Local resident finalist for award

Thursday, June 9, 2011

MANHATTAN -- Read Gleason of the Uniontown FFA Chapter is a finalist for the Kansas FFA State Star in Ag Placement, which will be awarded Friday during the final session of the 83rd Kansas FFA Convention.

The State Star in Agribusiness honors a member who manages his or her own agribusiness.

Finalists are chosen from the 207 members receiving the Kansas State FFA Degree, the highest level of membership bestowed by the state association.

Gleason co-owns a feed business with his brother. They sell dog food, show feeds and mineral.

When they started the business, they were selling only a few bags of dog food per month. They have significantly grown into a successful business. Gleason said he is excited to get up every day and do his work, making his customers happy.

Gleason is the son of Kevin and Brenda Gleason. His father, Kevin, is also the Uniontown FFA advisor.

The Kansas FFA Association is a part of the National FFA Organization, a national youth organization of more than 506,000 student members preparing for leadership and careers in the science, business and technology of agriculture with more than 7,400 local chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.

FFA's mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education.

For more information, visit www.ksffa.org.