INDIANAPOLIS (Thursday, Oct. 28, 2021/National FFA Organization) – Nine winners of the 2021 Agricultural Proficiency Awards were named during the second session of the 94th National FFA Convention & Expo on Thursday, Oct. 28, which is being held in Indianapolis
Agricultural Proficiency Awards honor FFA members who, through supervised agricultural experiences (SAEs), have developed specialized skills that they can apply toward their future careers. Students compete in areas ranging from agricultural communications to wildlife management. Proficiency awards are also recognized at local and state levels and provide recognition to members exploring and becoming established in agricultural career pathways.
Today, awards were announced for nine of the 45 categories during the second general convention session.
These recipients are:
Agricultural Communication – Entrepreneurship/Placement
Lashawna Vogel
Lashawna Vogel of the Denmark FFA Chapter in Wisconsin has become an expert at communicating information and ideas with her larger community and FFA chapter. Leading up to National FFA Week, she writes articles reflecting on each of her chapter’s annual events for a newspaper to educate her village about FFA. Using Snapchat, Instagram, Facebook and YouTube, she manages the social media outlets to tell the story of agricultural education. Vogel is supported by her parents, Patti and Steve, and her FFA advisors, Marty Nowak and Mary Handrich. Bader Rutter and Associates, Inc., and Red Brand sponsor this proficiency.
Agricultural Education – Entrepreneurship/Placement
Kendra Goplin
Kendra Goplin of the Whitehall FFA Chapter Wisconsin began her supervised agricultural experience (SAE) by helping teach third-graders about agriculture safety for an agricultural literacy program. She assists in coaching a middle school quiz bowl team and creating educational displays at both the county and state fairs. She also coordinates ag literacy activities in her school district, reaching students from pre-kindergarten to sixth grades. Goplin is supported by her parents, Melinda and Shane, and her FFA advisor, Melinda Goplin. CHS and Harris Products Group-A Lincoln Electric Company sponsor this proficiency.
Agricultural Mechanics Design and Fabrication – Entrepreneurship/Placement
Benjamin Olander
Benjamin Olander of the Staples-Motley FFA Chapter in Minnesota has been interested in the functions of crafting and building structures for as long as he remembers. He began working for a machine shop owned by his grandfather and uncle and learned MIG, TIG and Arc welding, along with learning how to operate the cutting torch and plasma cutter. These tools have helped him create landscape rakes, feed wagons and excavator thumbs. Olander is supported by his parents, Denise and Keith, and his FFA advisors, Kerry Lindgren and Joe Ramstad. Carry-On Trailer Corporation and Lincoln Electric/Harris Products Group sponsors this proficiency.
Agricultural Mechanics Repair and Maintenance – Entrepreneurship
Case Edwards
Case Edwards of the Wetumpka FFA Chapter in Alabama owns a business that repairs two- and four-cycle small engines on agricultural equipment and larger equipment like tractors. In the first two years of his supervised agricultural experience (SAE), he repaired approximately six pieces of equipment including push mowers, string trimmers and riding mowers. These repairs built his confidence and led him to repairing and painting a 1950 John Deere Model M, a 1947 Farmall Super A, and a 1965 Massey 135. Edwards is supported by his parents, Jamie and Joey, and his FFA advisors, William Norris and Keith Lucy. Kubota Tractor and Tractor Supply Company sponsor this proficiency.
Agricultural Mechanics Repair and Maintenance – Placement
Justin Preece
Justin Preece of the Urbana FFA Chapter in Ohio became passionate about this supervised agricultural experience (SAE) area after driving his grandfather’s John Deere 3020. He jumped at the chance for a job at his local Case IH dealer, even though they only needed someone to clean about the shop. After two months, however, he began detailing new and used farm equipment for the shop. Preece has since advanced into assembling augers. He has accepted a full-time position as a lead technician for their Kubota line and certified welder. He is supported by his parents, Michelle Adams and Brian Preece, and his FFA advisors, Stephen Wilhelm and Mallory Zachrich. John Deere sponsors this proficiency.
Agricultural Processing – Entrepreneurship/Placement
Rachyl Kitten
Rachyl Kitten of the Slaton FFA Chapter in Texas owns and operates a swine feed milling business. She started her operation when she was in the eighth grade and the price of feed started to increase. Through in-depth research and interviews with numerous individuals in the feed and livestock industry, she has developed a line of feed that offers 16 percent, 18 percent, and 20 percent protein-medicated and un-medicated feeds. Kitten is supported by her parents, Bonnie and Kurt, and her FFA advisors, Adam Westbrook and Casey Jones. The National FFA Foundation and National FFA Organization sponsor this proficiency.
Agricultural Sales – Entrepreneurship
Drake Williams
Drake Williams of the Cherokee FFA Chapter in Oklahoma has been buying and re-selling various breeds of goats, sheep and exotic animals for three years. He attends sales throughout the area to purchase bred nannies and replacement bucks for resale helping his customers build superior herds. He’s sold to families in Nebraska, Oklahoma, Texas, Kansas, Arkansas and Missouri. He has resold more than 1,000 head of sheep, goats and exotic animals. Williams is supported by his parents, Dana and Aaron, and his FFA advisor, Christy Snider. Nutrien Ag Solutions and Valent USA Corporation sponsor this proficiency.
Agricultural Sales – Placement
Emily Wise
Emily Wise of the Bakersfield-Bakersfield Christian FFA Chapter in California works for Redhouse, an integrated agricultural family operation specializing in producing and selling grass-fed beef, poultry, almonds and honey. Her responsibilities include customer relations, product marketing and branding, processing online orders, and overseeing distribution to local companies. Today, she is a team leader, starting just four years ago in shelf-stocking. Wise is supported by her parents, Debbie and Geordy, and her FFA advisor, Tanya Bidabe Love. Cargill, Fastenal and Wilbur-Ellis sponsor this proficiency.
Agricultural Services – Entrepreneurship/Placement
Cassie Carter
Cassie Carter of the Habersham Central FFA Chapter in Georgia works for Trophy Taker Taxidermy during summers and after school. There, she works with mounts for clients. She washes the animal hides, dries them, and applies the preservatives to each part of the hide. After this, she’ll sew up any noticeable holes to ensure a good-looking final product. Carter said that her greatest challenge was learning to mount a deer, a process she has since perfected. She is supported by her parents, Kathy and Chris, and her FFA advisors, Amy Crump, Aaron Newton and Willie Crump. Helena Agri-Enterprises sponsor this proficiency.
Ronda Hamm, Academic Relations Manager at Corteva Agriscience, discusses the interactive activities in the booth at the 94th National FFA Convention and Expo and the acoustic performances by the National FFA Band and Chorus with Broadcast Desk Intern, Lydia Johnson. She also notes that students will have the opportunity to get professional headshots taken in the booth, complete a weed identification activity, and engage with partner organizations including the American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture, Nutrients for Life, and Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Related Sciences (MANNRS).
