1. Agri-Entrepreneurship Award Program An Introduction

2. What is it? Do you have a secret dream to start or own a business? Do you see a market opportunity that has been overlooked by others? Then the Agri-Entrepreneurship Education Program is for you!

3. The Agri-Entrepreneurship Student Awards are designed to recognize FFA members who have successfully planned and/or started agri-enterprises. All FFA members (who have paid their dues) are eligible to compete, including those who have graduated from high school. The award is based on business plan development. Money awards are available at local, state and national levels.

4. What is an agri-enterprise? An agri-enterprise is any business in the agricultural industry which includes production agriculture, food, fiber, the environment and natural resources. All FFA agricultural proficiency award areas qualify, but there may be many others.

5. Guidelines Any FFA member can apply- multiple applications from a chapter are encouraged –Chapter winner designated –Forward all applications to state level –States forward all applications to national level Chapter winner receives certificate, jacket pin and $75-$150 (based on local sponsorship- match is 2:1 from National FFA Foundation and sponsor Kauffman Foundation

6. Guidelines continued Ten national finalist selected –Each finalist receives $1,000 and the chapter of each finalist receives $500 –State award available if state conducts competition (based on number of chapters- $50-$100 awards possible)

7. Twenty examples of past winners! A business that produces and markets crafts made from barn wood A company that produces vegetables, fruits and maple syrup for sale at farm markets A business producing floral crops and arrangements A company using worms to break down compost resulting in fertilizer

8. Owning a specialty hay business for small horse owners. A field scouting service for crop producers A utility trailer sales business A special diets “meals to go” processing/food science enterprise A fabrication company that specializes in building livestock equipment A specialty fruit and vegetable business that markets to the local Asian community

9. A vacation home lawn maintenance business A welding service to area farmers A feedlot cleaning business A relief milking service for area dairy farmers A water analysis business A u-pick strawberry operation Providing livestock and entertainment services to fairs and rodeos

10. Selling insect mounts to agriculture and science departments Operating a small-scale floral shop A lawn maintenance and landscape service WHAT IS YOUR IDEA?

11. Materials & Information Application available on line at www.ffa.org, hardcopy or CD-ROM Application on Microsoft Excel Template (5.0 or greater version) National Staff Technical Assistance –Kevin Keith, Teacher Services Specialist, (317) 802-4254/kkeith@ffa.org –Rosalie Hunsinger, Teacher Services Program Coordinator (317) 802-4255 rhunsinger@ffa.org