Titans with a notion of starting their own businesses are nothing new. From professional photography to car detailing services to an ice cream shop, the entrepreneurial spirit is strong in some. Gibson Southern senior Isaac Pohl turned his vision into a reality by starting Pohl’s Greenhouse. That project not only brought him profits this summer but also put the quiet Future Farmers of America member front and center at the 2023 FFA National Convention, where he was the recipient of the FFA Proficiency Award for his work.
The proficiency award recognizes and honors FFA members who have supervised agriculture experience. The award is bestowed upon someone who has developed specialized skills that can be applied towards a future career.
“The proficiency award gives a student the opportunity to highlight all skills they have learned for career readiness,” FFA sponsor Jessie Mraz said.
When COVID-19 hit in 2020, many people became discouraged and did not know how to fill all the free time they suddenly had. Pohl used his love for plants and horticulture to create Pohl’s Greenhouse. His facility has been open since 2020 and is located in Haubstadt, Indiana.
“I grew and sold vegetable seedlings and have since expanded to annuals, perennials and houseplants,” Pohl said.
Pohl has other supervised agricultural experiences, as well as working for an agronomist during the summer and fall. Pohl’s Greenhouse is generally open only in the spring, but he hopes to expand into new markets for fall and winter sales.
“Since watching last year’s National Convention Award Ceremony, I have been determined to apply for my greenhouse,” Pohl said.
The application process took five months to complete. With more than 50 detailed questions and a strict rubric to follow, he completed the form. While working on his application, Pohl received advice from people from the National FFA Convention and Mraz. In February, Pohl sent it to the district to be evaluated among other applicants. Pohl placed first in District X, and his application was sent to Purdue University to be evaluated for state.
“It was well-deserved for Isaac,” junior chaplain Aleah Rexing said. “Last year he came into class and worked on his application every day.”
Mraz and Pohl traveled to Purdue University in June for the FFA State Convention. There, he found out he earned first place in the state. After the couple victories Pohl had, he did not expect what was yet to come. He received news in August that his application ranked in the top four in the United States.
“I was astonished to win state because I didn’t expect to make it out of District X,” Pohl said. “When I discovered that I made it to nationals, I was excited.”
The 2023 National FFA Convention was hosted in Indianapolis, Indiana, in the Lucas Oil Stadium between November 1 and 4.
Pohl attended the convention with Mraz, anticipating if he was going to win or not. Although he did not win, he felt just as accomplished because he was shocked to make it that far.
“I was surprised to make it this far because people spend all four years of their FFA careers attempting to make it to the national level and don’t,” Pohl said. “This was my first year applying.”
Pohl expects more to come with his greenhouse and hopes this experience will guide him along the way.
