MANHATTAN, Kan. – Two members of the Chapman FFA Chapter were recognized May 28 for having some of the best career development programs in the state at the 87th Kansas FFA Convention.

Brittany Duer and Stone Hayden earned State FFA Proficiency Awards for outstanding accomplishments they have made in developing programs that will prepare them for careers in agriculture. Their advisers are Jack Burwell,Trenton Horn and Brandon Roth.

Duer received her award in Nursery Operations, sponsored by Turner Flowers LLC. Hayden’s award is in Diversified Horticulture, sponsored by Hummert International.

The proficiency award program recognizes students for exceptional accomplishments and excellence in a Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) program. This program allows students to set goals and gain real-world experience in a chosen area of the agriculture industry.

Brittany’s SAE began with taking a horticulture class which sparked her interest in nursery. She then began to work in her chapter’s nursery and was eventually hired by Proscape, Inc. Through these opportunities, she has learned how to interpret chemical labels; identify trees, shrubs, weeds, diseases and pests; how to administer irrigation; and how to manage financial records. She plans on pursuing a career in the agricultural industry. Brittany is the daughter of Chad Duer and Christal Ade.

Stone’s SAE is his ownership of a landscape business. He started off mowing neighbors’ lawns, but he then expanded his business to become a cemetery groundskeeper. As he gained additional skills and experiences, his client base grew to other cemeteries, banks and a YMCA. Stone’s skill set has expanded into planting trees and shrubs, installing landscape beds and pruning trees. He plans on entering the landscaping industry professionally as a maintenance technician or installer for a progressive nursery and landscaping company. Stone is the son of Ted and Joan Hayden.

(Story Courtesy of Kansas FFA Association)