Missouri FFA News Releases

Elizabeth Holle State Winner 2009 Missouri FFA Small Animal Production and Care Entrepreneurship and Placement Proficiency Award

COLUMBIA , Mo., April 16, 2009 – Elizabeth Holle of the Columbia FFA Chapter, Columbia, Mo., was named the state winner of the FFA Small Animal Production and Care Entrepreneurship and Placement Award at the 81^st Missouri FFA Convention.

Holle, a senior at the Columbia Career Center High School, is the daughter of Mike and Julie Holle. Her FFA advisors are Chuck Miller, Kevin Duncan and Larry Henneke.

As an FFA member, Holle attended State and National FFA conventions. In 2007, she was awarded Third high Individual District Dairy Career Development Event and Group 1 Individual State Dairy CDE. Her activities involve Boone County 4H Queen in 2006, 2006 Top Junior Handler of the Standard Schnauzer Club of America. Holle was a National Honor Society Member and Missouri State Fair dog show committee member.

Holle enrolled in the 4H dog project at the age of 8. Participating in the American Kennel Club Junior Showmanship program, Holle competed in the AKC Dog Shows after train her male Chinese Crested. At age 16 she began working as an apprentice at Greenridge Farms Kennel showing an average of 20 dogs a weekend throughout the year. From working with multiple dog handlers, Holle has developed many skills such as time management, dealing with clients, money management and bookkeeping. Holle has shown dogs in some of the Country’s top dog shows including the Westminster Dog Show.

Her future plans include attending college, studying agricultural business. Someday owning her own business, kennel and being professional dog handler.

Proficiency awards recognize FFA members who excel as agricultural entrepreneurs, employees or volunteers while gaining hands-on career experience. Small Animal Production and Care Entrepreneurship and Placement is one of 47 proficiency awards presented at the state level. The Missouri FFA Association of Jefferson City, Mo. sponsored this award.

The Missouri FFA 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.

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