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

  • Nell Goss, Ellsworth – North Central
  • Faith McMannis, Canton-Galva – South Central

Agricultural Education

Sponsored by the Kurt Dillon Family and Harmon Bliss Family

  • Erica Lieb, Pike Valley – North Central
  • Kenzie Kalb, Maize – South Central
  • James Marquardt, Greeley County – Southwest

Agricultural Mechanics Design and Fabrication

Sponsored by Versatile

  • Ethan Fisher, Shawnee Heights – East Central
  • Clay Guttery, Osborne – Northwest
  • Cooper Springer, Neodesha – Southeast

Agricultural Mechanics Repair and Maintenance – Placement

Sponsored by Kan-Equip

  • Liam Voelker, Linn – North Central
  • Gage Elliott, Buhler – South Central
  • Cooper Newby, Labette County – Southeast

Agricultural Processing

Sponsored by Santa Fe Trail Meats

  • Lanie Menold, Sabetha – Northeast
  • Coal VanZant, South Haven – South Central
  • Welch Murphy, West Elk – Southeast

Agricultural Sales ‐ Placement

Sponsored by Stewart Family Farm

  • Eli Olander, Southeast of Saline – North Central
  • Carly Bohlken, Marysville – Northeast
  • Anna Doyon, Maize – South Central

Agricultural Services

Sponsored by Farm Credit Associations of Kansas

  • Brody Brecheisen, Eudora – East Central
  • Mason Willard, Manhattan – North Central
  • Emmarie Ginest, Stafford – South Central

Agriscience Research ‐ Animal Systems

Sponsored by the Kansas FFA Foundation

  • Kayleigh Goggins, Junction City – North Central

Agriscience Research ‐ Integrated Systems

Sponsored by the Kansas FFA Foundation

  • Hannah Huddleston, Junction City – North Central

Agriscience Research ‐ Plant Systems

Sponsored by Pioneer-Corteva Agriscience

  • Jodi Donley, Ellsworth – North Central
  • Jaycob Dieker, Canton-Galva – South Central 

Beef Production ‐ Entrepreneurship

Sponsored by Sam and Janet Hands

  • Tava Gustafson, Chapman – North Central
  • Addison Bontrager, Holton – Northeast
  • Cole Dieball, Little River – South Central

Beef Production ‐ Placement

Sponsored by Tiffany Cattle Company

  • Parker Schwarz, Prairie View – East Central
  • Madyson Runyon, Phillipsburg – Northwest
  • Taylor Gudde, Labette County – Southeastl

Dairy Production ‐ Entrepreneurship

Sponsored by Kansas Dairy

  • Lauren Benfer, Clay Center – North Central 

Dairy Production ‐ Placement

Sponsored by Kansas Dairy

  • Lauren Benfer, Clay Center – North Central 
  • Hailey Wells, Cheney – South Central

Diversified Agricultural Production

Sponsored by Triangle H Farms In Memory of Greg Hands

  • Logan Leiker, Hays – Northwest
  • Tucker Schlatter, Buhler – South Central
  • Taylor Gudde, Labette County – Southeast 

Diversified Crop Production ‐ Entrepreneurship

Sponsored by Harris Crop Insurance

  • Charles Strauss, Chapman – North Central 

Diversified Crop Production ‐ Production

Sponsored by Kansas Corn

  • Brittney Dibben, Junction City – North Central
  • Jacob O’Trimble,  Perry-Lecompton – Northeast
  • Gavin Foster, Labette County – Southeast

Diversified Horticulture

Sponsored by MTI Greenhouse Solutions

  • Dakota Hittle, Royal Valley – Northeast
  • Alexis Andrew, Buhler – South Central
  • McKynlee Baker, Labette County – Southeast

Diversified Livestock Production

Sponsored by Hutchinson Community College

  • Madison Johnson, Phillipsburg – Northwest
  • Kyser Nemecek, Iola – Southeast
  • Ethan Petersilie, La Crosse – Southwest

Environmental Science and Natural Resources Management

Sponsored by Midwest Ford Dealers Association

  • Conner Hoelting, Mission Valley – East Central
  • Isabelle Rogge, Linn – North Central
  • Alexander Dolechek, Labette County – Southeast

