Durrant earns top honors for FFA rabbit business

PITTSVILLE – A Pittsville High School student who built a rabbit breeding operation from six animals to 230 has won the Wisconsin FFA’s Small Animal Production and Care Proficiency Award.
Sylvia Durrant, a member of the Pittsville FFA chapter, started her rabbitry in 2018 with five Netherlands rabbits and one Havana. By the end of 2024, she owned 230 rabbits representing 20 different varieties.
Durrant’s dedication to animal husbandry has earned her national recognition. She won the 2023 American Rabbit Breeders Association’s National Winner of Unlimited Management award and took Best of Breed in 2024 against 650 other Netherlands rabbits.
“Sylvia wears many hats for her rabbitry including owner, breeder, record keeper, marketer and more,” the Wisconsin Association of FFA said in a news release.
The state competition included five finalists. Brianna Ganske of Beaver Dam FFA placed second, followed by Delaney Gallagher of Bay Port FFA in third, Johnathon Robinson of Mineral Point FFA in fourth, and Lillyan Kildahl of Stratford FFA in fifth.

Durrant will learn this summer whether she advances to the national competition. If selected as one of four national finalists, she will compete at the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis in November.
Her adviser is Lindsay Meissner.
The Wisconsin Association of FFA represents 253 chapters statewide and focuses on leadership development, personal growth and career preparation in agriculture.