Blog – Page 3 – Missouri FFA and Agriculture Education

Oct 13 2025

2025 National Convention Tidbits

Missouri is well represented at the upcoming 2025 National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana

AGRISCIENCE FAIR – 9 FINALISTS

Jaden Decker & Jensen Decker Centralia Div. 4, Animal Systems
Athena Wilson & Jaxon Marsh Pleasant Hope Div. 4, Environ. Services & Nat. Resource Systems
Alexis Peterman & Allie Yescas Pleasant Hope Div. 4, Food Products & Processing Systems
Arwen Mehl & Kylee Agee Pleasant Hope Div. 6, Food Products & Processing Systems
Kyra Keeling & Orrionna Mehl Pleasant Hope Div. 4, Plant Systems
Lexi Perryman Pleasant Hope Div. 5 Power, Structural & Technical Systems
Brody Swindler Carrollton ACC Div. 3, Social Science
Ethan Pearce & Samuel Alvarez Milan Div. 4, Social Science
Isabel Morris & Lucy Conger Rolla Div. 6, Social Science

PROFICIENCY AWARDS – 13 FINALISTS

Lynn Dyer Higginsville Agricultural Education
Casey Vannoy North Shelby Agricultural Mechanics Repair & Maintenance-Ent.
Mitchell Herigon Boonville Agricultural Mechanics Repair & Maintenance-Pl.
Chase Hall Clopton Agricultural Services- Entrepreneurship/Placement
Madeliene Pollard Lathrop Diversified Crop Production – Entrepreneurship
Destiny Deleon Milan Diversified Horticulture-Entrepreneurship/Placement
Alexa Groeber Montgomery City Envir. Science & Nat. Res. Mgmt. – Entrepreneurship/Pl.
Troy Zeilstra Brunswick Fruit Production – Entrepreneurship/Placement
James Baker Memphis Goat Production – Entrepreneurship/Placement
Cordray Baker Brookfield Landscape Installation – Entrepreneurship/Placement
Abigayle Lett Odessa Specialty Crop Production – Entrepreneurship/Placement
Grant Oaks Newtown-Harris Swine Production – Entrepreneurship
Carter Bell Rich Hill Wildlife Prod. & Mgmt. – Entrepreneurship/Placement

NATIONAL CHAPTER AWARDS

30 Three Star Chapters — Highest award for chapter
8 Two Star Chapters – Second highest award for chapters
Premier Chapter Awards

Paris Premier Chapter-Strengthening Agriculture

Centralia Premier Chapter-Strengthening Agriculture

Centralia Premier Chapter-Building Communities

CDE/LDE PARTICIPANTS

Ag Communications-Versailles
Ag Issues Forum-Troy
Ag Sales – Tipton
Ag Mechanics – North Shelby
Agronomy – Elsberry
Conduct of Meetings – Republic
Creed – Madelyn Sampson, Kirksville
Dairy Cattle – Neosho
Employment Skills – Christian Siegel, Columbia
Environment & Natural Resources—Mt. Vernon
Extemporaneous Speaking – Kristin Waters, Norborne
Farm Business Mgt – Palmyra
Floriculture – Palmyra
Food Science – Neosho
Forestry – Forsyth
Horse – Logan-Rogersville
Livestock – Braymer
Meats – Savannah
Milk Quality – Neosho
Nursery/Landscape – Pleasant Hill
Parliamentary – Troy
Poultry – Green Ridge
Public Speaking – Makala Methvin, Bolivar
Vet Science – Eldon

