Indianapolis (Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025) – Ten winners of the 2025 National FFA Agricultural Proficiency Awards were named during the third session of the 98th National FFA Convention & Expo on Thursday, Oct. 30, which is being held 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 ten of the 45 categories during the second general convention session.

Agriscience Research – Animal Systems
Kyriana Beard of the Stillwater FFA in Oklahoma performed research measuring factors related to health and exercise tolerance in horses with different exercise frequencies. Beard’s findings concluded which measures of exercise safety are useful, and how these findings can enhance animal welfare practices. Beard is supported by Kim Beard, and her FFA advisors Bailey Kliewer, Carl Nipper, and Robby Branscum.

Beef Production – Entrepreneurship
Gabe Mitchell of the Dixie FFA in Florida began his SAE projects in 2017 and has evolved his operation to include raising custom beef steers in addition to breeding cattle. Mitchell has learned, among other skills, how to evaluate animals for breeding readiness and soundness and how to raise consumer-safe beef.  Mitchell is supported by his parents, Casey and Cynthia, and his FFA advisor, Cynthia Mitchell.

Beef Production – Placement
Hannah Oleson of the Adams-Friendship FFA in Wisconsin has held several roles at different production operations for her SAE projects. Having started with basic tasks such as feeding pre-measured buckets and mucking pens, Oleson graduated to independently operating all farm machinery, making breeding decisions, and performing artificial insemination for the cattle. Oleson is supported by her parents, Joshua and Kelly, and her FFA advisor, Becky Grabarski.

Dairy Production – Entrepreneurship
Marshall Kleiman of the Granton FFA in Wisconsin owns and runs a business raising young dairy animals and using selective genetics to breed heifers and sell them. Kleiman has gained knowledge in dairy nutrition, reproductive planning, and seasonal herd care, how forage quality affects milk production and how market trends impact profitability. Kleiman is supported by Shelly Cook and FFA advisor Katie Reider.

Dairy Production – Placement
Colin Batten of the Versailles FFA in Ohio began his SAE project in eighth grade as a general farm hand on a dairy farm. Over four years, Batten worked his way up to assistant cow/calf manager, increasing responsibilities and gaining new skills. Batten learned helpful knowledge about maintaining overall animal health, welfare and management, which will assist him in his future goal of becoming a veterinary pharmacist. Batten is supported by his parents, Chris and Suzanne, and his FFA advisors, Dena Wuebker and Taylor Bergman.

Diversified Agricultural Production- Entrepreneurship/Placement
Lincoln Winner of the Versailles FFA in Ohio worked at Brian Winner Farms for his diversified agricultural production SAE. As his role grew from farm laborer to farm manager, Winner’s skillset increased, involving corn, wheat, and grass hay crops, beef cattle/livestock production, agricultural business management and more. Winner is supported by his parents, Brian and Lisa, and his FFA advisors Dena Wuebker and Taylor Bergman.

Diversified Livestock Production – Entrepreneurship/Placement
Ty Jones of the Allen County-Scottsville FFA in Kentucky had SAE projects consisting of 96 registered seedstock beef cattle, 17 seedstock swine, 52 club lamb ewes and 83 hair ewes. Jones credits his SAE projects with providing him with a work ethic and determination, in addition to the skills related to livestock production and the agriculture business. Jones is supported by his parents, Bart and Sarah, and his FFA advisors Brandon Weaver and Sarah Towe.

Equine Science – Entrepreneurship
Brooklyn Kinsey Parlor of the Jeff Davis High FFA in Georgia created BP Performance Horses, a business that specializes in training, conditioning, and rehabilitating barrel horses, with a focus on preparing performance prospects. Services include tune-ups, foundation work for younger horses, and sales consignment to help clients market horses ready for competition. Parlor is supported by parents, Chris and Jenny, and FFA advisors Crandall Parlor, Chris Towns, and Courtney Hester.

Equine Science – Placement
Shane Barraclough of the Schuylerville FFA in New York worked on his family’s farm, which breeds and raises foals. Barraclough helped administer shots and medications, represented the farm at sales, and assisted the vet with foal care. As a future career, Barraclough plans to run a thoroughbred farm dedicated to boarding and foaling mares. Barraclough is supported by his parents, Dan and Kathy, and his FFA advisor, Mary-Elizabeth Foote.

Agricultural Processing – Entrepreneurship/Placement
Blake Schmitmeyer of the Versailles FFA in Ohio works at The Butcher Block and Smokehouse, which specializes in custom processing cattle and hogs but also processes goats, sheep and bison. Schmitmeyer is responsible for trimming and scraping meat, vacuum sealing, packaging and labeling. He also harvests hogs under a USDA inspector’s watch. Schmitmeyer is supported by his parents, Matt and Liz, and his FFA advisors, Dena Wuebker and Taylor Bergman.

The National FFA Organization is a school-based national youth leadership development organization of more than 1,042,245 student members as part of 9,207 local FFA chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

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About National FFA Organization
The National FFA Organization is a school-based national youth leadership development organization of more than 1,042,245 student members as part of 9,407 local FFA chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The FFA mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education. For more, visit the National FFA Organization online at FFA.org and on Facebook and Twitter.

About National FFA Foundation
The National FFA Foundation builds partnerships with industry, education, government, other foundations, and individuals to secure financial resources that recognize FFA member achievements, develop student leaders, and support the future of agricultural education. Governed by a 19-member board of trustees composed of educators, business leaders, individual donors and FFA Alumni, the foundation is a separately registered nonprofit organization. About 82 percent of every dollar received by the foundation supports FFA members and agricultural education opportunities. For more, visit FFA.org/Give.