Kearney, Mo., February 25, 2025: The future of our community is bright based on recent accomplishments by several Bulldogs who are involved in the Future Farmers of America (FFA) organization.
Five Kearney High School students submitted applications last Wednesday, Feb. 19, for judging at the Missouri FFA Area 2 Proficiency Night in Chillicothe. Proficiency Awards are given to students who have outstanding Supervised Agriculture Experience Programs (SAEs), according to KHS FFA advisor Erica Hart.
“They compete against other students in the area who have SAEs in the same agriculture career pathway,” Mrs. Hart said. “It is always amazing to see what our students do outside of the school day.”
Proficiencies are judged by other agriculture teachers based on money earned, hours worked, skills attained, and job responsibilities. Three Bulldogs earned honors at this year’s Area 2 event:
KHS sophomore Grace Hoefler – 1st Place, Equine Science (State Qualifier)
Ms. Hoefler is employed at the Northland Therapeutic Riding Center (NRTC). She began her SAE as a volunteer at the NTRC and was offered a paid position after only a few months. “Grace really loves working with her individual students and has a passion for horsemanship,” Mrs. Hart said. She will go on stage at the 2025 State FFA Convention, where she will be awarded her plaque.
KHS junior David Sempek – 3rd Place, Ag Mechanics and Maintenance
Mr. Sempek is employed at O’Reilly’s Auto Parts in Kearney.
KHS junior Lauren Karel – 3rd Place, Food Service
Ms. Karel is employed at Pizza Shoppe in Kearney.
In addition to the excellent results at the Area 2 Proficiency Awards Night, two Bulldogs learned recently that they have been awarded significant financial grants from the FFA.
Kearney Junior High freshman Avery Lute will receive $1,000 through the National FFA SAE Grant Program from the Brett Begemann Foundation. Mr. Lute will use this money to expand his Poultry Production SAE.
KJH freshman Will Henley will receive $750 through the Missouri FFA Foundation from MFA, Inc. Mr. Henley’s SAE project is raising Corriente cattle and selling them as roping steers. The grant from the Missouri FFA Foundation will be used to supplies related to his SAE, including expanding the area for his cattle and building fence.
All FFA members are required to participate in a Supervised Agriculture Experience (SAE) which may include launching an agriculture-related business, working at an agriculture-related business, or conducting an agricultural research project. Upon completion, FFA members must submit a comprehensive report regarding their career development experience.
“These grants are invaluable because they help students kickstart their SAE projects; the stress of how they are going to fund their project is lessened because of this grant program,” Hart said. “These grants are also competitive, so it adds to a student’s confidence and drive when they know their hard work has paid off.”
In 2024, Missouri FFA members generated $69.8 million in income through their SAEs, according to Heather Dimitt-Fletcher, Executive Director of the Missouri FFA Foundation. Through their SAEs, students are launching commercial floral and produce farms, starting food truck and catering businesses, managing hundreds of acres of forest, handcrafting goods, and building substantial livestock operations.
“These projects speak to the entrepreneurial heart of our country and represent the future of agriculture,” Ms. Dimitt-Fletcher said. “FFA members generally pay the expenses associated with their SAE themselves. Many students do not have the personal financial resources needed to start or expand their projects. The learning opportunities, along with the student income generated by SAEs, are immense. That’s why the Missouri FFA Foundation’s SAE Grant program is vital. We are thankful for our partners; the MFA Inc. Charitable Foundation and the Missouri Sheep Merchandising Council, whose donations make it possible for us to provide students with grants to offset the start-up or expansion cost of their SAEs.”
The Missouri FFA Foundation secures strategic partnerships and financial resources to enhance, strengthen, and support the educational and leadership opportunities that promote premier leadership, personal growth, and career success for Missourians in Agricultural Education.