2025 MISSOURI TIDBITS

757 American Degree Recipients – #1 in number recipients
12 National Delegates
National Officer Candidate – Braden Havlik, Silex
2 members performing in National Talent
- Emma Pitford-Clark County
- Kimberly Keith-Chillicothe
10 National Chorus Members
Elizabeth Davidson, Ash Grove; Karina Lopez, Aurora; Gabriela Pedron, Aurora; Victor Sallas, California; Gracie Sappington, Dadeville; Lexi Brown, Fairfax; Riley Wilson, Boonville; Tony Jennings, Gilman City; Jayce Campbell, Eldon; Shyliah Robinson, Neosho.
13 National Band Members
Abigail Rice, Brunswick; Cody Schneider, California; Addy Gaulke, Smithville; Taylor Lauer, Hermann; Fletcher Shoemaker, Oran; Jeremiah Leonard, Cabool; Gracie Billue, Salisbury; Kiersten Eads, Eldon; Molly Goos, Silex; Kathryn Farmer, Polo; Laramie Fenimore, Gallatin; Kyra Hester, Monroe City; Tanner Lorenson, Monroe City.
10 Teachers receiving Honorary American Degree –
Tammy Bartholomew, Miami; Josh Bondy, Paris; Adam Brock, Higginsville; Darren Farmer, Polo; Kelly Lee, Braymer; John Osborn, Van Buren; Michelle Preslar, Fort Osage; Charles Simpson, Osceola; Kristy Sivils, Aurora; Sara White, Tuscumbia.
8 Individuals receiving Honorary American Degree –
Dr. Mun Choi, President UM Systems-Columbia; Janet Adkison, Missouri Farm Bureau-Jefferson City; Brett Begemann, Retired COO of Monsanto/Bayer, St. Louis; Kate Lambert, FCS Financial, Chillicothe; Marie Davis, Northeast District Supervisor, Bowling Green; Dr. Andrew Clarke, University of Missouri, Columbia; Heather McKenzie and Nash McKenzie, Parents of Star Finalist, Boonville.
1 Individual receiving a National VIP Award –
Keith Dietzschold, National FFA Board Member, Missouri Ag Ed Director, Jefferson City

Oct 13 2025

Stressed or Blessed

2025-2026, Lindsey McDonald

105

Lindsay McDonald, 2025-26 VP

Ever since I joined FFA, there is one word I can use to describe my life: busy. It seemed as though there was always some new event or contest I could do, and I was not about to pass up an opportunity to do something with FFA. I will never regret any of the opportunities I’ve taken advantage of in FFA, but I will say it left me feeling overwhelmed at times, like I was struggling to keep my head above water.

I would often miss class for trips and though I did a good job of keeping up with my schoolwork and communicating with my teachers, sometimes deadlines are still deadlines. Since beginning college, I’ve had the opportunity to get involved in so many new things, and with that comes finding a healthy balance. Oftentimes I have to prioritize things, which sometimes means missing out on one thing because another was higher on my list.

Needless to say, there’s always a lot going on in my life, and I know I’m not the only one. Sometimes, it leaves me feeling stressed. But when I start to feel stressed, I think at what an amazing privilege it is to be stressed. I have opportunities set right in front of me not everyone else in the world has. And for that, I feel grateful. I’m blessed to stay busy, I’m blessed to build communities that care about me, and I’m blessed to have the good health to do it all. Sometimes we get so caught up in the blur of everyday life that we spend too much time stressing and forget to make time to focus on our blessings.

Oct 13 2025

Persist

2025-2026, Noah Groose

106

Noah Grosse, 2025-26 VP

On our first day back from winter break, Mrs. Toler, the fifth-grade teacher, announced each student was to find a “2025 Word”. This word should be one students could focus on to better themselves throughout 2025. I volunteered as an A+ student in the 5th grade classroom every day of my senior year and helped the students or did tasks for Mrs. Toler. As I assisted the fifth graders in finding words they felt would be best for them, I decided to do the same.

The word I chose was persist.

At the time, I hoped this word would help keep me focused while making some of the hard decisions every senior faces: what college I would attend, what I would major in, how I would find the time to fill scholarship applications and how I would remain involved in my FFA chapter. I added my 2025 word to my notes app where I would stumble across it periodically and be reminded to continue with my persistence.

Halfway through 2025, I found myself preparing a keynote speech for Week 2 of FFA Camp. I realized my persistence had helped solidify those difficult decisions I was facing back in January, while helping me become a better version of myself in order to serve Missouri FFA.

As we move closer to the end of 2025, I am still trying to keep my word in mind. I hope to stay persistent in my classwork, studying and keeping up with my friends. I encourage you to create a 2026 word to place in a spot where you will have a subtle reminder of what you want to focus on throughout the year ahead.

