FFA Today: Homegrown Jalapeños Fuel Student Business

Addison Kennon’s FFA project is giving her real-world experience in growing and marketing candied jalapeños.

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Ark. (RFD-TV) — An Arkansas FFA student is turning homegrown jalapeños into a business through her Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE).

Addison Kennon grows and processes candied jalapeños, selling them throughout her community while gaining hands-on experience in food production. She says the project has taught her the importance of food safety and recordkeeping as the business has continued to grow.

Kennon also credits FFA with helping her build the confidence to market her products and connect with customers. She recently received an SAE grant to help expand the operation.

Related Stories
Cooper Kline is one of four finalists for the American Star Farmer award.
Noah Wiley discusses his path from growing up on the farm to becoming a national FFA finalist.
Jose Yepez turned a high school lawn care operation into a business with $1 million in total revenue.
CEO Scott Stump credits agriculture educators and advisors with helping drive the growth.
Young farmers gathered in Indianapolis for leadership development, industry tours and networking.
Adalyn Hanning’s Supervised Agricultural Experience at the University of Arkansas is preparing her for a future in food products and processing.

Knoxville native Neal Burnette-Irwin is a graduate from MTSU where he majored in Journalism and Entertainment Studies. He works as a digital content producer with RFD-TV and is represented by multiple talent agencies in Nashville and Chicago.


LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

USDA hopes most of its newly announced fertilizer projects will be completed by the end of 2027.
Dr. Jeffrey Gold discusses early treatment and ways to limit the spread of seasonal illnesses
The Georgia destination offers hayrides, baked goods and dozens of pumpkin varieties alongside its newest attraction.
Waste to Energy Systems is developing technology to repurpose discarded wood.
Farm Bureau says rising expenses can cut into earnings even when retail beef prices remain high.
Texas A&M researchers are working with the University of Florida on a potential treatment for the disease.
Farmers are reviewing crop budgets as fuel costs remain above year-ago levels.
Growing consumer demand has helped increase both export volume and value over the past year.
The order aims to speed up grazing permits and restore suspended allotments for ranchers.
The interactive exhibit gives fairgoers a hands-on look at the crop’s history and importance to the state.
Producers warn higher groundwater pumping fees could threaten their operations.
Producers are watching global demand as USDA lowers its pork production forecast.