Seven individuals were recognized with the Honorary State FFA Degree at the 94th Kansas FFA State Convention, June 2, 2022, on the Kansas State University campus. Recipients of the honor include: Michael Brouk, Randy Galle, Brooks Hetle, KaCee James, Chad Miller, Richard Poland, Ron Pope.
Dr. Michael Brouk is a professor and extension specialist in the K-State College of Agriculture’s department of animal sciences and industry, specializing in dairy management. He has served as the coordinator for the Dairy Cattle Career Development Event (CDE) at the state level for many years.
Randy Galle, Chief Operating Officer at Bergkamp, Inc., is retiring from the Kansas FFA Foundation Board of Trustees after six years of service. During his tenure, he served as treasurer of the Foundation Board.
Brooks Hetle served as a National Officer Coach and as the coordinator of the Employability Skills Leadership Development Event (LDE) while he was at K-State for the past nine years. He recently became the Associate Director of Residence Life at North Dakota State University.
KaCee James has taught and served as the FFA Advisor at Doniphan West, Hiawatha and, most recently, Jayhawk-Linn FFA chapters. She is the immediate past president of the Kansas Association of Agricultural Educators.
Dr. Chad Miller is an associate professor in the K-State College of Agriculture’s department of horticulture and natural resources. He specializes in floriculture, ornamentals and plant physiology and has served as the coordinator for the Floriculture CDE and the Nursery/Landscape CDE at the state level.
Richard Poland is the owner and founder of Poland Angus Ranch. From 1993 to 2021, the ranch hosted the Poland Angus Judging Contest, a high-quality contest for 4-H and FFA youth across the state of Kansas.
Dr. Ron Pope is an instructor in the K-State College of Agriculture’s department of animal sciences and industry where he specializes in beef cattle production and management and teaches the introductory animal science lab. He has been a longtime supporter of Kansas FFA and has helped with many state CDEs.
FFA VIP Citation Awards are bestowed upon individuals who have dedicated many years of service to FFA and agricultural education, supporting the leadership and experiences provided by FFA. At the 94th Kansas FFA Convention, Kurt Dillon, Eric Atkinson, and Dr. David Nichols were presented with FFA VIP Citation Awards.
Kurt Dillon served as the Kansas FFA State Advisor from 2011 to 2021. While serving as state advisor, he provided support and guidance to ag teachers across the state and advocated for Kansas FFA at the Kansas State Department of Education. He also served on the National FFA Board of Directors. Prior to his position as State Advisor, Dillon was the agricultural education teacher at Rawlins County High School and the Atwood FFA Advisor for 23 years.
Dr. David Nichols has served as professor and teaching coordinator in the K-State College of Agriculture’s department of animal sciences and industry. In addition, he coached the K-State livestock judging team from 1986 to 1988 and has judged numerous county, state, and national shows. He serves on the board of directors for the Kansas Junior Livestock Show and the American Royal.
Erik Atkinson has been hosting the daily, hour-long radio program “Agriculture Today” since 1983. Airing across Kansas, Oklahoma, Colorado, and Nebraska, ”Agriculture Today” features agricultural specialists at K-State and other experts examining agricultural issues facing Kansas and the nation. Mr. Atkinson has also produced a weekly audio feature series covering agriculture, forestry, and wildlife management.