Taking the first step in something unknown is undoubtedly the most difficult. But after taking that step, words become actions, and ideas become products. That is what led senior Jason Bongers and sophomore Jett Bailey of East Butler to turn ideas into something tangible.
Bongers had grown up with an interest in tech and later became invested in drones.
“It all started probably when I was a kid,” recalls Bongers. “I had one of those little toy drones, so I liked drones right out the gate.”
As for Bailey, he and his family began to sell produce from a self-serve hayrack trailer, which was already doing well. But Bailey knew there was room to grow, and he felt there had to be a better way.
Taking the first step into a venture that wouldn’t guarantee results seemed unlikely to both Bongers and Bailey. However, through the Nebraska FFA Foundation SAE Grant Program, both students received funding to help bring their ideas to reality.
Bongers used his grant to buy his first DJI Mini 3 camera drone, which fueled his interest in drones, encouraging him to start his very own custom application spray drone business, Next Level Ag, LLC.
"The grant funding allowed me to purchase my first small drone, which sparked my interest in this technology. I often told my ag teacher that I wouldn't have my larger drone if it weren't for that grant,” said Bongers. “If I hadn't had the little DJI drone, I may not have discovered the possibilities of this technology, and without that grant money, I probably wouldn't have pursued it at all.”
The satisfaction Bongers gets from his work speaks for itself.
“The spray drone is like a huge drone,” he says. “You have to get your pilot's license, and all these other exemptions and certificates through the FAA so you’re legal to fly it. I never would’ve thought that would happen, but it’s just cool to be the guy behind the business and helping people.”
Bailey, on the other hand, wanted to enhance the way he sold fresh produce, moving away from using his hayrack trailer to something that would better showcase his products and help his business stand out. His goal was to serve his community by providing quality produce so that people wouldn’t have to drive 30 minutes or farther to the nearest Walmart. He had seen other types of farm stands that people have set up and run successfully, knowing he wanted to create something similar. From those ideas, everything started to fall into place.
“The best part for me is giving something back to the community,” he said.
Bailey has continued his successful produce stand, hoping to inspire others. He used his experience to prove that you don’t need a multi-thousand-acre farm to accomplish ideas; what you do need is the ability to utilize your given skills and apply them.
“I hope that other students see that just because you don’t have the biggest farm, it doesn’t mean you can’t do something with it,” he says. “You don’t need the biggest farm to be successful.”
After taking a few risks and putting in the hard work to follow, both students became invested in something they potentially wouldn’t have had without their SAE project guiding the way. Both Bongers and Bailey were able to use their SAE project to make something they could grow and learn from for years to come. By utilizing their grants from the NeFFA Foundation, both were able to start their own businesses and take them to the next level.
