By Steve White swhite@nebraska.tv
"Farmers don't like to chop ice in the winter," the salesman says to a client.
If it sounds like Blake Chramosta knows a thing or two about watering cattle in the winter, he does. His family raises cattle, and so does his friend Seth and they've both been busy calving.
"It's really cold," Seth Olson said.
Blake added, "Have to make sure you have coat zipped up."
The sales pitch is only a test, part of a career development event sponsored by FFA.
Mitch Bredthauer, an ag educator at Ord High School said, "We're giving kids a real work feel of a sales situation."
This contest held in Grand Island this week proves FFA is more than just cows and plows.
"Anything from welding to floriculture to nursery landscaping to ag sales," Bredthauer explained.
The team from Ord has been studying livestock as they identify anatomy and cuts of meat.
Taylor Hornickel said, "It covers everything from breeds to parts of the animal, feeds and equipment, have to know a lot about everything."
"A lot of it is basic information we all know from the farm but we study too," Cody Dvorak said.
Jordyn Knight explained, "Doing competition can be challenging but it's also fun to do them."
Business is a big emphasis as kids sell in teams and one-on-one, learning skills that'll help them if they're buying or selling.
Blake Chramosta put his client at ease showing he's already learned a thing or two on the family farm near Ravenna.
"Working on the farm teaches you so many things," he said, saying it's taught him hard work and responsibility.
The state FFA convention is next month at not only the University of Nebraska in Lincoln, but for the first time ever events in Grand Island at the state fairgrounds.
If you would like to nominate a farm youth for our monthly honor, send an email to news@nebraska.tv.
