Several area FFA students earned proficiency awards at the 91st Annual State FFA Convention in Columbia.

According to a news release, proficiency awards recognize FFA members who excel as agriculture entrepreneurs, employees or volunteers while gaining hands-on career experience.

Darrick Homfeld, of Lexington, won the Agricultural Mechanics Repair and Maintenance-Placement Proficiency Award. Homfeld, a graduate of Lexington High School, is the son of Scott and Sara Homfeld. He is a member of the Lex-La-Ray chapter. His FFA advisor is Courtney Chaney.

Elizabeth Fahrmeier won the Sheep Production Proficiency Award. Fahrmeier is a graduate of Wellington-Napoleon R-9 High School and is a member of the Wellington-Napoleon FFA Chapter. She is the daughter of Lynn and Donna Fahrmeier. Her FFA advisor is Devin Garland.

Jacob Dierking, of Blackburn, earned the second-place Vegetable Production Proficiency Award. Dierking, a senior at Santa Fe High School, is the son of Joel and Marla Dierking. He is a member of the Santa Fe FFA Chapter. His FFA advisor is Martha Schreiman.

Savannah Swigart, of Higginsville, received the second-place Small Animal Production and Care Proficiency Award. Swigart, a senior at Lafayette County C-1 High School in Higginsville, is the daughter of Russ and Julie Swigart. Swigart is a member of the Higginsville FFA Chapter. Her FFA advisors are Adam Brock, Stephanie Carpenter and Savannah Taylor.

Alexandria Lock, of Carrollton, received the second-place Agricultural Communications Proficiency Award. Lock, a graduate of Carrollton High School, is the daughter of Doug and Terri Lock. She is a member of the Carrollton Area Career Center FFA Chapter, and her advisor is Brooke Swindler.

Samuel Homan, of Otterville, received the second-place Agricultural Mechanics Repair and Maintenance Entrepreneurship Proficiency Award. Homan, a junior at Otterville R-6 High School, is the son of Glenn and Rose Homan. He is a member of the Otterville FFA Chapter. His FFA advisor is Kaitlin Kempker.