In the heart of Ubly, surrounded by fields and the friendly bleats of goats, you’ll find Makaila Cantrell, a 17-year-old with a knack for turning dreams into reality. She’s not your average high schooler – Makaila’s a powerhouse entrepreneur and a shining star in the world of FFA.

Growing up with a love for all things agriculture, Makaila found her calling in the Ubly FFA Chapter. There, she dove headfirst into projects like raising hogs, goats, beef and rabbits, proving that she’s not afraid of hard work.

But Makaila’s entrepreneurial journey truly kicked off during the 2020 Michigan FFA State Convention. After seeing a goat milk soap Demonstration onstage, a spark ignited. With some extra time on her hands thanks to COVID-19, she decided to put her goats to work and started Ruth Soaps, named after her grandma.

Ruth Soaps isn’t your run-of-the-mill soap business. Makaila pours her heart and soul into every bar, using top-notch ingredients like Do-Terra Essential oils to create 40 different heavenly scents. And thanks to lessons learned in the National FFA Marketing CDE, she’s a pro at getting her products out there.

Smart move alert: Makaila took her business online, setting up shop on Facebook and her own website. Now, she’s shipping her goodies to customers in 20 different states across the US – talk about making waves!

And her FFA Advisor? Well, she sums up the extent of FFA’s impact well: “Makaila has come out of her shell. She has opened up and developed confidence in her speaking and presentation skills. She has also developed skills in business and marketing that will aid her throughout her life.”

As graduation looms on the horizon, Makaila’s not slowing down. She’s got her sights set on Michigan State University, where she’ll be diving into a Bachelor’s Degree in Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources Education. This girl’s got big plans, and we’re all cheering her on.

Makaila’s not the only shining star in the FFA galaxy. Alongside her, you’ve got Joshua Fruchey from Blissfield and Jonathon Hoard from Tuscola Tech Center, all in the running for the Michigan FFA Star in Agribusiness Award. These students are the future– and they’re showing us all what it means to dream big and work hard.

So, let’s rally behind Makaila and her fellow finalists. Whether it’s by supporting the Michigan FFA Foundation or simply cheering them on from the sidelines, let’s show these young trailblazers that the sky’s the limit. After all, as Makaila herself puts it, “FFA has helped shape me into a more positive and confident individual. I joined the organization because I saw the positive impact it had on others and all of the opportunities that existed for its members.”