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Proficiency Finalists

Proficiency awards honor FFA members who, through supervised agricultural experiences, have developed specialized skills that they can apply toward their future careers. Up to three finalists are chosen for recognition at state convention, with the winner being announced during session.

Agricultural Communications

Sponsored by the Kansas Farmer Magazine

  • Blaine King, Crest – East Central 
  • Lillian Hulse, Minneapolis – North Central 
  • Sophia Kasella, Ashland – Southwest 

Agricultural Education

Sponsored by the Kurt Dillon Family and Harmon Bliss Family

  • Josie Strauss, Chapman – North Central 
  • Nora Bosse, Wamego – Northeast 
  • Maggie Chandler, Neodesha – Southeast 

Agricultural Mechanics Design and Fabrication

Sponsored by Kan-Equip

  • Parker Embree, Prairie View – East Central 
  • Gavyn Ryals, Clay Center – North Central 
  • Clay Guttery, Osborne – Northwest 

Agricultural Mechanics Repair and Maintenance – Placement

Sponsored by Kan-Equip

  • Joseph Kern, Washington County – North Central 
  • Jorgan Schiltz, Oakley – Northwest
  • Gage Elliott, Buhler – South Central

Agricultural Processing

Sponsored by Santa Fe Trail Meats

  • Isabella Stolle, Prairie View – East Central
  • Eve Bailey, Sabetha – Northeast

Agricultural Sales ‐ Entrepreneurship

Sponsored by Harris Crop Insurance

  • Cooper Burling, Eudora – East Central 

Agricultural Sales ‐ Placement

Sponsored by Stewart Family Farm

  • Kara Helms, Paola – East Central 
  • Landon Albrecht, Southeast of Saline – North Central 
  • Mason Taylor, Maize – South Central 

Agricultural Services

Sponsored by Farm Credit Associations of Kansas

  • Brittney Dibben, Junction City – North Central 
  • Kruce Liddeke, Norwich – South Central 
  • Sophia Wedel, Leoti – Southwest 

Agriscience Research ‐ Plant Systems

Sponsored by Pioneer-Corteva Agriscience

  • Keira Gliniecki, Junction City – North Central 

Beef Production ‐ Entrepreneurship

Sponsored by Sam and Janet Hands

  • Tava Gustafson, Chapman – North Central 
  • Dustin Denton, Valley Heights – Northeast 
  • Emma Karst, Russell – Northwest 

Beef Production ‐ Placement

Sponsored by Tiffany Cattle Company

  • Will Donley, Ellsworth – North Central 
  • Adelaide Haverkamp, Nemaha Central – Northeast
  • Jackson McCurry, Andale – South Central

Dairy Production ‐ Entrepreneurship

Sponsored by Kansas Dairy

  • Lauren Benfer, Clay Center – North Central 
  • Alexandria Kester, Royal Valley – Northeast 

Dairy Production ‐ Placement

Sponsored by Kansas Dairy

  • Lauren Benfer, Clay Center – North Central 
  • Lauren Bowles, Sabetha – Northeast 
  • Krysten Hamby, Buhler – South Central 

Diversified Agricultural Production

Sponsored by Triangle H Farms

  • Lucas White, Holton – Northeast 
  • Curtis Herzog, Little River – South Central 
  • Mason Springer, Neodesha – Southeast 

Diversified Crop Production ‐ Placement

Sponsored by Kansas Corn

  • Kourtney Dibben, Junction City – North Central 
  • Arika Feldman, Little River – South Central 
  • Gavin Foster, Labette County – Southeast 

Diversified Horticulture

Sponsored by MTI Greenhouse Solutions

  • Dakota Hittle, Royal Valley – Northeast 
  • Emilee Remmers, Centre – South Central 

Diversified Livestock Production

Sponsored by Hutchinson Community College

  • Lora Larison, Holton – Northeast
  • Maggie Chandler, Neodesha – Southeast 
  • Sebastian Castillo, Garden City – Southwest 

Equine Science ‐ Entrepreneurship

Sponsored by Harms Plainview Ranch

  • Alexandra Buckley, Chapman – North Central 
  • Cashlee Smith, Labette County – Southeast 

Equine Science ‐ Placement

Sponsored by United Mosquito and Fly Control

  • Mary Jane Britz, Prairie View – East Central 
  • John Svaty, Ellsworth – North Central 
  • Aubrey Kirmse, Perry-Lecompton – Northeast 

Fiber and/or Oil Crop Production

Sponsored by the Kansas FFA Foundation

  • Kourtney Dibben, Junction City – North Central

Forage Production

Sponsored by Kansas Forage and Grassland Council, Inc.

