2004
Hello, my name is Amanda Beatty, and I like, no, I love chickens. For as long as I can remember I have spent time thinking about obtaining chickens, raising them, selling eggs, and selling some specialty breeds of birds. While I spent much time thinking about it, I did not know how to reach my goal. For a young person it seemed so complicated.
I tried to get into the poultry business, but failed every time. I lost all my birds and never got to sell an egg. Money, money, and more money went down the drain until I finally said, "I'm not trying anymore." To be successful I would need a place to put my chickens, I would have to have adequate fencing to keep them in, and I would need shelter to protect them from predators. My love for, and dream of, producing poultry was fading and then I began my 8th grade year at Rock Creek High School, enrolled in agriculture education, and discovered the FFA.
Progressing through my 8th grade year I had the chance to learn about all the FFA opportunities that are available for me and anyone else interested in pursuing them. What types of opportunities exist in the FFA, you might ask. Things like improving one's communication skills by participating in Public Speaking as I am doing today, working to improve a person's leadership skills by serving as an FFA officer on the local, state, and national levels. Caring for, breaking, and training various types of livestock for exhibition. Another FFA opportunity that catches my eye is the scholarships offered to students majoring in agriculture. In addition to the financial assistance provided by the various colleges and universities, the National FFA Association sponsors scholarships in excess of 2 million dollars each year to its members. That's how much the FFA cares about a student's education.
Through my 8th grade agriculture class I realized how many jobs, either directly or indirectly, are involved with agriculture and how many career options there are available for young people interested in this field. From butcher to salesman, from teacher to scientist, from producer to inspector, the list of opportunities is endless.
While I have enjoyed learning about agriculture animals, FFA trivia, and how to weld, my agriculture education class has taught me much, much more. By participating in my local FFA chapter I am developing the skills that I will need to be successful for the rest of my life. I'm learning how to set goals and prioritize my time, improving my ability to communicate, both orally and in writing, team-working, and developing friendships and establishing a network of associates that will serve me as I progress through school and beyond. You see, the FFA has broadened my understanding of both agriculture and life in general, exposing me to various opportunities that are available to me.
Almost two years have passed now, and as my dream of producing poultry was fading as I started in the FFA, it has been rekindled as my understanding of agriculture has been expanded. I have completed the needed house and fencing for my poultry project and have ordered a batch of newly hatched Araucanas.
Now, you might be wondering how I'm going to finance my chickens and you're probably wondering what Araucanas are. When I decided that I wanted chickens to lay eggs and breed I was faced with several hard decisions. I was on a "fixed" income because I'm not old enough to drive or have a job, therefore I couldn't buy chickens that cost a lot or that didn't lay very well.
There were several breeds I had in mind. I knew I would have to narrow this list down so I made a list of qualifications that one of these breeds would ultimately have to meet. I was going to buy leghorns but this breed was too wild and they produced white eggs. Farm-fresh eggs are thought of as having "color" to them. I thought I might settle with Barred Rocks or New Hampshire Reds, but then I decided that they cost too much for all the better layers they were.
I finally decided that I would go with Araucanas because they are a medium-sized breed that doesn't eat much and they lay colored eggs. Their eggs can vary from light brown to blue or green. It is also believed that their eggs are healthier to eat than other eggs. You might be thinking, "What could make one egg healthier than another egg?" The answer is simple. Scientist say there are two different kinds of cholesterol, good and bad. Araucana eggs simply have less bad cholesterol and more good cholesterol in them than other eggs.
What seemed so far out of reach before is now just weeks away. As my poulty project grows so will I by accepting responsibilities, developing my marketing plan, and working hard. I look back just a year ago and see what situation I was in and then I look to the future and see what a promising life is before me. FFA, thank you for providing the opportunities that have and will continue to change my life for the better.
That was my FFA Opportunities Speech that I gave this past spring...Amanda...04-06-04
2004
2003
2002
