Louisiana FFA Announces State Proficiency Award Winners

The Louisiana FFA Association announced the names of 32 members that were selected as the state winners in the FFA Proficiency Award program. These members will now move on to represent Louisiana in the national competition to be held this fall.

The proficiency awards recognize outstanding student achievement in Supervised Agricultural Experiences gained through the establishment of a new business, working for an existing company, conducting agriscience research, or otherwise gaining hands-on career experience. FFA members can participate in this program to develop valuable experience and leadership skills at the local, state, and national levels. Descriptions of each proficiency award area are available at ffa.org/participate/awards/proficiencies/. 

Members participating in the program completed an extensive application detailing the growth of the project and skills attained. The applications were graded by committees of Louisiana agriscience teachers to select winners in each category. Each state winner will receive a banner and $300 cash provided by the Louisiana FFA Foundation and the National FFA Foundation.   

The 2020 state winners are:

Agricultural Communications – William Gaspard, Jr., Louisiana School for the Agricultural Sciences

Agricultural Education – Salem Johnson, Lakeview

Agricultural Mechanics Design and Fabrication – Brody McFarlain, Kaplan

Agricultural Mechanics Repair and Maintenance (Placement) – Wesley Rose, Dodson

Agricultural Sales (Entrepreneurship) – Westin Cobb, Walker

Agricultural Sales (Placement) – Susan Collazo, Florien

Agricultural Services – Matthew Delaune, St. Amant

Agricultural Research Animal Systems – Caitlin McBride, West Ouachita

Agricultural Research Integrated Systems – Kennedy Christmas, Iberville MSA West

Beef Production (Entrepreneurship) – Ethan Fontenot, Iowa

Beef Production (Placement) – Gene Natali, Iowa

Dairy Production (Entrepreneurship) – Kyle Sonnier, Lacassine

Dairy Production (Placement) – Eric Windham, Forest

Diversified Agricultural Production – Matthew Phillips, Franklin

Diversified Horticulture – Dekota McGee, Florien

Diversified Livestock Production – Karsyn Bass, West Ouachita

Equine Science (Entrepreneurship) – Caroline Russell, West Ouachita

Equine Science (Placement) – McKayla Mixon, Ponchatoula

Forest Management and Products – Troy Barks, Vinton

Fruit Production – Isabella Veuleman, Florien

Goat Production – Kylee Triche, Central Lafourche

Grain Production – Garrett Gauthier, Louisiana School for the Agricultural Sciences

Nursery Operations – Kerington Bass, West Ouachita

Poultry Production – Kyleigh Bass, West Ouachita

Service-Learning – Elizabeth Richwine, Florien

Small Animal Production and Care – Makenzie Jeanise, Bell City

Specialty Animal Production – Login Breaux, Crowley

Swine Production (Entrepreneurship) – Haley Williamson, Sam Houston

Swine Production (Placement) – Regan Huffman, West Ouachita

Turf Grass Management – Gracie Niette, Lakeview

Vegetable Production – Alex Walker, Quitman

Wildlife Management – Bailey Sandel, Florien

Additionally, two middle school members were named Junior Proficiency Award winners. They are:

Agricultural Education – Hayden Molaison, Sixth Ward Middle

Vegetable Production – Heidi Gauthier, Louisiana School for the Agricultural Sciences