Hoosier Youth Wins Proficiency Award at Convention
Published: Friday, November 28, 2025
Seven winners of the 2025 National FFA Agricultural Proficiency Awards were named during the second session of the 98th National FFA Convention and Expo on Oct. 30 in Indianapolis.
Agricultural proficiency awards honor FFA members who, through Supervised Agricultural Experiences (SAEs), have developed specialized skills that they can apply toward their future careers. Students compete in areas ranging from agricultural communications to wildlife management. Proficiency awards are also recognized at local and state levels and provide recognition to members exploring and becoming established in agricultural career pathways.
Today, awards were announced for seven of the 45 categories during the second general convention session.
Agricultural communications—entrepreneurship/placement, Ellie Julia Taylor of the Hamilton Southeastern FFA in Indiana oversees her chapter's social media accounts, website and print media. She has developed many skills related to agricultural communications that she plans to utilize in her future professional career in that field. Taylor is supported by parents, Bill and Tabetha, and FFA advisors Caroline Mills, Tom Younts and Cindy Nunez.
Agricultural sales—entrepreneurship, Cora Hoffschneider of the Centennial FFA in Nebraska operates a Christmas tree retail business, A Tree & A Truck. Hoffschneider purchases live Christmas trees and wreaths from a tree farm in Minnesota and resells them. Hoffschneider's SAE has grown her skills in customer service, marketing, accounting, plant maintenance and risk management. Hoffschneider is supported by her parents, Chad and Lana, and her FFA advisor, Holly Podliska.
Agricultural sales—placement, Kenzie Mowery of the Chickasha FFA in Oklahoma has worked in sales and design at Life in Bloom Florals for three years. Mowery's increasing responsibilities have included cleaning and disinfecting, organizing and conducting weekly inventory and taking orders, as well as processing flowers, creating arrangements, and managing the store's opening and closing duties. Mowery is supported by her parents, Ken and Bridget, and her FFA advisors, Emily Schmidt, Kolby Schmidt and Mark McPeak.
Agricultural services—entrepreneurship/placement, Chase Hall of the Clopton FFA in Missouri owns and operates a division of Hall Ag Services, LLC. Hall provides farmers with application services, including fungicide and pesticide spraying and granular application of cover crops, fertilizers and other dry products. Hall's SAE has allowed him to build skills in business management, recordkeeping, leadership, marketing, customer and service, problem-solving. Hall is supported by his parents, Jason and Lynn, and his FFA advisor, Kaylee Calvin.
Agricultural education—entrepreneurship/placement, Lynn Dyer of the Higginsville FFA in Missouri hopes to become a high school agriculture teacher and FFA advisor. As a result, Dyer's SAE has involved a wide range of roles, including teacher's aide, University of Missouri Extension Agriculture Innovators Experience teen leader, Agriculture Education On the Move instructor and intern, Missouri FFA LEAD Conference facilitator, and National FFA Convention & Expo Booth volunteer. Dyer is supported by parents, Steve and Kim, and FFA advisors Adam Brock and Courtney Chaney.
Agriscience research—integrated systems, Reven Brummond of the Klein FFA in Texas conducted seven different research projects involving power structure, food products and animal systems. Brummond's experiments included ways to improve poultry healthcare through testing and research. Brummond presented her research information to 30 different groups advocating for the agriculture and poultry industry. Brummond is supported by her parents, Michael and Rebecca, and her FFA advisors, Rebecca Brummond, Michael Brummond, Tristan Bertrand, Clayton Bill and Emery Spence.
Service-learning: Maggie Mayes of the Longview FFA in Texas created Carter's Free Little Libraries, which involved Myers in building, installing and stocking small, outdoor libraries in the community with agriculturally accurate children's books. Myers expanded the libraries from one to 21 in just four years, including three traveling libraries. Mayes is supported by her parents, Todd and Paige, and her FFA advisors Gail Coulter, Alexandria Silva, Cyler Frost, Callie Daniel, Dayton Wood and Jackson Cater.
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