Oct 13 2025

The City Behind You

2025-2026, Kolton Stolba

106

Kolton Stolba, 2025-26 VP

As a sports fan, I love to think of one of my favorite moments in sports history. June 11, 1997 – Game 5 of the NBA Finals where the Chicago Bulls were facing the Utah Jazz. That morning, Michael Jordan wakes up barely able to stand, sick with nausea and exhaustion. Despite his pain, Jordan knows how much his team needs him, so he decides to play. He steps onto the court with the flu and proceeds to drop 38 points, hitting a clutch 3-pointer in the last 30 seconds to seal the win. The Bulls take a 3–2 series lead and go on to win the championship. This game went on to be known as “The Flu Game.”

Ray Allen described it by saying, “That’s the greatest performance ever because he had no business even being out there.” I now realize Jordan wasn’t playing for himself. He was playing for Chicago. He understood the name “Jordan” on the back of his jersey was smaller than the Bulls logo on the front.

In one of my favorite songs, Macklemore’s “Can’t Hold Us”, he says, “My city’s right behind me, if I fall, they got me.” That’s exactly what Jordan embodied, and it’s what we all should embody, too. Our case looks a little different, though. On our FFA jackets, our names are on the front, but what’s on the back is so much bigger. When we wear that jacket, we represent our chapter, our state and ultimately the entirety of FFA.

Jordan’s flu game is remembered not just for the stats, but for what it meant. The same is true for us. Whether it’s FFA, school, sports or life, we should always remember that the name on the back is bigger than the name on the front.

Sep 17 2025

Loosen the Grip

2025-2026, Harlee Beck

105

Harlee Beck, 2025-26 VP

We can’t always control everything in our lives. I’ll be honest—that’s hard for me. Like most people, I like to plan out my schedule, my goals and even the outcomes of my efforts. But the truth is, holding on too tightly doesn’t always lead to the best results.

So often, we spend our time stressing over problems and worrying about tomorrow. In doing that, we can forget to enjoy the little moments that make today special. The funny conversations with friends, a sunset after a long day or even just laughing at ourselves when things don’t go as planned. Those moments can pass us by if we’re too focused on what might happen next.

Starting college has been one of the biggest reminders of this for me. With new schedules, classes and responsibilities, I’ve realized just how many things are outside of my control. At first, I found myself trying to juggle it all perfectly—newsflash, it didn’t work. What I did learn, though, is that stressing over what I can’t change doesn’t solve the problem. In fact, it just steals the joy right out of the present moment.

Instead, I’ve been working on focusing on what I can control: my attitude, my effort and how I choose to spend each day. When I do that, I find more peace in the present and more appreciation for the journey I’m on.

If you’re anything like me, you probably want things to always go according to plan. But maybe the best growth comes when we let go a little, trust the process and learn to enjoy the ride. Life has a way of working itself out, sometimes even better than we could have planned.

So here’s my challenge for you (and for myself, too): take a deep breath, loosen your grip on the things you can’t control and look for the little joys today has to offer. You might just find that the unplanned moments become your favorite memories.

Sep 17 2025

Ka-Chow

2025-2026, Seth Engeman

108

Seth Engeman, 2025-26 1st VP

The cinematic masterpiece produced by Pixar that we all know as “Cars” has been engraved in my mind since I was a young boy. The soundtrack alone can send me down a rabbit hole of reasons why the movie is the greatest of all time. I may be a little biased, but I think we can all learn something from it.

Lightning McQueen is on a journey to become the greatest racer of all time, refusing to lose—even if it means winning by the tip of his tongue. Going through high school, I often felt the same way. Whether it meant getting good grades or placing first in a competition, I always wanted to be on top. But as I’ve gone through high school and life has picked up speed, I’ve learned life isn’t always about finishing first. The people we meet along the way can make the biggest difference.

Just as Radiator Springs taught Lightning McQueen to slow down, FFA has done the same for me. Sometimes, at an event, the best thing you can do is take the time to say hello to familiar faces—or even meet someone new. Your next lifelong friend, just like McQueen’s best friend Tow Mater, could be waiting for you.

Missouri FFA, I encourage you to slow down and remember that being on top isn’t what life is all about. Take some time to enjoy the things that go by too fast, even when you feel ready to speed ahead. Catch up with old friends and make new ones. Remember the tangible things in life will never mean as much as the relationships we build with others. Just like the Hudson Hornet said, trophies are just “a bunch of empty cups.” Slow down and embrace your journey.

