Missouri FFA News Releases

LUKE BROOKS NAMED STATE WINNER OF FOOD SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY PROFICIENCY AWARD

COLUMBIA , Mo., April 16,2009– Luke Brooks, of the Willows Springs FFA Chapter, Willow Springs, Mo., was named the state winner of the FFA Food Science Technology Proficiency Award at the 81^st Missouri FFA Convention.

Brooks is the son of Robert and Ariane Brooks . His FFA advisor is Nathan C. Sanders.

While in FFA, Brooks has participated in national, state and local activities along with attending National and State FFA Convention. He received the state FFA Outdoor Recreation proficiency award in 2008. He also competed in the state FFA Trapshoot event in 2008.

Brooks’ Supervised Agricultural Experience Program (SAE) began at a nearby dairy farm, where he has learned how to properly clean and maintain a dairy operation and how to run equipment on the farm. He said that he enjoys working on a dairy farm because it enhances his knowledge in the dairy production. His future plans are to expand his SAE in dairy production and to start his own dairy production.

Proficiency awards recognize FFA members who excel as agricultural entrepreneurs, employees or volunteers while gaining hands-on career experience. Food Science and Technology is one of 47 proficiency awards given at the state level. This award was sponsored by the Missouri FFA Association.

The Missouri FFA has 24,410 members representing 317 chapters. The national organization has over 507,000 members representing 7,439 local chapters in 50 states, Puerto Rico, Guam and the 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.

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