Several area FFA students earned proficiency awards, including numerous state winners, 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.
Rylee Gannon, of Higginsville, won the Missouri FFA Equine Science Placement Proficiency Award. Gannon, a senior at Lafayette County C-I High School, is the daughter of Jeff Gannon and Julie Rogers. Her FFA advisors are Adam Brock, Stephanie Carpenter and Savannah Taylor.
Tylea Bell, of Carrollton, won the Missouri FFA Food Science and Technology Proficiency Award. Bell, a sophomore at Carrollton High School, is the daughter of Billie and Michelle Bell. Her FFA advisors are Matthew Praiswater and Brooke Swindler.
Caleb Lauer, of Boonville, won the Missouri FFA Fruit Production Proficiency Award. Lauer, a junior at Boonslick Technical Education Center, is the son of Michael and Julie Lauer. His chapter advisors are Deana Thies and Doug Henke.
Trace Chambers, of Fayette, won the Missouri FFA Goat Production Proficiency Award. Chambers, a senior at Fayette High School, is the son of Douglas Chambers and Susan Wheaton. His FFA advisor is Robyn Eschenbrenner.
Jenna Korff, of Norborne, won the Missouri FFA Grain Production Entrepreneurship Proficiency Award. Korff is a junior at Norborne High School and is the daughter of Rob and Gaylynn Korff. Her FFA advisor is Cyrsten Lollar.
Garrett Sims, of Sweet Springs, received the second-place Missouri FFA Diversified Crop Entrepreneurship Proficiency Award. Sims, a senior at Sweet Springs High School, is the son of Ryan and Cindy Sims. His advisors are Kristen Fenner and Brent Niemeyer.
Trent Begemann, of Odessa, received the second-place Missouri FFA Grain Production Entrepreneurship Proficiency Award. Begemann, a sophomore at Odessa High School, is the son of Michael and Stacy Begemann. His FFA advisor is Bill Angel.