Abigail Burns of Gallatin won the Missouri FFA Agriscience Research Integrated Systems Proficiency Award at the 96th Missouri FFA Convention. Burns, a senior at Gallatin R-V High School, is the daughter of Brant and Tara Burns. She is a member of the Gallatin FFA Chapter. Her advisor is Brant Burns. Burns’ supervised agricultural experience program involves researching germination rates of oak acorns used in oak tree regeneration efforts. Her responsibilities include performing a literature review, designing and executing the project, and recording data. As an FFA member, Burns has participated in the National Agriscience Fair and earned multiple state agriscience fair and proficiency awards. In addition to FFA, Burns is a member of the National Honor Society and the Future Business Leaders of America. After graduating from high school, Burns plans to study plant and environmental research at the University of Missouri-Columbia. Proficiency awards recognize FFA members who excel as agricultural entrepreneurs, employees, or volunteers while gaining hands-on career experience. Agriscience Research Integrated Systems is one of 46 proficiency award areas recognized at the state level. FMC Corporation sponsored this award.
Savannah Reinke of Malta Bend won the Missouri FFA Agricultural Communications Proficiency Award at the 96th Missouri FFA Convention. Reinke, a graduate of Carrollton R-VII High School, is the daughter of David and Michele Reinke. She is a member of the Carrollton Area Career Center FFA Chapter. Her advisors are Megan Kiser and Brooke Swindler. Reinke’s supervised agricultural experience involved working at KMZU, where she leads as the Saturday night news anchor for the station. As an FFA member, Reinke served as a chapter officer and received her Missouri FFA State Leadership Medal in 2020. Outside of FFA, Reinke is a member of the Future Business Leaders of America and a student council member. After graduating from high school, Reinke now attends St. Cloud University in Minnesota, studying agricultural communications with a double minor in marketing and graphic design.
Cole Judy of Hale won the Missouri FFA Agricultural Sales Entrepreneurship Proficiency Award at the 96th Missouri FFA Convention. Judy, a senior at Chillicothe High School, is the daughter of Nathan and Marcy Judy. She is a member of the Chillicothe FFA Chapter. Her advisors are Lance Martin, Randy Plattner, Cyrsten Sarbaugh, Neal Wolf, and Michael Slater. Judy’s supervised agricultural experience program involves operating a retail shop providing feed and show supplies to customers nationwide. Her responsibilities include tracking sales, working with customers, and keeping accurate inventory records. As an FFA member, Judy has attended the Missouri Farm Bureau Statewide Leadership Day and the LEAD Conference for Chapter Officers. In addition to FFA, Judy is a member of the American Hereford Association and the Missouri Cattlewomen’s Association. After graduating from high school, Judy plans to attend North Central Missouri College to earn an associate’s degree. She then plans to transfer to a four-year university to study animal science.
Drake Riley of Cameron won the Missouri FFA Forage Production Proficiency Award at the 96th Missouri FFA Convention. Riley, a senior at Cameron R-I High School, is the son of Steven and Cayla Riley. He is a member of the Cameron FFA Chapter. His advisors are Chris Henderson and Wyatt Ellis. Riley’s supervised agricultural experience consists of hay production. His responsibilities include raking and baling 322 acres of hay. As an FFA member, Riley has competed in the state FFA livestock CDE. He has also received his chapter leadership medal. In addition to FFA, Riley is a member of the Cameron Crazies and the CHS A+ program. After graduating from high school, Riley plans to enter the workforce in the respective area of forage production.
Payton Miller of Newtown won the Missouri FFA Fruit and Nut Production Proficiency Award at the 96th Missouri FFA Convention. Miller, a senior at Newtown-Harris High School, is the son of Matt and Samantha Miller. He is a member of the Newton-Harris FFA Chapter. His advisor is Stephanie Oaks. Miller’s supervised agricultural experience program involves employment at an elderberry farm that cooperates with the Natural Resources Conservation Service. His responsibilities include planting and harvesting elderberries. As an FFA member, Miller has competed in multiple career development events and attended the Washington Leadership Conference. In addition to FFA, Miller is a member of his school’s basketball, track, football, and baseball teams. After graduating from high school, Miller plans to study conservation at North Central Missouri College. He hopes to one day own and operate a small farm operation.
Dylan Gibson of Osborn won the Missouri FFA Fiber and/or Oil Crop Production Proficiency Award at the 96th Missouri FFA Convention. Gibson, a graduate of Osborn High School, is the son of Ferren and Jana Gibson. He is a member of the Stewartsville FFA Chapter. His advisor is Tom Thompson. Gibson’s supervised agricultural experience program involves working at Jackson Farms. His responsibilities include preparing and repairing all equipment and assisting with the harvesting of 3400 acres of soybean. As an FFA member, Gibson has competed in many career development events and has exhibited in market goat exhibitions. After graduating from high school, Gibson’s plans include studying agriculture business at North Central Missouri College.
Nathaniel Cooper of Cameron won the Missouri FFA Agricultural Mechanics Design and Fabrication Proficiency Award at the 96th Missouri FFA Convention. Cooper, a senior at Cameron Hill High School, is the son of Neil and Darcie Cooper. He is a member of the Cameron FFA Chapter. His FFA advisors are Chris Henderson and Wyatt Ellis. Cooper’s supervised agricultural experience began after completing a vo-tech welding program and joining an apprentice program that consisted of building service trucks that dealerships and large farming operations use. During his FFA career, Cooper was a delegate and courtesy corps member at the State FFA Convention. He has also competed in the Meats and Soils CDE. Outside of FFA, Cooper is a welding program member at the Hillyard Technical School, Keystone Willing Workers 4-H Club, and Shooting Sports. Cooper’s future plans include enrolling in the Pipe Master Program at Iron Eagle Welding Academy and then enlisting in the United States Marine Corps. He would also like to earn his State and American FFA degrees.
Grant Thomas Oaks of Harris won the Missouri FFA Diversified Agricultural Production Proficiency Award at the 96th Missouri FFA Convention. Oaks, a senior at Newtown-Harris R-III High School, is the son of Justin and Stephanie Oaks. He is a member of the Newtown-Harris FFA Chapter. His advisors are Stephanie Oaks. Oaks’ supervised agricultural experience program consists of working on his family farm. He helps maintain and take care of hogs and cattle as well as hay production. His responsibilities include farrowing out sows, selling pigs to local youth, and selecting genetics for breeding. He also has his herd of cattle that he breeds, calves, and retains females for production. As an FFA member, Oaks attended Helping Youth Maximize their Agricultural eXperience, State FFA Convention, Missouri Farm Bureau Leadership Day, and Missouri Agribusiness Academy. Oaks also exhibited at the National Barrow Show in Austin, Minnesota, and attended the National FFA Convention & Expo. In addition to FFA, Oaks is a member of the National Honor Society, Newtown Community 4-H Club, Saint Mary’s Catholic Church, and Team Purebred Junior Swine Association. After graduating from high school, Oaks plans to attend the University of Missouri and study Agricultural Systems Technology. He also plans to continue helping on the family farm.
