Risk Management Agency Program Announcement

Contact: Eric Edgington (202) 690-2539
Eric.Edgington@rma.usda.gov

WASHINGTON, May 1, 2001 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today recognized the ten national winners of the fourth annual FFA Risk Management Strategies Writing Contest. The contest is sponsored by the Risk Management Agency, in cooperation with the FFA and the National Council for Agricultural Education, as a means of making the nation's future farmers aware of ways to manage various risks associated with farming.

The ten winners were chosen from more than 250 entrants. The contest challenges FFA members to apply the principles of risk management to their own personal enterprises in a 500-word essay. Winners and their advisors receive expense-paid trips to Washington, D.C., where they visit USDA, their Congressmen, and the Capitol.

Secretary Veneman, who congratulated the winners, said, "Promoting risk management strategies with our young producers gives them a head start on becoming future farmers and ranchers. This contest provides an opportunity for FFA members to demonstrate their comprehension of risk management principles."

Honored for their outstanding essays were:

• Jennifer Bradley, Grapeland FFA, TX
• Tim Crabtree, Denton FFA, MN
• Devon Dudley, Nettleton FFA, AR
• Nathan Fegley, Berthold FFA, ND
• Jessica Mertens, New Raymer FFA, CO
• Wravenna Phipps, Platte Valley FFA, NE
• Maria Ramsey, Talawanda FFA, OH
• Kory Ruggles, Scranton FFA, ND
• Tami Shannon, Hillsboro FFA, OH
• Drew Sponheim, St. Ansgar, FFA, IA

In addition to receiving awards, the students and their FFA sponsors toured the USDA, the Capitol, and visited Members of Congress. They also met with staff from the House Agriculture Committee to discuss the growing importance of risk management for American agriculture.