The Agricultural Proficiency Awards in the area of Animal Systems featured projects ranging from an endangered swine breed program to a velveteen lop rabbit operation and gave FFA members an opportunity to pursue their passions through their Supervised Agricultural Experiences (SAE).
In Session 4 of the 97th National FFA Convention & Expo, proficiency finalists from Goat Production, Poultry Production, Sheep Production, Small Animal Production and Care, Specialty Animal Production, Swine Production – Entrepreneurship, Swine Production – Placement, and Veterinary Science were recognized and the winners for each category were announced.
- In Goat Production, the winner was Addyson Schneberger from Hydro-Eakly FFA in Oklahoma.
- In Poultry Production, the winner was Nathan Hutchison from Madera-Liberty FFA in California.
- In Sheep Production, the winner was Kaylee Dunn from Canyon FFA in Texas
- In Small Animal Production and Care, the winner was Presley Merritt from Anna FFA in Texas.
- In Specialty Animal Production, the winner was Max Landon from Durham FFA in California.
- In Swine Production – Entrepreneurship, the winner was Hannah Miller from Prairie Central FFA in Illinois.
- In Swine Production – Placement, the winner was Tucker Leck from Neodesha FFA in Kansas.
- In Veterinary Science, the winner was Emma Brandenburg from Felicity-Franklin FFA in Ohio.
These members are truly “learning to do, doing to learn,” They have logged thousands of hours learning skills to excel in the agriculture industry and are now taking the initiative to step up as the next generation of agricultural leaders.
Addyson Schneberger’s goat operation in Oklahoma started small but has grown to include about 45 goats overall; she learned to utilize reproductive technologies such as in vitro fertilization.
“It starts at the farm, being able to take care of the livestock and animals every single day and go from the ground up, getting those animals raised and selling them and seeing FFA members be successful with them,” she says.
Emma Brandenburg’s project started with a job as a kennel technician at the Rolling Hills Veterinary Service in rural southern Ohio, where she has now been promoted to a veterinary assistant position, running diagnostic tests and assisting in surgical procedures. “Definitely a lot of time and effort into this SAE,” she says. “You know, first starting out, you kind of just think it’s a job, and then you apply, and you don’t ever really think it’s going to get to this point of view. So that’s a really, really nice thing to see.”
Presley Merritt’s project focuses not only on her velveteen lop rabbit operation but also on youth engagement. “That’s a big thing that I try to focus on. I host workshops, and I help them with their own breeding goals and aspirations,” she says.
Tucker Leck is currently the herd manager for a swine production enterprise in southeast Kansas, where he works to produce show pigs for 4-H and FFA members across the country. His operation also focuses on preserving the endangered Meishan pig breed, with 34 piglets raised so far.
“I’m just so happy to connect with FFA members across the entire country, be able to improve our marketing strategies and investment in the future long term and then build out long term retention,” he says.
All of the proficiency winners noted that their projects would not be possible without support from their families and advisors, and Leck in particular dedicated his win to those at home.
“My overview of this SAE and of FFA in general is it’s not about me, it’s about everyone at home who maybe doesn’t get the voice or the recognition that they deserve for being in agriculture,” he says. “My hope is just to share with them that this victory isn’t just mine. It’s yours too. Together as a swine industry, we still have a place in society, and we have a significant place in the future of production and of livestock industry.”
