From WATTAgNet:
Cavan Sullivan, co-owner of Sullivan Farms and Petersburg Poultry Processing, knows what it is like to turn an FFA project into a successful business. Speaking in advance of the Illinois State FFA Convention, Sullivan showed members of the agricultural leadership organization how he was able to do so.
Sullivan, along with his wife Sydney and brother Steele, operate the businesses, which grew from Sullivan’s high school FFA project in which he started raising ringneck pheasants to sell birds to dog trainers, clubs and conservation groups. That project-turned-business helped Sullivan pay his way through college and provided a living for his young family. He also employs more than 20 people.
He encouraged FFA members to look at ways they can turn their projects into a business, and that it was O.K. to deviate from the more traditional farming operations that centered around row crops common in Illinois, reported The State Journal-Register.
“I was in FFA, and I want to encourage people to do small-time agriculture. We want to show these FFA students your project can actually turn into a business,” said Sullivan. “You can do something different than, ‘All right, I’m going to do corn and soybeans, now I’m a farmer.’”
Central Illinois poultry firm operates amid corn, soybeans
(AP) - The owner of a poultry business operating in the heart of central Illinois' corn and soybean country says he hopes future farmers will also consider specialty farming. The State Journal-Register reports that Petersburg Poultry Processing owner Cavan Sullivan sells the assets of pheasants, chickens and turkeys.