Sep 16 2025

Survivin’ and Thrivin’

2025-2026, Maddy Rash

105

Maddy Rash, 2025-26 VP

When I sat down to write this blog, I wasn’t sure how to start. Honestly, beginnings trip me up sometimes, but once I get going, I’m fine. Maybe you’ve felt the same way before.

Back in high school, I remember looking at state officers like they were celebrities. They seemed perfect: calm, confident and put together. I thought their lives were stress-free and ideal. But when it came time for me to step into these shoes, I quickly realized how wrong I was.

Life has come at me fast. Interviews, Convention, graduation, training, camps and now, college. Each brought challenges I never could have predicted. And let me tell you, college hit me harder than I expected. Suddenly, I was navigating situations I never imagined, and it hasn’t been easy.

But here’s what I’ve learned: being a state officer doesn’t make me any different from you. I’m not above the struggles of everyday life. I get stressed, overwhelmed and lost at times, too. The title doesn’t erase the bumps in the road – it just means I get to walk through them alongside you.

At the end of the day, state officers are students, friends and people trying to figure things out just like you are. We’re not perfect. We face the same challenges, take the same unexpected detours and keep moving forward the same way you do.

Together, we’re all survivin’ and thrivin’.

Sep 15 2025

Don’t Let Comparison be the Thief of Your Joy

2025-2026, Abigayle Lett

103

Abigayle Lett, 2025-26 VP

I still remember the excitement I felt when I was in sixth grade and my oldest cousin joined FFA. I thought it was the coolest thing ever. From the jackets to the early morning FFA events and the excitement of barnwarming, I couldn’t wait. But when my time finally came, the excitement fell quickly. Instead of feeling proud, I felt behind.

I didn’t have an impressive Supervised Agricultural Experience. I barely knew anything about agriculture, let alone leadership. I started doubting myself. Every shortcoming felt huge and, slowly, comparison began stealing the joy I once felt in ag class. A place I had loved became a place where I was constantly asking for help just to understand.

As I stepped into the next year, something shifted. I found areas where I thrived and some of my classmates struggled. Slowly, I started to see that everyone struggles somewhere. Maybe you are great in the greenhouse but lost in animal science. Maybe you’ve never touched a welding torch but you light up during a speech. I started to understand that success in FFA doesn’t just follow one path. Just as I was beginning to look at things differently, one of my best friends shared a quote with me. “Don’t let comparison be the thief of your joy.” It hit me hard. I had been so focused on what I wasn’t that I forgot to appreciate who I was and how far I had come.

Whether you’re just starting your FFA journey or finishing your final year, I hope you always remember this:

Stop comparing. Start growing.
Your journey is yours alone.
You are good enough!

Keep showing up. Keep trying your best and above all, don’t let comparison steal the joy YOU have earned.

Aug 20 2025

From Smoke to Strategy

2025-2026, Braxton Watts

104

Braxton Watts, 2025-26 VP

In the fire service, we train for what we hope never happens. But sometimes, the best lessons come when you don’t even realize you’re being tested.

One evening during a monthly meeting at our volunteer fire station, we were discussing upcoming events with our chief when all of a sudden, someone noticed smoke rising outside the back window. Without hesitation, I jumped into one of the firetrucks and sat in the passenger seat, adrenaline rushing, waiting for someone to drive.

But no one came.

I sat there, ready to respond, while the rest of the crew stayed back and observed the flames. What I didn’t know was that our fire chief had orchestrated a training scenario. He asked a volunteer to start a controlled burn and told the crew to respond as if it were real. So while I sat in the truck, my team was evaluating the fire.

Eventually, someone joined me in the truck, and we rolled around the building and began our response. Once we were on the scene, our previous training kicked in and we handled it smoothly. But the moment stuck with me.

I realized then that being ready isn’t just about acting fast. It’s about knowing when and how to act. That lesson has followed me far beyond the fire station.

In FFA, we’re often put in situations where we’re eager to lead, whether it’s jumping into a new role, joining a contest or taking charge during a project. But sometimes, leadership means slowing down, reading the room and trusting the process.

Our leadership roles, SAEs, CDEs and even the unexpected moments, they’re all part of our training. They prepare us not just to react, but to respond with intention.

