The Missouri FFA Association recognizes Honorary State FFA Degree recipients at its annual state convention for their valuable efforts and contributions to the FFA organization and its members. Those eligible to receive the Honorary FFA Degree include farmers, school superintendents, principals, members of the board of education, chapter advisors, teachers, staff members in agricultural education, business professionals and others who are helping to advance agricultural education and the FFA while rendering outstanding service.
According to news releases, three area residents earned honorary FFA degrees at the 91st Missouri FFA Convention
Nancy Bouse, of Sedalia, is an administrative assistant for the Missouri State Fair. Although she was not an FFA member, her work at the Missouri State Fair has provided the opportunity to work with FFA members.
Avery Deevers, of Warrensburg, taught agricultural education for six years in the Crest Ridge School District. He taught several students who were honored with State and American FFA degrees, as well as some area FFA officers. He is a member of the Missouri Vocation Agriculture Teachers Association.
Brooke Swindler, of Norborne, has been an agriculture instructor and FFA advisor for 15 years- 13 years at Carrollton and two at Tina-Avalon. She has served on Missouri Vocational Agriculture Teachers Association committees as well as the National FFA Agriscience Committee. Throughout her career, her students have received 43 American FFA Degrees, 61 State FFA Degrees, one named state Star in Placement and 11 named area stars. Her chapters have won 113 first-place area proficiency awards with 13 state winners and one National FFA winner.
The Missouri FFA has 25,375 members representing 347 chapters. The national organization has more than 669,000 members representing 8,630 chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.