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National Champion Small Animal Production and Care Proficiency

National Champion Small Animal Production and Care Proficiency

by: Kate Taylor-Anna FFA Advisor/Ag Science Teacher

At the Fourth General Session of the 97th National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, Presley Merritt was announced as the 2024 Small Animal Production and Care Proficiency National Champion. The National Proficiency Award Program seeks to recognize the growth and development of students through their Supervised Agriculture Experiences (SAEs). These students set goals for themselves to learn by doing as they do everything from raising animals or crops, conducting research experiments, starting and running businesses, or interning at existing businesses. As a National Finalist, Presley was also given the opportunity to speak on the Student Showcase Stage to tell members from across the country about her project and help inspire them to develop their own projects.

To be the National Champion, Presley completed an application that documented the growth and development of her project over the years and participated in a virtual interview with ag teachers and industry professionals. Through her hard work and dedication, she was able to turn a fun rabbit project into a profitable business and be recognized on stage as a National Champion.

Presley started the Back a Bit Rabbitry with two velveteen lop breeding rabbits back in middle school. Now, she has grown the project to 17 breeding rabbits and is the Youth Board Member for the Velveteen Lop Breed Association. Through her rabbitry, she has had to learn about business and marketing, animal health, and genetics to develop a successful enterprise. She has become an expert in evaluating rabbits and has helped develop the Standard of Perfection for the American Rabbit Breeders Association to hopefully make the Velveteen Lop an officially recognized rabbit breed.