Every year across the country FFA students conduct Supervised Agricultural Experiences (SAE) in order to put into practice what they learn at school. These SAE’s take a lot of dedication and hard work outside of the school day, and students who chose to conduct one are expected to work independently on their SAE. As students complete their high school career they may apply to receive their State FFA Degree, and they may also submit their degree to receive other awards.
This year Frankie Snider received her State Degree, Area Star Farmer Degree and the State Equine Entrepreneurship Proficiency Award at State Convention that took place at Virginia Tech from June 19 to June 26. The Area Star Farmer Degree recognizes that Frankie had the best overall SAE in the Appalachian Area in the area of production agriculture. This is one of the most competitive areas as it includes all SAE’s that pertain to any form of livestock production or crop production or greenhouse production. It is also very difficult as it requires students to actually own their own production operation as opposed to being employed by another. These students are performing one of the more traditional forms of agriculture that is still heavily prevalent in the state of Virginia. The State Equine Entrepreneurship Proficiency recognizes that Frankie ran the best horse related operation in the state of Virginia.
Frankie started out at a young age showing saddlebred horses. Very quickly she became passionate about the industry, and knew she wanted to pursue a career in horses. The first leg of her operation began as a show horse operation with the goal of showing horses to add value and reselling them at a profit. Her family actively helped her achieve her goal. As she got older, she added a broodmare operation to her SAE in order to train and sell foals. She has worked very closely with trainer Andre Fourie to improve her knowledge and skills both in showing and training. Along the way she also buys and sells cattle in order to sustain her horse operations as they get started. She has learned that turnaround on profit with horses takes longer than other livestock.
In addition to her SAE, Frankie spent much time as an active member of the Giles FFA competing in various Career Development Events and serving as an officer. She completed her time at Giles as the chapter President, and she was also able to place seventh in the state employment skills contest at FFA State Convention.
Frankie truly exhibits passion and drive in the agriculture industry, and these awards recognize all her hard work. She plans to continue her trek into the agriculture industry as she started her first semester this fall in the Agriculture Tech program at Virginia Tech, and she is a strong representative of the future of our agriculture industry.
-Submitted by Frankie Snider
