Indianapolis (Friday, Oct. 31, 2025) –Eight winners of the 2025 National FFA Agricultural Proficiency Awards were named during the fourth session of the 98th National FFA Convention & Expo on Friday, Oct. 31, 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 eight of the 45 categories during the second general convention session.

Goat Production – Entrepreneurship/Placement
Ava Nicole Medo of the Wittenberg-Birnamwood FFA in Wisconsin had an SAE project that included assisting on the family’s 750-head commercial dairy goat farm, Medo Dairy Goats. Medo is confident in her ability to identify illness and treat it properly and in her ability to assist a doe who is having difficulty birthing. Medo oversees the welfare of the herd and provides useful input to improve the operation. Medo is supported by parents, Matthew and Angela, and FFA advisor Matthew Christian.

Poultry Production – Entrepreneurship/Placement
Cael Daufeldt of the West Liberty FFA in Iowa started a paid placement SAE in 2020 as a farm production assistant for BKBE Farms, a commercial turkey operation. In this role, Daufeldt was responsible for feeding and managing poults and adult toms, providing biosecurity oversight, managing overall flock health, implementing efficient technology systems, and developing skills in business practices and industry trends. Daufeldt is supported by his parents, Brent and Kelly, and his FFA advisors Zachary Morris and Elyse Buysse.

Sheep Production – Entrepreneurship/Placement
Molly McCalla of the Staunton FFA in Illinois owned and operated a flock of Southdown sheep, while also working for McCalla Southdowns, a nationally competitive operation. The two experiences helped McCalla build and develop extensive skills in all aspects of sheep production, including daily care, nutrition, health and breeding programs, and show preparation. McCalla is supported by her parents, Craig and Maggie, and her FFA advisors John Davin, Spencer Laughlin, and Maggie McCalla.

Small Animal Production and Care – Entrepreneurship/Placement
Imogen Jacinda Lanzetta of the Florida Virtual FFA in Florida started a pet-sitting business that provided professional care and companionship for pets when their owners were away. She continually maintained the finance and scheduling aspects of Sister Sitters. With a large number of repeat customers and more bookings, Lanzetta also continued to hire more sitters. Lanzetta is supported by parents, Edward and Melody, and FFA advisors Sarah Boles, Michelle  Pons, Sabrina Woods, Erin Lawall, and Christa Goodwin.

Specialty Animal Production – Entrepreneurship/Placement
Lindsy Moore of the Ware County FFA in Georgia was employed by Sanders Honey Company to help with bee production. Moore’s role was focused on the specialized production of queen bees, which requires careful attention to the bees’ health, their productivity, and their environment. Moore was responsible for making and checking queen cells, monitoring colonies, and helping prepare queens for sale. Moore is supported by her parents, Matt and Belinda, and her FFA advisors Jay Bennett, James Renshaw, Eric Hickox, and Annabelle Putman.

Swine Production – Entrepreneurship
Blake Weeks of the Meeker FFA in Oklahoma has a Supervised Agricultural Experience that consists of a show pig and sow herd operation. Weeks’s breeding operation profits by hosting private treaties and by selling to fellow breeders at live auctions. His show pig operation generates income through premium sales, winning shows, exhibiting breed champions, selling animals for meat, and selling animals to other swine breeders for breeding purposes. Weeks is supported by his parents, Jeff and Sarah, and his FFA advisor, Logan Johns.

Swine Production – Placement
Elena Andrews of the Beresford FFA in South Dakota has an SAE project that encompasses three different pig barn facilities, including two 2,400-head finisher barns and a 2,400-head nursery barn. Andrews oversees the pigs’ general health, assesses feed rations and water consumption, adjusts room temperature and air quality as needed, treats the pigs as required, and ensures biosecurity. Andrews is supported by her parents, Jim and Michelle, and her FFA advisor, Bridget Twedt.

Veterinary Science – Entrepreneurship/Placement
Peyton Heermance of the Altaville-Bret Harte FFA in California has an SAE project working for the Angels Camp Veterinary Hospital. Over the past three years, Heermance has gained experience in the veterinary field through training on lab equipment, assisting with ranch calls, and other related tasks. As a result of his project, Heermance plans to attend college as an animal science major on a pre-veterinary track. Heermance is supported by his parents, Thomas and Alison, and his FFA advisors Carrie Phillips, Cassandra Hiner, and Jackson Sawyer.

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.