.
For two growing seasons, he’s done it
all by himself – with plenty of advice provided
by his experienced father and uncle.
He sets goals before each planting concerning
the profitability margin and yield. This
last season, Zacharias easily surpassed his
own goals. He is supported by his FFA advisor
Bob Moller.
This award is sponsored by Bunge North
America and Cargill.
Floriculture –
Entrepreneurship/
Placement
Lovlean Purewal – California
The moment that Lovlean Purewal of the
Caruthers FFA Chapter in California saw
a bride’s reaction to her wedding flowers,
she knew that floral design was for her. She
began small, making corsages and boutonnieres
but eventually found herself creating
floral designs for weddings and other large
events. Purewal has learned to work with
1 9