Louisiana FFA Announces State Proficiency Award Winners

The Louisiana FFA Association announced the names of 27 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/.

One of those members, Colin Sebren of the West Ouachita FFA Chapter, explained why he applied for an award. “I applied for a proficiency award this year because my ag teachers suggested that I do one based on my SAE. It allowed me to compete in another area of FFA that I had not experienced before, and our chapter has a great tradition of competing in [proficiency awards].”

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 finalists in each category. The finalists then participated in interiew with a committee of judges to determine final placings. Each state winner will receive a banner and a cash award provided by the Louisiana FFA Foundation and the National FFA Foundation.

The 2022 state winners are:

Agricultural Communications – Jacy Regan, Crowley

Agricultural Education – Autumn Smedley, Ponchatoula

Agricultural Mechanics Design and Fabrication – Dawson Hoffpauir, Crowley

Agricultural Mechanics Repair and Maintenance (Entrepreneurship) – Wesley Doucet, Eunice Agricultural

Mechanics Repair and Maintenance (Placement) – Cayl Doise, Elton

Agricultural Sales (Entrepreneurship) – Landyn Bazile, Ponchatoula

Agricultural Sales (Placement) – Katelynn Sargent, Florien

Beef Production (Placement) – Garrett Walker, West Ouachita

Dairy Production (Placement) – Savanna Hutson, Starks Diversified

Agricultural Production – Morgan Green, Florien

Diversified Crop Production (Placement) – Thomas Lingo, Forest

Diversified Livestock Production – Abbygail Davis, Pearl River

Environmental Science and Natural Resources Management – Lauren Poole, Winnfield

Equine Science (Entrepreneurship) – Gracie Castaneda, West Ouachita

Equine Science (Placement) – Ashle’ Hudspeth, Walker

Goat Production – Madison Green, Winnfield

Grain Production (Placement) – Emma Stelly, Kaplan

Landscape Management – Caleb Barton, Dodson

Nursery Operations – Jasmine Vargas, Eunice

Outdoor Recreation – Grace Manuel, Florien

Poultry Production – Adam Pousson, Iota

Sheep Production – Juliana Carbalan, Elton

Small Animal Production and Care – Camille Berzas, Basile

Specialty Animal Production – Jace Hebert, Kaplan

Swine Production (Placement) – Reiley Roger, Crowley

Vegetable Production – Alexis Covington, Walker

Wildlife Management – Craig Rodrigue, St. Amant

Additionally, five middle school members were named Junior Proficiency Award winners.

They are:

Agricultural Communications – Averi Thibodeaux, Hathaway

Beef Production (Entrepreneurship) – Grant Roger, Bayou Blue Middle

Beef Production (Placement) – Luke Mhire, Lacassine

Dairy Production (Entrepreneurship) – Alexis Lyons, Bayou Blue Middle

Vegetable Production – Madelyn Fossum, Lockport Middle