TOP AG ENTREPRENEURS CITED

At last month's National FFA Convention, 10 teenagers from seven states were recognized for their innovation in establishing businesses connected to agriculture. Each received $1,000 and a National Agri-Entrepreneurship Award:

Ben Alsum, 18, Cambria, Wis., is a cattle broker. He owns and operates Ben's Bovine Beauties and is known for the high quality of heifers and steers he sells. He knows how to treat cattle himself for minor problems and has worked with a feed consultant to maximize the growth of his animals.

Emily Arkfeld, 17, Dunbar, Neb., owns and operates Hampshire Hill Farm Pork. It produces and sells drug-residue-free Hampshire pork to retailers. She conducts DNA testing of her breeding stock to develop superior genetics for meat quality. She plans to major in animal science in college, get a doctorate and then start a meat research business.

Sierra Enlow, 18, Hodgenville, Ky., owns and operates Enlow Farms, an enterprise that produces goats, sheep and cattle for ethnic markets. By eliminating the middleman, she's been able to make her products cheaper for customers and increase her profits. She also grows pumpkins and sells them to Wal-Mart Corp. Her career goal is to become an environmental lawyer and work in agriculture.

Jasey Goedeken, 19, Columbus, Neb., owns and operates Jasey's Jams, which produces and markets nine varieties of homemade jams and jellies, ranging from traditional raspberry to exotic flavors such as raspberry-kiwi. She sells her products at farmers markets and craft shows, and as an FFA fundraiser. She plans to maintain her business while studying in college to become an elementary teacher.

Ashley Hudson, 18, Hotchkiss, Colo., owns and operates Ashley's Goats Milk Soap, an enterprise that processes goat's milk into beauty products such as soaps, lotions, lip balms and air fresheners. She plans to continue diversifying her business, adding shampoo, conditioners and bath salts. She has sold her products at art fairs, a gift shop, on a Web site and at FFA functions. She wants to become a high school agriculture teacher.

Alison Mebane, 14, Woody, Calif., owns and operates Alison Mebane's Vision, which creates and markets wildflower greeting cards. She works to make them different from other cards by placing a brief story about each of the wildflowers, their botanical use and other facts on the back of each card. Often, she attaches wildflower seeds to the card, too. Her goal is for the cards to become collectors' items that represent the region and its history.

Barry Prather, 18, Guys, Tenn., owns and operates Purebred Boer Goats, an enterprise that produces the pedigreed animals for breeding and meat production. He started the business after recognizing that the demand for meat goats exceeded its supply in the area because the Latino and Middle Eastern population had increased. Barry has become well-known for the high quality of breeding stock he can provide. He's majoring in animal science in college and plans to continue his business while in school and after graduation.

Hollie Scott, 17, Maysville, Mo., owns and operates Grand Paws LLC, an enterprise that grooms and boards dogs and cats from all over the country. She has customers from England, California and Hawaii. Hollie gained a reputation for quality grooming after showing her own dogs in competitions. She's currently expanding the business to a state-of-the-art facility that will house 50 dogs and cats. After high school, she wants to get a degree in veterinary medicine and work in animal pharmaceutical sales.

Chelsey Shouse, 18, Taylorsville, Ky., owns and operates Marie's Erbs, an enterprise that grows fresh herbs to sell to retail customers. Shouse began the business after realizing that local groceries didn't sell fresh herbs, despite a demand for them. She's also begun selling potpourri, tea and recipe cards to complement the herbs. After high school, she plans to pursue a career in pharmacology.

Samantha Williams, 17, Bakersfield, Calif., owns and operates Sammie's Pride Dairy Goat Milk Soap. After noticing the ingredients of specialty soaps, she decided this would be a good way to use her goats' surplus milk. She has experimented with different fragrances, molds and textures. She conducted a two-year experiment that noted the effects of the goats' feed on the smoothness of the soap. She plans to get a college degree in agricultural sales.