INDIANAPOLIS (Friday, Oct. 23, 2026/National FFA Organization) – Eight winners of the 2026 National FFA Agricultural Proficiency Awards were named during the fourth session of the 99th National FFA Convention & Expo on Friday, Oct. 23, 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 fourth general convention session.

Goat Production – Entrepreneurship/Placement
Adileigh Rountree of the Screven County High FFA Chapter in Georgia worked at Flatwood Farms, progressing from helping with basic tasks to managing a 30-goat herd. Her responsibilities included tracking expenses and goat sales income, planning and maintaining feeding and watering schedules, conducting regular health checks, and making decisions related to breeding, kidding, and medication. Rountree is supported by her parents Kevin Rountree and Vette Rountree, and FFA advisors Nancy Sell, Zach Weaver and Cali Smith.

Poultry Production – Entrepreneurship/Placement
Dal Bentley of the Laverne FFA Chapter in Oklahoma operated Bent D Farms, a poultry production enterprise focused on egg production and the sale of replacement birds. Bentley managed up to 228 purebred hens and sold eggs to two local grocery outlets and off the farm. Between 2023 and 2025, he expanded his operation from two poultry breeds to six. Bentley is supported by his parents, Ty Bentley and Cynthia Bentley, and FFA advisors Sandi Kolbe, Nathan Lang and Gary Nagle.

Sheep Production – Entrepreneurship/Placement
Landon Berg of the Bridgewater-Emery FFA Chapter in South Dakota began his sheep operation as a 10-head project, which has grown into a focused breeding program with 42 head of show ewes. The enterprise inspired Berg to pursue a career in animal science, with a long-term goal of becoming a large-animal veterinarian specializing in embryology. Berg is supported by his parents, Bob Berg and Heidi Berg, and by FFA advisor Alex Toupal.

Small Animal Production and Care – Entrepreneurship/Placement
Saray Madriz Alcaraz of the Madera FFA Chapter in California gained experience through her production enterprise breeding, raising, and showing rabbits. Her project focused on breeding fryers to sell to 4-H and FFA members across the state to show at their county fairs. Her operation grew in scope from three rabbits in 2022 to 545 in 2025. Madriz Alcaraz is supported by her parents, Arturo J Madriz and Lidia Madriz, and FFA advisors Kristin Sheehan, Stephanie Goeb, Jorge Salas, Madelyn Fernandes, Sigifredo Rubio Contreras and Julie Lu.

Specialty Animal Production – Entrepreneurship/Placement
Clarke Conrad of the Merced-El Capitan FFA in California worked for Conrad Bee Pollination and also owned 48 beehives under the name of G&C Bee. Through his experience, Conrad learned and managed all aspects of beekeeping production, sold honey, and provided bee rentals for pollination. He plans to pursue a career in beekeeping after completing his agricultural business degree. Conrad is supported by his parents, Jason and Jeannine, and his FFA advisors, Kaylyn Davenport, Celia Casso, Daniel Fishman, Michaela Pignone, Julie Schellhase, Dillon Guillen.

Swine Production – Entrepreneurship
Gauge Goehring of the Galt FFA Chapter in California owned and operated Double G Show Pigs, managing, breeding, producing and exhibiting quality show pigs. Goehring developed skills in nutrition management, researching and implementing disease prevention measures, reproductive management, and marketing, which will assist him in his career goal of becoming a professional pork producer. Goehring is supported by his parents, Sonny Goehring and JessaLee Goehring, and FFA advisors Derek Silva, Jordan Albiani, Sarah Ronayne, Cheryl Reece and Patrick MacDonald.

Swine Production – Placement
Cody Billenstein of the Versailles FFA Chapter in Ohio held a placement position at Billenstein Farms, a third-generation family farm. His responsibilities included marking, sorting, and loading finished market hogs for market; trucking feed to contract growers; vaccinating pigs to control sickness and disease; helping in the feed mill; safely transporting hogs; and applying biosecurity protocols. Billenstein is supported by his parents, Jason Billenstein and Kelly Billenstein, and FFA advisors Dena Wuebker and Taylor Bergman.

Veterinary Science – Entrepreneurship/Placement
Jilian Schoenfeld of the Russell Tyler Ruthton FFA Chapter in Minnesota worked in a rural veterinary clinic as a veterinary technician assistant, under the supervision of a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. Her duties included assisting the veterinarian with large-animal farm calls, preparing vaccinations and surgical packs, and performing laboratory maintenance, among other tasks. Schoenfeld is supported by her parents, Keith Schoenfeld and Jen Boersma, and FFA advisor Jen Boersma.

The National FFA Organization is a school-based national youth leadership development organization of more than 1,053,847 student members as part of 9,591 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 1,053,847 student members as part of 9,591 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.