Missouri FFA News Releases

Pierce named state winner in Forage Production Entrepreneurship and Placement Proficiency Award at Missouri FFA State Convention

COLUMBIA , Mo., April 16, 2009– Jacob Pierce, of the McDonald County FFA Chapter, Anderson, Mo., was named the state winner of the FFA Forage Production Entrepreneurship and Placement Proficiency Award at the 81^stMissouri State FFA Convention.

Pierce, a senior at McDonald County R -I High School, is the son of Dewey and Kitty Pierce. His advisors are Will Gordon, Rob Hall and Brian Nelson.

Pierce has been active in FFA on the chapter, district, state and national levels. He has attended national and state FFA conventions as well as the area FFA leadership conference officer training. Pierce serves as chapter president this year and also is the Area 11 FFA chaplain. Outside of FFA, he is a member of Dairy Farmers of America and National Honor Society.

Pierce has been around the farm all his life. Pierce learned the importance of proper nutrition for dairy cattle at a young age. Pierce began his Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) by renting land from his parents to produce roughages for his dairy cattle. In the summer, Pierce was responsible for cutting, raking, tedding, and baling hay.

Proficiency awards recognize FFA members who excel as agricultural entrepreneurs, employees or volunteers while gaining hands-on career experience. Forage Production is one of 47 proficiency awards presented at the state level. This award was sponsored by Northcutt Financial Services.

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.