Agricultural Mechanics—Repair & Maintenance Entrepreneurship/Placement, State Sponsors—Carhart
Working at a local pivot dealer near his home in Nebraska, Shickley FFA member Conley Straight gained significant technical expertise, customer service and business communication skills.  Following a tornado that produced substantial damage to area irrigation systems, Straight had the unique opportunity to inventory repairs and assess loss as part of the insurance claims process.

Ag Processing—Entrepreneurship/Placement, State Sponsor—Omaha Agri-Business Club and Lincoln Agribusiness Club
Learning meat fabrication from experience at a country store, Bloomfield FFA member Jeremiah Bertschinger gathered expertise in business management, wholesale and retail cuts of meat.  He exceeded his S-A-E goal to increase specialty meat sales at the store by 5% annually.

Ag Sales—Entrepreneurship, State Sponsor—Monsanto
Running homemade jam and jelly enterprise “Jasey’s Jams,” Lakeview FFA member Jasey Goedeken created an enterprise focused on selling a niche quality products. By learning to market her open kettle jams and jellies successfully, Goedeken expanded sales by nearly five times initial order levels. 

Beef Production—Placement, State Sponsor—Nebraska Cattleman
Wisner-Pilger FFA member Jeffery Schroeder works with cattle in all phases at a commercial feedlot. To his benefit, Schroeder’s S-A-E gave him a head start in this area through exposure to the
operation’s modern technologies that include computerized ration mixing and electronic animal tracking.

Diversified Crop Production—Placement, State Sponsor—Nebraska Independent Crop Consultants Association
After spending many years helping on his family’s farm in Nebraska, Stuart FFA member Joshua Olberding decided to gain additional experience at a large neighboring operation. Helping to manage more than five different crops from popcorn to alfalfa, Olberding had to quickly absorb and apply the varied practices that relate to each product.

Equine Science—Entrepreneurship, State Sponsor—First National Bank, Lincoln
Raising, breeding and selling horse on a Nebraska ranch, Wheeler Central FFA Member Jessie Qualm has gained confidence and knowledge in managing a 500-head herd of broodmares and saddle horses. Applying her equine skills to raise the value of her foals nearly three times their original price, she has also used sound advertising and strategic marketing techniques to promote her business.

Fiber and/or Oil Crop Production—Entrepreneurship/Placement, State Sponsor—Nebraska Soybean Board and Nebraska Soybean Association
Managing 27 acres of soybeans, Pierce FFA member Adam Venteicher started his own crop two years ago. He has continued to increase his yield while performing all labor from planting to combining.

Small Animal Production and Care—Entrepreneurship/Placement, State Sponsor—Nebraska FFA Foundation
Franklin FFA member Derrick Rocker started his business with three Bichon Frise dogs and has since expanded to include Italian Greyhounds as well. He does such a good job caring for the animals and advertising for them in newspapers and on the Internet, that he is able to regularly sell them before they are four months old.