Several area students earned proficiency awards during the FFA State Convention in Columbia, with five students being named best in the state.
According to news releases, the proficiency awards recognize FFA members who excel as agricultural entrepreneurs, employees or volunteers while gaining hands-on career experience.
Area FFA members who were named state winners in their proficiency areas include: Austin Freund of Concordia, for Dairy Production Entrepreneurship; Natasha Cora Jenkins, of Boonville, for Diversified Horticulture; Haley Briddle, of Carrollton, for Food Science and Technology; Jacob Dierking, of Santa Fe, for Grain Production Entrepreneurship; and Lacey Gordon, of Hardin, for Veterinary Science.
Also, several area students placed second in their proficiency areas– Elizabeth Fahrmeier, of Wellington, for Agriculture Processing; Christian Chinchole, of Tina-Avalon, for Food Science and Technology; Sydney Mieser, of Warrensburg, for Fruit Production; Ty Stinson, of Prairie Home, for Grain Production Placement; and Jacob Hall, of Marshall, for Small Animal Production and Care Entrepreneurship and Placement Combined Award.
The Missouri FFA State Convention was held April 19-20 in Columbia.