Bourbon County FFA in Paris, Ky., is known for its exceptional greenhouse sale. When FFA members asked if they could sell handmade goods during the greenhouse sale hours, Tara Poe, the chapter’s advisor, welcomed the idea for them to begin ownership and entrepreneurship supervised agricultural experience (SAE) projects.
During the first year this opportunity was available, Bourbon County FFA member Annabella Bengie sold homemade dog treats in the greenhouse. However, it was challenging because the room was so warm her products melted.
“It wasn’t very practical to have everything in the greenhouse,” Poe says. “Annabella had to keep going back and forth from my fridge in the classroom to putting her dog treats out for sale. I kept thinking it would be cool for us to have a separate space.”
Poe applied for a Kentucky FFA Foundation Ag Innovation Grant to transform a run-down shed on the school grounds into a space for her students to run their businesses. After being selected for the grant, the chapter used funds to lay a new floor, add wall paneling to make the space food-safe and install refrigerators. A doorbell was also added so customers could signal students in the ag classroom to help with their purchases.
The Bourbon County FFA Chapter’s Ag Marketplace serves as a hub for members’ ownership and entrepreneurship SAE projects.
The newly renovated shed, located steps from the classroom, was named the Ag Marketplace and has become an entrepreneurship hub for the chapter.
Supporting Student Businesses
Since its opening in 2023, the school started offering agribusiness pathway classes. Thanks to these courses, many students and FFA members have pursued, launched or expanded their own businesses. These include:
- Annebella Bengie, who’s expanded her dog treat business with the added storage capacity of the marketplace. With the new refrigerators, her treats now stay in prime condition for interested customers.
- Kenzie McCarthy, who began making hand soap with locally sourced ingredients including goat’s milk and fresh flowers. In the future, she plans to begin making dog soaps.
- Carollynn Tucker, a senior FFA member who transitioned her COVID-19 pandemic hobby of making jewelry into a business called Carollynn’s Creations. She’s also launching another entrepreneurial business that includes raising Koi fish in a stock tank and selling them at the marketplace.
“You don’t have to grow up or live on a farm to be in agriculture,” Tucker says. “All three of us come from different backgrounds, but we paved our own paths and believe anyone can be involved in agriculture.”
Open for Business
The Ag Marketplace is open during school hours on Monday through Friday and one weekend per month. Students are responsible for the day-to-day operations of the marketplace, including managing the point-of-sale system, cleaning and restocking.
Bourbon County FFA members in Kentucky are learning the ins and outs of owning and managing their respective businesses.
These budding business owners also receive a monthly check that includes their profits from selling items in the marketplace. Beyond generating an income, they’re also applying practical life skills and pursuing unique passions.
“We don’t really learn about how to write checks and manage expenses in other classes,” Tucker adds. “This really helps us do that.”
Avenues for Growth
If you’re looking to level up your SAE, consider applying for National FFA SAE grant funding. Kentucky FFA members and advisors, check out the Ag Innovation Grant program.
