Missouri FFA News Releases

Emily Borgmann First Place Winner of 2009 Missouri FFA Diversified Horticulture Proficiency Award

COLUMBIA , Mo., April 16, 2009 –Emily Borgmann, of the Steelville FFA Chapter, Steelville, Mo., was named the first place winner in the FFA Diversified Horticulture Proficiency Award at the 81^stMissouri State FFA Convention.

Borgmann is a senior at Steelville High School, daughter of Rick and Sharon Borgmann. Her FFA advisors are Rick Borgmann and Jamie Gross.

As a member of the Steelville FFA Chapter, Borgmann has participated in the National FFA Convention where she participated in the Courtesy Corp, State Convention, and ranked at the state level in Poultry CDE.

Outside of FFA, Borgmann participated in math and science club, has been on the honor roll. Borgmann has also served as her class secretary as well as 4-H secretary.

Borgmann began her Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) program working for her neighbor mowing yards and taking care of shrubs and trees. Borgmann then started her own small horticulture business where she worked for local town businesses. A local farmer contacted her to come and landscape all of his land for a summer. Borgmann also conducts soil tests for her clients so they can know how much and what type of fertilizers is needed for their yards.

Borgmann plans on maintaining her business while in high school. After she graduates, she plans to attend college to learn more about the landscaping business and field.

Proficiency awards recognize FFA members who excel as agricultural entrepreneurs, employees or volunteers while gaining hands-on career experience. Diversified Horticulture is one of 47 proficiency awards presented at the state level.

The Missouri FFA Association sponsored this award.

The Missouri FFA has 24,410 members representing 317 chapters. The national organization has more than 507,000 member 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 to premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education.