Caytlin Sherman will be competing at the National level with her FFA proficiency from her SAE. This is where they are evaluated on their ability to maintain accurate records and demonstrate growth each year. Those records include the balance sheet, hours, inventory, and assets, among others.
There are three main categories: Entrepreneurship (owning your own business), Placement (working for someone else), and AgriScience Research (conducting agricultural-based scientific experiments). Within each category, there are over 40 areas in which you can apply. Caytlinβs category and area are Beef Production Placement. She works for CKS Farms, where her responsibilities include general care, such as feeding, identifying and treating illnesses, cleaning barns, and bedding.
In addition, Caytlin is highly involved in the reproductive aspect of the beef operation, from selecting sires and dams to breeding using artificial insemination (AI) and calving out all the cows and heifers on her own. She finds out in July if she is a finalist!