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Dennis Murphy

For the students, by the students

CAFNR Boasts National FFA Award Recipient
Elizabeth Schilling, Reporter, CAFNR Corner Post

Dec. 7, 2003-It was my pleasure to interview Jana Thies. She won the FFA award in Agricultural Sales Entrepreneurship Proficiency in Louisville, Ky. on Nov. 1, 2003. She is a sophomore, double majoring in Ag Economics and Ag Education Leadership and Communication. She belongs to Lead Mizzou, Kappa Kappa Gamma Sorority, and Mizzou FFA Alumni. When I asked her what her favorite class is, she said, "Ag Ed 250 Personal Leadership Development because leadership means a lot. The way Dr. Terry has structured the class really helps me learn and I love the material."

Thies not only received a proficiency award at national convention, but also won a trip to Costa Rica this summer, sponsored by the National FFA. I asked her who was the person who most influenced her in her FFA career and she stated, "My dad, Jim Thies. He was my agriculture advisor through high school. I went to high school in Glasgow and he is the agriculture teacher there. He grew up on a farm but he doesn't farm now, he teaches all the agriculture courses at the high school."

Thies's FFA application for the award was based on a business that she has with her sister Deanna Thies, age 22. "My sister was in high school before me and this was initially her FFA project and when I started high school I needed a project so it seemed natural for me to take over her project. Our business is called the Veggie Patch. We have approximately 7 acres on which we plant vegetables such as radishes, sweet corn, tomatoes, squash and pumpkins. We sell our produce at the Boone County Farmer's Market, usually on Saturdays," Thies said.

I asked Thies how the prices at the Farmer's Market compared with the prices at the grocery stores and she stated, "Sometimes the prices are higher, sometimes lower and sometimes the same. It depends on the market. The biggest reason people come to the Farmer's Market is because they are guaranteed that the vegetables and products are of fresh quality and grown locally. In order to sell at the Farmer's Market, the products must be grown in Boone County or an adjacent county. If there is any doubt that the product is not being produced locally by the producer, that person's farm can be subject to a farm visit."

Her best business memory is this summer when due to her dad and sister's schedules, they were unable to assist her in the business. It tested her ability to be able to run the business in every aspect on her own. She was able to run the business alone and this boosted her confidence. When I asked her about her biggest business worry, she replied, "The weather. When there is a draught or it rains too much, I freak out."

She is excited about winning the trip to Costa Rica. She will spend approximately 10 days in Costa Rica touring farms, meeting local farmers, visiting Earth College, and white water rafting. Thies said she was interested in seeing coffee bean production since it is not something we do in Missouri. The only cost to her for the trip is her plane ticket from St. Louis to Miami.

I asked Thies, what is the most exciting part of going to the FFA Convention and she stated, "The atmosphere. It is overwhelming. There were approximately 50,000 people there. People were from all different states. You get to meet so many interesting people. It was fun to meet and talk to other people about their ideas. For example, the other girl in my category was developing a new type of parakeet food."

Her future plan after graduation is to get into the legislative and policy making aspects of agricultural business. She believes that her FFA experience and her education at MU will enable her to realize these goals. She is hopeful that her business experience with the Veggie Patch and growing up in a rural community has given her the combination that will enable her to actualize these goals because she "has a lot of ideas and understands the hardships that those in the agricultural and rural segments of society face."

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