Gorrell competes at national FFA event

Justine Gorrell was one of only four finalists for a national FFA award during the National FFA Convention held Oct. 22-25 in Indianapolis, Ind. A Malta Bend FFA member, she has spent many hours working at Springwater Greenhouse and Landscaping in Malta Bend.
(Marcia Gorrell/Democrat-News)

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Justine Gorrell, now a sophomore at the University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg, was one of only four people chosen to compete for the nursery operations, entrepreneureship/placement profiency award.

"I was surprised," said Gorrell, when she first found out she had qualified for the national award. She had previously won first place in the state competition in May. "Even if you win at state they only choose four people out of those 50 states," said Gorrell, the daughter of Brent and Ann Gorrell of Malta Bend.

In 2007, Gorrell won the state competition in Diversified Horticulture, but wasn't been chosen as a national finalist.

The profiency awards, given in 47 areas, recognize outstanding student achievement in agribusiness gained through establishing a new business or working for an existing company.

In Gorrell's case, she has helped out at Springwater Greenhouse and Landscaping in Malta Bend since she was 10 years old, first only working on Saturdays. The greenhouse is co-owned by Sheri Hacker and by Gorrell's aunt, Paula Gorrell.

"I started working there officially the summer of my eighth-grade year," she said. Since that time she has logged "a lot" of hours, working full-time in the summer and after school and weekends. She plans to work there this Christmas break, too.

Through the years, Gorrell has learned many aspects of the landscaping and greenhouse industry.

"Whenever I started working there I didn't know the name of any flowers or anything," Gorrell said. "Now I can tell you pretty much every flower in the greenhouse and if it needs shade or sun," she said.

While at the national convention, Gorrell was accompanied by her grandparents, Chuck and Carolyn Gorrell, her sister Dawn, who was there with the Malta Bend FFA chapter, her father and her employers, Hacker and Gorrell.

"We knew it was a big award, but didn't realize what an honor for her it was until we got there," said Hacker.

During the convention, held Oct. 22-25, Gorrell and the other finalists were interviewed, photographed and treated to a special luncheon.

They were also introduced to the convention visitors during one of the sessions. The top spot was finally awarded to another of the finalists.

"She owned her own greenhouse. That was pretty cool," said Gorrell.

On Saturday, Oct. 25, Gorrell also received her National FFA degree, the highest degree given to FFA students.

"That kind of topped off my FFA career," said Gorrell.

Majoring in art education at UCM, Gorrell plans to be an elementary art teacher after graduating.

Although she said it may not be her ultimate career choice, working at the greenhouse is something she really has enjoyed and thanked Hacker and Gorrell for the experience.

"If I don't do anything professionally with plants in the future, I am sure it will always be a hobby of mine," she said. "It's something I'll always enjoy doing."

Contact Marcia Gorrell at marshallag@socket.net