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Agricultural Proficiency Winners continued
Grain Production–
Placement
Aaron Patrick Prins – Illinois
Aaron Patrick Prins of the Geneseo FFA
Chapter in Illinois has joined a family farming
operation that has thrived since the
1880s. He has focused his energies on
strengthening the farm’s corn production.
He has worked with all aspects of the business:
seedbed preparation, seed selection,
biotechnology, scouting, spraying and
harvesting. To learn more about this industry
he loves, Prins will study production
agriculture at college. Eventually, he hopes
to take over the family farm and continue
the legacy started so long ago. He has been
supported by his FFA advisors Brian Stahl
and Doug Nelson.
This award is sponsored by Pioneer Hi-Bred.
Home and/or Community
Development –
Entrepreneurship/
Placement
James Douglas Flatt – Tennessee
With both his parents serving as missionaries,
James Douglas Flatt of the Wilson
Central FFA Chapter in Tennessee has been
inspired to serve others in any way he can.
He has led mission trips to areas hit worst
by Hurricane Katrina where he served on a
chainsaw clean-up crew and helped rebuild
homes in Louisiana. On a more local level,
Flatt has become a member of his county
fair board, volunteering for development
projects that benefit all fair-goers. He has
been supported by his FFA advisors Benny
Joe McDonald and Pam Farmer Walker.
This award is sponsored by Carhartt, Inc.
Landscape Management –
Entrepreneurship/
Placement
Ricky D. Moore – North Carolina
Even though his father owns a landscaping
business, Ricky D. Moore of the West
Rowan FFA Chapter in North Carolina was
never pushed into joining him. But after
seeing what his father does and his passion,
he couldn’t help but develop a shared love
of plants and the aesthetics of the environment.
Moore loves learning new techniques
and methods of the business and in times
of recent economic hardship, has helped
the company work with a tighter budget.
Once he completes college, he will join his
father as an equal partner in the business.
He is supported by his FFA advisors Jason
Chester and Clark Adams.
This award is sponsored by John Deere and
Tractor Supply Company.
Nursery Operations –
Entrepreneurship/
Placement
Joshua Joe Conaway – Oklahoma
Joshua Joe Conaway of the Ringwood
High School FFA Chapter in Oklahoma
started his nursery program in the school
greenhouse. Today, he has diversified his
horticultural endeavors to include raising
water pond plants, ground cover and
bedding plants. He has learned the art of
running a successful nursery, including the
ability to identify weeds and detrimental
insects. Most importantly, Conaway has
derived great passion from his agricultural
experiences. This is something he hopes to
pass on as he studies to become an agriscience
teacher. He is supported by his FFA
advisor Will Bunt.
This award is sponsored by RAM Trucks and
the National FFA Foundation.
Outdoor Recreation –
Entrepreneurship/
Placement
Nicholas W. Peckman – Kansas
As the owner of Twin Bros. Hunting, Nicholas
W. Peckman of the Paola FFA Chapter
in Kansas had the goal of increasing the
profitability of his family’s land without
increasing the acreage. He has accomplished
this through recreational hunting.
Peckman has built food plots, feeders,
established mineral licks and built deer
stands on the land. He leads guided hunts
for deer, turkey and waterfowl. Peckman
has the goal of introducing bear hunts in
the next year. He is supported by FFA advisors
Jeff T. Hines and Josh Evans.
This award is sponsored by Cabela’s and the
National FFA Foundation.
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