In life and in leadership, the most meaningful growth doesn’t always come during the fire, it comes in the moments right before it.

Aug 19 2025

Drive to Feed Kids

Trending Now

Missouri FFA joined forces with Missouri Farmers Care and Feeding Missouri through the Drive to Feed Kids for an impactful State Day of Service at the Missouri State Fair!

WHAT IS THE DRIVE TO FEED KIDS?

The Drive to Feed Kids successfully launched in 2017 and built collaborative partnerships among non-profit organizations and agriculture businesses who have committed to standing in the gap of food insecurity. In rural Missouri, as many as one in six people face food insecurity. Among children, the numbers are even higher. In parts of Missouri, one in three children face food insecurity on a regular basis. In an effort to combat childhood food insecurity, Missouri Farmers Care leveraged the existing food bank distribution networks to deliver kid-friendly meals to youth through backpack programs and in-school food pantries. Missouri FFA joined the effort through an annual State Day of Service meal packing event at the Missouri State Fair!

THE VOLUNTEERS

This yearly meal packing event would not be possible without continuous supporters and volunteers. This year, they included:

600 FFA members from 70 chapters
Over 90 additional volunteers ‘
Governor Kehoe and the Governor’s Cabinet
State Board of Education
Director of Agriculture Chris Chinn
Missouri Highway Patrol
Missouri Farmers Care
Missouri State Fair
Feeding Missouri
Missouri’s agricultural organizations

This year’s State Day of Service meal packing event yielded 177,792 meals, breaking our goal of 175,000!

HOW YOU CAN HELP

The Drive to Feed Kids opens a door for every Missourian to make a difference in the fight against hunger in our state. All proceeds are dedicated to Feeding Missouri’s network food banks who work daily to alleviate hunger, and every dollar makes a difference in our Missouri communities. Learn more at https://mofarmerscare.com/drive/.

Aug 18 2025

Shoulders Back, Head High

2025-2026, Cash Honeycutt

103

Cash Honeycutt, 2025-26 VP

“Pull your shoulder’s back Cash, walk with confidence.” My mother was always on me about my awful posture growing up. I often walked and stood with my shoulders slumped down like a child pouting in the corner. I would always roll my eyes and say, “It’s fine, Mom,” as I ignored the advice that she had given me. However, she was always insistent that it mattered and people were always paying attention whether you thought so or not. Confidence is key, no matter what you’re doing, as I soon found out.

Growing up, one thing I loved was bull riding. The PBR and legends like J.B Mauney were the coolest things to me, and I hoped one day I could do that too. My dad had actually rodeoed quite a bit through his childhood and eventually, after a lot of begging, he reluctantly allowed me to begin steer riding, which is for youth too young for the large bulls yet. I had not been long when I found myself in Barnard, Missouri for a weekend. I had already gotten bucked off and stepped on Saturday, so I was hoping to have a good day on Sunday. However, as I made my way to the draw sheet, I realized I had drawn the toughest steer in the pen. Fear quickly consumed me and as the event got closer, it only got worse. Soon enough, I was lowering myself into the chute and wrapping my hand in the bull rope. Still consumed with fear, I nodded my head; in an instant I felt myself land on the dirt head first. A broken rib and concussion later, I was going to be out for a while.

I eventually made a comeback and rode a few more steers before realizing it just wasn’t for me like I had thought it would be. But I learned an important lesson – looking back on that day, had I been confident in my abilities and went into it with a more open mind, I might not have ridden that steer, but I believe it wouldn’t have turned out nearly as bad as it did. As we go through our journeys in FFA and life, we might be thrown into situations we don’t feel ready for. However, if you have an open mind and the confidence to try, nothing will be able to stand in your way.

Aug 17 2025

Stay Competitive

2025-2026, Gage Swindler

103

Gage Swindler, 2025-26 VP

For as long as I can remember, I have always loved playing sports. As I grew older, I became more and more invested in my sports teams, which built me into the competitive person I am today. In high school, my two favorite sports to play were football and baseball. I was lucky enough to be surrounded by a close group of friends that also had very similar competitive mindsets. We were dedicated to our team and we were going to give it everything we had in order to hopefully win. Throughout our four years of high school, this competitive mindset allowed us to achieve a lot of success for our small school.

