The proficiency award program recognizes students for exceptional accomplishments and excellence in a Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) program. This program allows students to set goals and gain real-world experience in a chosen area of the agriculture industry.

The winners of the proficiency awards are as follows:

Agricultural Education Eryn Daugherty, Royal Valley

Sponsored by Larry Gossen Family and Harmon Bliss Family (State) and the James F. Lincoln Arc Welding Foundation and Tulsa Welding School (National)

Agricultural Mechanics Design and Fabrication Isiah Windmeyer, Doniphan County

Sponsored by Abilene Machine (State) and Carry-On Trailer and Lincoln Electric (National)

Agricultural Mechanics Repair and Maintenance – Entrepreneurship Hunter McCurdy, West Franklin

Sponsored by KanEquip (State) and Kubota and Mystik Lubricants (National)

Agricultural Mechanics Repair and Maintenance – Placement Kaleb Nelson, Spring Hill

Sponsored by KanEquip (State) and  Tractor Supply Company (National)

Agricultural Processing Denton Carrico, Labette County

Sponsored by AGP (State)

Agricultural Sales – Placement Clay Rolf, Burlington

Sponsored by Kansas Grain Sorghum Commission (State) and Fastenal (National)

Agricultural Services Cade Riggin, Riverton

Sponsored by Farm Credit Associations of Kansas (State)

Agriscience Research – Integrated Systems Taylor Brynds, Girard

Sponsored by DuPont Pioneer (State) and Darling Ingredients, Inc., and Seneca (National)

Beef Production – Entrepreneurship Ethan Dickerson, Natoma

Sponsored by Sam & Janet Hands (State) and Merck Animal Health and Rabo AgriFinance (National)

Beef Production – Placement Bridget Kucan, Holton

Sponsored by Tiffany Cattle Co. (State) and Red Brand (National)

Dairy Production – Entrepreneurship Simon Schmitz, Axtell

Sponsored by Kansas Dairy Commission (State) and New Holland (National)

Diversified Agricultural Production Emily Albright, Royal Valley

Sponsored by Triangle H (State) and  Firestone Agricultural Solutions and  Ram Trucks (National)

Diversified Crop Production – Placement Hallie Wettstein, Hugoton

Sponsored by Kansas Corn (State) and National Crop Insurance Services (National)

Diversified Horticulture Mary Broxterman, Royal Valley

Sponsored by Hummert International (State) and The Toro Company and Wilbur-Ellis Company (National)

Diversified Livestock Production Rebecca Johnson, Hugoton

Sponsored by JC Livestock/Clay Center Livestock/Langvardt Families (State) and Tractor Supply Company and Wahl Clipper Corporation (National)

Equine Science – Entrepreneurship Brooke Staten, Blue Valley

Sponsored by Doug & Jana Zillinger (State) and Red Brand (National)

Equine Science – Placement Lauren Goertzen, Buhler

Sponsored by United Mosquito and Fly Control  (State) and Tarter Farm & Ranch Equipment  and Tractor Supply Company (National)

Fiber and/or Oil Crop Production Joseph Ryckert, Paola

Sponsored by Kansas Soybean Commission (State) and  Bunge North America (National)

Forage Production Tate Ahlvers, Beloit

Sponsored by Kansas Forage and Grassland Council, Inc. (State) and Claas of America (National)

Goat Production Ty Seibert, Chapman

Sponsored by Tractor Supply Company and Bekaert Corporation (National)

Grain Production – Placement Robert Phillips, Mission Valley

Sponsored by Kansas Wheat Commission (State)

Home and/or Community Development Matthew Green, Labette County

Sponsored by Seitz Fundraising (State) and Carhartt, Inc. (National)

Nursery Operations Angela Prebyl, Marsyville

Sponsored by Lawrence Landscape (State) and NuFarm (National)

Poultry Production Blake Bell, Ell Saline

Sponsored by Tractor Supply Co. (State) and Tractor Supply Company and  U.S. Poultry & Egg Association (National)

Sheep Production Cara DeTar, Labette County

Sponsored by Harris Show Lambs (State)

Small Animal Production and Care Rebekah Thompson, Southeast of Saline

Sponsored by Animal Health Center of Marion County (State)  and Tractor Supply Company  and Elanco Animal Health (National)

Specialty Animal Production Ivy Bailey, Sabetha

Sponsored by Prairie School Farms (State) and Zoetis (National)

Swine Production – Entrepreneurship Katie Krehbiel, Inman

Sponsored by Kansas Pork Association (State) and Zoetis (National)

Turf Grass Management Tyler Larison, Riverton

Sponsored by Sod Shop Inc. (State) and John Deere (National)

Vegetable Production Kalen Dressler, Eudora

Sponsored by From the Land of Kansas Program (State)  and Tractor Supply Company and Wilbur-Ellis Company (National)

Veterinary Science Kortnee VanDonge, Holton

Sponsored by Kansas Veterinary Medical Association (State) and American Veterinary Medical Association (National)

Wildlife Production and Management Ivy Marie Gatton, Labette County

Sponsored by Kansas Chapter – National Wild Turkey Federation (State) and Carhartt (National)