Ben McGill, of Brunswick, won the Missouri FFA Vegetable Production Proficiency Award.
A news release says McGill, a junior in the Brunswick R-II School District, is the son of Brad and Alison McGill. He is a member of the Brunswick FFA Chapter. His advisor is Kendra Krapfl.
McGill’s supervised agricultural experience program started on his family farm, where his parents grew produce in two high tunnels. He chose to add another tunnel to start his own operation. McGill currently grows tomatoes and other vegetables to sell at the Independence Farmers Market and Kansas City River Market. McGilll is employed at McGill Farms and King Hill Farms, each in Brunswick. His duties at King Hill Farms are seasonal, as he works on harvesting, cleaning and selling produce.
In FFA, McGill is a member of the trapshooting team. He has attended the National FFA Convention & Expo, and Washington Leadership Conference. McGill has exhibited at the Missouri State Fair.
In addition to FFA, McGill is a member of Future Business Leaders of America and the scholar bowl team. Outside of school, he is president of the Indian Grove 4-H Club.
After graduating high school, McGill’s plans include attending Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville to study agricultural business. McGill said he hopes to pursue a career in marketing and expand his SAE.
Proficiency awards recognize FFA members who excel as agriculture entrepreneurs, employees or volunteers while gaining hands-on career experience. Vegetable Production is one of 46 proficiency award areas recognized at the state level. Missouri Vegetable Growers Association sponsored this award.