Missouri FFA News Releases

COLUMBIA , Mo., April 16, 2009 – Aaron Powell, of the Koshkonong FFA Chapter, West Plains, Mo., was named the first place winner of the Landscape Management Proficiency Award at the 81^st Missouri FFA Convention.

Powell, a graduate from Oregon-Howell R-III High School, is the son of Donald and Connie Powell. His FFA advisor is Lynn Woolever.

As a member of the Koshkonong FFA chapter, Powell was awarded with the Star Senior Accomplishment Award. He also participated in the Green Industry Conference in Kentucky . He was a member of the Plant-Professional Landscape Network. He competed at the district level in the landscaping and turfgrass career development event during high school.

Powell began his Supervised Agricultural Experience in landscape management using someone else’s equipment. He started doing lawn mowing jobs for many citizens in his community. He sent out fliers and commercials on the radio to promote his landscaping business. After one year of work he purchased his own equipment.

Powell attends Ozark Technical College and continues to perform his landscaping business.

Proficiency awards recognize FFA members who excel as agricultural entrepreneurs, employees or volunteers while gaining hands-on career experience. Landscape Management is one of 47 proficiency awards presented at the state level. The Missouri Landscape and Nursery Association sponsors this award.

The Missouri FFA Association has 24,410 members representing 317 chapters. The national organization has more than 507,000 members representing 7,439 local chapters in 50 states, Puerto Rico, Guam and the Virgin Islands .

The FFA Mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education.

-END-