  • Avarielle Hightower, Prairie View – East Central 
  • Karson Sasse, Smith Center – Northwest 
  • Sierra Hill, Labette County – Southeast 

Forest Management and Products

Sponsored by Kansas Forest Service

  • Dalton Lingenfelter, Marais des Cygnes – East Central 
  • McKenzie Baker, Washington County – North Central 

Fruit and Nut Production

Sponsored by Sturgis Enterprises

  • Bree Allen, Prairie View – East Central 
  • Abigail Gaston, Chapman – North Central 

Goat Production

Sponsored by Kevin Davis Family

  • Kadance Shelton, Prairie View – East Central 
  • Erika Wiese, Cheney – South Central 

Grain Production

Sponsored by Kansas Wheat Commission

  • Aiden Sweet, Clay Center – North Central 
  • Kyler Murphy, Norwich – South Central 
  • Gage Sorensen, Garden City – Southwest 

Landscape Installation

Sponsored by Lawrence Landscape

  • Noah Bartel, Holton – Northeast

Nursery Operations

Sponsored by Hummert International

  • Jansen Gerstner, Frankfort – Northeast

Outdoor Recreation

Sponsored by John Deere

  • Ellie Baska, Paola – East Central 
  • Estelle Bass, Perry-Lecompton – Northeast 

Poultry Production

Sponsored by Tractor Supply Co.

  • Kennedy Moreland, Junction City – North Central 
  • Kaylee Eberhart, Labette County – Southeast 
  • Audra Oborny, La Crosse – Southwest 

Service‐Learning

Sponsored by Seitz Fundraising

  • Ava Gustin, Mission Valley – East Central 
  • Landon Baetz, Lakeside – Northwest 

Sheep Production

Sponsored by Hobbs Show Lambs

  • David Hays, Perry-Lecompton – Northeast 
  • Cashlee Smith, Labette County – Southeast 
  • Emily Dryden, Holcomb – Southwest 

Small Animal Production and Care

Sponsored by Animal Health Center of Marion County

  • Sadie Ellis, Prairie View – East Central 
  • Shianne Kimball, Holton – Northeast 
  • Maggie Votruba, Greeley County – Southwest 

Swine Production‐Entrepreneurship

Sponsored by Kansas Pork Association

  • Kallynn Stroup, Prairie View – East Central 
  • Ashton Neill, Atchison County – Northeast 
  • Ethan Petersilie, La Crosse – Southwest 

Swine Production‐Placement

Sponsored by Kansas Pork Association

  • Conner Hoelting, Mission Valley – East Central 
  • Natalie Sleichter, Clay Center – North Central 
  • Jacob DeRouchey, Wamego – Northeast 

Turf and Landscape Maintenance

Sponsored by Sod Shop Inc.

  • Stratton Draper, Paola – East Central 
  • Noah Bartel, Holton – Northeast
  • Lizzy Vajnar, Hays – Northwest

Vegetable Production

Sponsored by From the Land of Kansas Program

  • Lily Wiley, Labette County – Southeast 

Veterinary Science

Sponsored by Kansas Veterinary Medical Association

  • Adalyn Pfizenmaier, Clay Center – North Central 
  • Adelaide Haverkamp, Nemaha Central – Northeast 
  • Kara Cape, Hutchinson CTE Academy – South Central 

Wildlife Production and Management

Sponsored by Ducks Unlimited

  • Colby Stoller, Sabetha, Northeast 
  • Payton Huffman, Buhler – South Central 
  • Jaya Fiscus, Labette County – Southeast