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PRESS RELEASE
NOVEMBER 2022
Contact: Christine Balint
6675 Cincinnati-Zanesville Road NE
Lancaster, OH 43130
Phone: 740.536.7306 x2671
LANCASTER, OH – The National FFA Convention is a nationwide convention and expo that provides growth opportunities for next-generation leaders. Nathaniel McCandlish, a 2021 graduate of Fairfield Union High School, was named the 2022 National Proficiency Award winner in the area of Turf Grass management at the 6th session of the 95th National FFA Convention.
The agricultural proficiency award honors FFA members who exemplify and develop specialized skills within their supervised agricultural experiences (SAEs) that apply to their future careers. Nathaniel completed his supervised agricultural experience in an entrepreneurship project where he created his own lawn care business, McCandlish Lawn and Landscape. Nathaniel has worked over 1,500 hours and invested the majority of his earnings back into his business. From hiring classmates to earning LLC status, Nathaniel has worked diligently to make his business sustainable and profitable. Nathaniel is currently pursuing a degree in Turf Grass Management to continue his career in the industry. Nathaniel's score was calculated based on a rigorous application and interview process. Nathaniel is the second ever winner of a National Proficiency Award for the Fairfield Union FFA chapter. Gary Lee Whittington was the first national proficiency winner in 1966 with his Home and Farmstead Improvement project.
The National FFA Organization, formerly known as the Future Farmers of America, comprises 850,823 FFA members, aged 12-21, in 8,995 chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.