FFA Website

National FFA announces in-person convention with a virtual program for 2021

The National FFA Organization announced that they would hold their annual in-person convention this fall in the city of Indianapolis. The event, which traditionally brings more than 65,000 attendees, will take place Oct. 27-30. Expected in-person events during the convention include the American FFA Degree Ceremony; Career Success Tours; competitive events; delegate business sessions; entertainment; […]

Farm Scene news graphic

Know youth labor laws before hiring summer staff

As the school year ends, you can expect young people to start applying for summer jobs. For agricultural employers, these young workers can provide extra capacity at a time when farms and agribusinesses often have more work than they have employees to get that work done. “Labor is tight as the economy picks up steam […]

USDA Sign

USDA awards MDC two partnership projects to enhance cropland acres, restore and protect sand prairies

The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) will continue initiatives to integrate conservation with agriculture practices and help restore and manage sand prairies after being awarded two partnership projects through the Natural Resources Conservation Service Regional Conservation Partnership Program. Through RCPP, conservation partners work in collaboration with NRCS to help farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners throughout […]

Brylee Loren Williams

Brylee Williams is state winner in Agricultural Education Proficiency award

Brylee Williams of the Princeton FFA Chapter won the Missouri FFA Agricultural Education Proficiency Award at the 93rd Missouri FFA Convention. Proficiency awards recognize FFA members who excel as agricultural entrepreneurs, employees, or volunteers while gaining hands-on career experience. Agricultural education is one of 46 proficiency award areas recognized at the state level. Missouri Vocational […]

Valbracht places second in agricultural mechanics repair and maintenance entrepreneurship proficiency award area

Keagan Valbracht from Chillicothe places second in agricultural mechanics repair

Keagan Valbracht of the Chillicothe FFA Chapter received the second-place Missouri FFA Agricultural Mechanics Repair & Maintenance Entrepreneurship Proficiency Award at the 93rd Missouri FFA Convention. Proficiency awards recognize FFA members who excel as agricultural entrepreneurs, employees, or volunteers while gaining hands-on career experience. Agricultural mechanics repair and maintenance entrepreneurship is one of 46 proficiency […]

Ryan Smith of Milan FFA Chapter named Area 3 Star Farmer

Ryan Smith of Milan FFA Chapter named Area 3 Star Farmer

The Missouri FFA Association recognized Ryan P. Smith of the Milan FFA Chapter as the Area 3 Star Farmer at the 93rd Missouri FFA Convention. His parents are Bradley and Jenny Smith of Harris. His advisors are Jarred Sayre and Cassie Cowles. Area Star Farmers are chosen based upon outstanding production agriculture in the student’s […]

Student from Bucklin places 4th in Extemporaneous Public Speaking at Missouri FFA Convention

Jacob Byers of the Bucklin FFA Chapter placed fourth in the extemporaneous public speaking leadership development event at the 93rd Missouri FFA Convention. Sixteen students from six districts were selected to compete at the state level. Byers’ advisor is Valerie Montgomery. MFA Inc. sponsors the competition, which requires contestants to deliver a speech based on […]

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FCS Financial awards $51,000 in scholarships

FCS Financial recently selected 34 recipients for their Scholarship Program who will each receive a $1,500 scholarship to assist with the cost of higher education. Since 2004, more than $720,000 has been distributed through the FCS Financial Scholarship Program. The program is designed to encourage and support higher education for children and grandchildren of FCS […]

CRP Website Revised (Conservation Reserve Program website)

USDA expands and renews Conservation Reserve Program in effort to boost enrollment and address climate change

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced today that USDA will open enrollment in the Conservation Reserve Program with higher payment rates, new incentives, and a more targeted focus on the program’s role in climate change mitigation. Additionally, USDA is announcing investments in partnerships to increase climate-smart agriculture, including $330 million in 85 Regional Conservation Partnership Program […]