Missouri FFA News Releases

Darcy Long-Receives Second Place 2009 Missouri FFA Sheep Production Proficiency Award

COLUMBIA , Mo., April 16, 2009 – Darcy Long, member of the South Shelby FFA Chapter, Shelbina, Mo., was the second place recipient of the Sheep Production Proficiency Award at the 81^st Missouri State FFA Convention.

Darcy is the daughter of Scott and Shelly Long. Her FFA advisor is Tim Larrick.

As an FFA member, Long has attended the national and state FFA conventions. She was a participant in State FFA Leadership Camp and exhibited at the Missouri State Fair. