During the 91st National FFA Convention, held October 24-27, 2018 in Indianapolis, Manchester FFA member Collin Tennant was named the National winner for his Agricultural Sales Proficiency from his Supervised Agricultural Experience program.
Supervised Agricultural Experience programs, also known as SAE programs, are work-based learning opportunities where Agricultural Education/FFA members employ knowledge and skills learned in the classroom and apply them to real world situations and/ or business practices.
Collin’s SAE program began with him selling 75 pumpkins in his front yard in 2011. His program has grown through the years and in 2017 he sold over 10,000 pumpkins, squash and specialty fall decorative gourds. He also retained over 4,200 hardy mums and in 2018 he opened a second location on highway 31 close to Peru, Indiana. Collin hopes to grow his retail fall decorative business into an agri-tourism business for all ages. In 2018 Collin also began doing fall decorating for residents and businesses in the North Manchester community.
FFA members are able to compete against similar programs through the Proficiency Award program via an application process. Collin’s application competed at the district and state levels of competition in the spring of 2018. At the Indiana FFA State Convention, Tennant was awarded first place; earning the privilege to represent Indiana for the national competition. Applications were scored in July, where his program was ranked in the top four across the nation. As a National Finalist, Tennant completed a rigorous interview during National FFA Convention, solidifying his rank as first place.
Awards were announced during the 6th General Session in Banker’s Life Fieldhouse on Friday, October 26th. Collin’s award was sponsored by Nutrien Ag Solutions and Valent USA Corporation. Gwen Mize is the Agriculture Science and Business instructor and FFA Advisor at Manchester Jr. Sr. High School