National Proficiencies Awarded at FFA Convention
Published: Friday, October 30, 2026
Indiana and Michigan FFA members earned gold, silver and bronze ratings in the 2026 FFA Proficiency Awards, recognizing their accomplishments and hands-on experiences in agricultural career areas.
A total of 38 members from chapters across Indiana were recognized for their work in areas ranging from agricultural production and mechanics to animal science, horticulture, natural resources and agricultural business.
Twelve members earned gold ratings, 18 received silver ratings and eight earned bronze ratings. Five Indiana members were also named National Finalists.
The Indiana gold-rated members include Jesus Santana of North Miami FFA in agricultural educatiop—entrepreneurship/placement; Chloe Jordan of Maconaquah FFA in diversified crop production—entrepreneurship; Clark Showalter of Manchester Chapter FFA in forest management and products—entrepreneurship/placement; Michael Briggs of Madison FFA in goat production—entrepreneurship/placement; and Kylee Reeves of Southmont FFA in landscape installation—entrepreneurship/placement.
Also receiving a gold-rating status are: Avery Yeager of Clinton Central FFA in poultry production—entrepreneurship/placement; Lindsay Petersen of Tippecanoe Valley FFA in sheep production—entrepreneurship/placement; Gracie Patterson of Randolph Central FFA in specialty crop production—entrepreneurship/placement; Jackson Ritter of Mt. Vernon—Fortville FFA in swine production —entrepreneurship; Luke Barber of Western FFA in vegetable production—entrepreneurship/placement; and Emma Woodall of South Putnam FFA in veterinary science—entrepreneurship/placement.
Four of the gold-rated members were also named national finalists: Jesus Santana, Kylee Reeves, Jackson Ritter and Luke Barber.
Silver ratings were earned by Abby Ferguson of Madison FFA in agricultural processing; Henry Pfeiffer of NorthWood FFA in agricultural mechanics repair and maintenance—placement; Jared Enda of East Central Chapter FFA in agricultural sales—entrepreneuship; Juliana McIntire of Argos FFA in agricultural sales—placement; Jenna Lawler of Rushville FFA in agriscience research—integated systems; Baron Riley of Crothersville FFA in agriscience research—plant systems; Lillian Cloud of Tipton FFA in beef production—entrepreneurship; and Kaitlin Lamb of Northwood FFA in dairy production—entrepreneurship.
Daniel Simpson and Amarah Shannon of Southmont FFA in their respective agricultural production and horticulture categories; Owen Denni of Batesville FFA in diversified crop production—placement; Saige
Cummins of West Washington FFA in equine science—entrepreneurship; Mason Fruechte of Adams Central FFA in fiber and/or oil crop production; Cora Nobbe of Connersville FFA in fruit production; and Jack Kelsay of Whiteland Chapter FFA in outdoor recreation were also tapped for silver-level recognition.
Additional silver-rated members include: Zephira Pfenning of West Noble FFA in service-learning; Katie Hodgen of North Putnam FFA in specialty animal production; Tiffany Hicks of Eastern Hancock FFA in swine production —placement; Nathan McGowen and Rosco Redding of Shenandoah FFA in Turf and landscape maintenance and forage production, respectively.
Bronze ratings were earned by Abby Ferguson and Vinson Phagan of Madison FFA in agricultural mechanics design and fabrication and agricultural mechanics repair and maintenance, respectively; Lilyann Peters of William Henry Harrison FFA in environmental science and natural resources management; Owen Schlageter of Whiteland Chapter FFA in equine science—placement; Kassandra Small of South Knox FFA in grain production; Colton Woerner of Shenandoah FFA in nursery operations; and Kenzie Meyers of Connersville FFA in wildlife production and management.
Michigan FFA members also earned gold, silver and bronze ratings in the 2026 FFA Proficiency Awards. A total of 29 award entries from FFA chapters across Michigan were recognized for achievement in areas ranging from agricultural mechanics and animal production to environmental science, horticulture and agricultural business.
Three members earned gold ratings, seven received silver ratings and 19 earned bronze ratings. One Michigan member was also named a national finalist.
The gold-rated members include Adison Sturm of Kent Career Tech Center FFA in environmental science and natural resources management—entrepreneurship/placement; Madison Hoard of Tuscola Tech Center FFA in equine science—entrepreneurship; and Miranda Bloomquist of Breckenridge FFA in small animal production and care —entrepreneurship/placement.
Hoard was also named a national finalist, earning special recognition for her achievements in equine science.
Silver ratings were earned by Adilynn Peterson of Montague FFA in agricultural sales—placement; Ryder Cornett of Jonesville FFA in agriscience research —integrated systems; Katelyn Welter of Sanilac FFA in dairy production—placement; Austin Preston of Branch Area Career Center FFA in diversified agricultural production—entrepreneurship/pacement; and Ellise Wedge of Hopkins FFA in forest management and products—entrepreneurship/placement.
Additional silver ratings were earned by Veronica Abad-Dominguez of Newaygo County Career Tech Center FFA in goat production—entrepreneurship/placement; Matalynn Ellsworth of Calhoun Area FFA in poultry production—entrepreneurship/placement; Grace Torsch of Montague FFA in Turf and landscape maintenance—entrepreneurship/placement; and Phin Houghtaling of Tuscola Tech Center FFA in vegetable production—entrepreneurship/placement.
Bronze ratings were earned by Evelyn Harrand of Owosso FFA in agricultural education—entrepreneurship/placement; Guy Knoblock of Ubly FFA in agricultural mechanics design and fabrication—entrepreneurship/placement;
Griffin Messing of Ubly FFA in agricultural mechanics repair and maintenance—placement; Addison Battle of Mecosta-Osceola Career Center FFA and Maggie Allen of St. Louis FFA in beef production; Adam Senk of Owosso FFA in diversified crop production—placement; and Kiley Bieskie of Jackson Area Career Center PM FFA in diversified horticulture—entrepreneurship/placement.
Barett Yoho of Owosso FFA in diversified livestock production—entrepreneurship/placement; Cora Speer of North Ed-AM FFA in equine science—placement; Cole Herremans of Montague FFA in fruit production—entrepreneurship/placement; Lilly Tomac of Chesaning FFA in outdoor recreation—entrepreneurship/placement; Emma Wahtola of Jackson Area Career Center PM FFA in sheep production—entrepreneurship/placement; and Grace Holm of Jackson Area Career Center AM FFA in specialty animal production—entrepreneurship/placement also received bronze-level recognition.
Additional youths selected for a bronze rating include: Dana Koth of North Huron FFA in specialty crop production—entrepreneurship/placement; Mason Sparks of Fremont FFA in swine production—entrepreneurship; Kamryn Billings of Lenawee Tech Center-PM FFA in swine production—placement; and Haley Glick of Alcona FFA in veterinary science—entrepreneurship/placement.
The Proficiency Awards recognize FFA members who demonstrate outstanding skills and knowledge through their supervised agricultural experiences (SAEs). These experiences allow students to develop career-ready skills, explore agricultural industries and apply classroom learning in real-world settings.
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