When I started my FFA journey my freshman year, it didn’t take me long to put this competitive mindset I had developed to use, whether it was fall speeches, spring CDEs and LDEs or even just playing games at my chapter’s barnwarming. I enjoyed being surrounded by other members who had that same competitive mindset we use to chase our goals. I have been able to meet a lot of great people and make a lot of good friends by competing against them at FFA contests or sporting events, many of whom I still talk to today. While we are being competitive, it is important we continue to be mindful of others and don’t allow our competitiveness to get in the way of friendships. When you look back, those friendships are what you are going to remember the most.

I encourage you all to stay competitive and use it to chase your goals.

Aug 15 2025

Success is a Mindset

2025-2026, Taylor Nothdurft

104

Taylor Nothdurft, 2025-26 VP

I used to think success was about being perfect, crossing all the “t’s” and dotting all the “i’s” and achieving all the goals. In high school, I’d find myself overanalyzing what I could’ve done better even when I’d done something I was truly proud of. Being a state officer has shifted this. I’ve come to understand success isn’t about being perfect. It’s about enjoying the ride and learning from every experience.

I know success is mental. It’s about embracing the imperfection and learning to be happy with the progress you do achieve when things do not go as planned. Instead of stressing about what I cannot change, I opt to go with the flow and find the silver lining in every situation. Success is in the attempting, the gaining of knowledge, and in being able to step back, breathe and smile at where you have gotten.

Success is a process and not a destination. It’s persistence, not perfection. So, to all who think they are just not there yet, remember: your mindset defines your success. Take pride in your journey. Celebrate those small wins and never forget to enjoy the moment.

Jul 22 2025

Stop and Smell the Roses

2025-2026, Ryatt Haggerman

103

Ryatt Haggerman, 2025-26 Secretary

If you have ever met me, you know I love to take in each and every moment, no matter how small it might be. I was not always this way, though, and it has taken me a long time to realize we all need to slow down every once and awhile and live in the moment. I started to understand how important this was toward the end of my junior year of high school when I saw my time in high school was coming to a close. I realized the next year was going to be filled with a lot of lasts. My last fall speech, my last spring contest season, and even my last year serving as a chapter officer. But I also realized I never really stopped to enjoy those different moments for the past three years I had been part of them.

Over the past three years, I had been looking at what the next step was. Always asking the question, what was the next big thing I could be a part of? It never occurred to me that I was living in the moments that were worth slowing down for. We all know life can get pretty busy; sometimes it feels like we have a million different things needing our attention. It is when all we start focusing all of our energy on is all of these different problems and responsibilities that we forget to live in the moment.

I am not asking us to always be perfect when it comes to living in the moment. All of us have times of uncertainty where we can’t help but worry about the future. All I am asking is that we try to stop and smell the roses a little more often.

Missouri is well represented at the upcoming 2025 National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana

AGRISCIENCE FAIR – 9 FINALISTS

PROFICIENCY AWARDS – 13 FINALISTS

NATIONAL CHAPTER AWARDS

CDE/LDE PARTICIPANTS

2025 MISSOURI TIDBITS

Congratulations to the 2025-26 FFA in the USA Reporters. Throughout the school year, our reporters will cover all things FFA in their chapters and communities. You can read their stories and more on our FFA in the USA webpage.

Stressed or Blessed

Persist

The City Behind You

Loosen the Grip

Ka-Chow

Survivin’ and Thrivin’

Don’t Let Comparison be the Thief of Your Joy

From Smoke to Strategy

Missouri FFA joined forces with Missouri Farmers Care and Feeding Missouri through the Drive to Feed Kids for an impactful State Day of Service at the Missouri State Fair!

WHAT IS THE DRIVE TO FEED KIDS?

THE VOLUNTEERS

This year’s State Day of Service meal packing event yielded 177,792 meals, breaking our goal of 175,000!

HOW YOU CAN HELP

Shoulders Back, Head High

Stay Competitive

Success is a Mindset

Stop and Smell the Roses

Step Into The Arena

Pulling the Weeds

The Power of Gratitude

Your Team Will Rally Around You

Missouri FFA Association

Join Our Email List

MO Team Ag Ed Partner Organizations