Equine Science ‐ Entrepreneurship

Sponsored by Harms Plainview Ranch

  • Kira Johnson, Paola – East Central
  • Karli Haase, Ellsworth – North Central
  • Cashlee Smith, Labette County – Southeast

Equine Science ‐ Placement

Sponsored by United Mosquito and Fly Control

  • Stetson Miller, Central Heights  – East Central
  • John Svaty, Ellsworth – North Central
  • Clara Seiler, Andale – South Central 

Fiber and/or Oil Crop Production

Sponsored by Kansas Soybean

  • Brittney Dibben, Junction City – North Central

Forage Production

Sponsored by Kansas Forage and Grassland Council, Inc.

  • Kylie Hines, Paola – East Central
  • Dawson Strunk, Washington County – North Central
  • Darren Bausch, Royal Valley – Northeast

Forest Management and Products

Sponsored by Kansas Forest Service

  • McKenzie Baker, Washington County – North Central
  • Tristan Schlodder, Holton – Northeast
  • Colton Newton, Neodesha – Southeast

Fruit and Nut Production

Sponsored by Sturgis Enterprises

  • Abigail Gaston, Chapman – North Central 

Goat Production

Sponsored by Kevin Davis Family

  • Ella Neher, Hays – Northwest
  • Allison Simon, Andale – South Central
  • Jaci Falkenstien, Labette County – Southeast

Grain Production

Sponsored by Kansas Wheat Commission

  • Aiden Sweet, Clay Center – North Central
  • Arika Feldman, Little River – South Central
  • Audra Oborny, La Crosse – Southwest

Landscape Installation

Sponsored by Lawrence Landscape

  • Will Voos, Sabetha – Northeast

Nursery Operations

Sponsored by Hummert International

  • Truman Schneider, Jayhawk-Linn – East Central
  • Addilyn Lefferd, Royal Valley – Northeast

Poultry Production

Sponsored by Tractor Supply Co.

  • Dalton Peters, Holton – Northeast
  • Clara Seiler, Andale – South Central
  • Abigail Dolechek, Labette County – Southeast

Service‐Learning

Sponsored by Seitz Fundraising

  • Landon Baetz, Lakeside – Northwest 
  • Lillian Triboulet, West Elk – Southeast

Sheep Production

Sponsored by Hobbs Show Lambs

  • Mackenzie Krueger, Burlington – East Central
  • Kylie Stone, Republic County – North Central
  • Miley Baumgartel, Eureka – Southeast 

Small Animal Production and Care

Sponsored by Animal Health Center of Marion County

  • Jonathan Wright, Washington County – North Central
  • Emily Biggs, Perry-Lecompton – Northeast
  • Maggie Votruba, Greeley County – Southwest

Specialty Animal Production

Sponsored by Prairie School Farms

  • Jibran Khmous, Manhattan – North Central
  • Laramie Self, Jackson Heights – Northeast
  • Elliette Nelson, Maize – South Central

Swine Production‐Entrepreneurship

Sponsored by Kansas Pork Association

  • Hadley Huseman, Ellsworth – North Central
  • Ashton Neill, Atchison County – Northeast
  • Cooper Jones, Buhler – South Central 

Swine Production‐Placement

Sponsored by Kansas Pork Association

  • Natalie Sleichter, Clay Center – North Central
  • Colby Stoller, Sabetha – Northeast
  • Landon Baetz, Lakeside – Northwest

Turf and Landscape Maintenance

Sponsored by Sod Shop Inc.

  • Easton Ford, Manhattan – North Central
  • Isaac Hight, Marysville – Northeast
  • Lizzy Vajnar, Hays – Northwest

Vegetable Production

Sponsored by From the Land of Kansas Program

  • Kade Pearson, Beloit – North Central
  • Emily Hare, Buhler – South Central

Veterinary Science

Sponsored by Kansas Veterinary Medical Association

  • Kasey Ohlde, Clay Center – North Central
  • Koree Stuke, Nemaha Central – Northeast
  • Eliza Rosenhagen, Cheney – South Central

Wildlife Production and Management

Sponsored by the Kansas FFA Foundation

  • Grant Warner, Holton – Northeast
  • Sadie Aylward, Andale – South Central
  • Jaya Fiscus, Labette County – Southeast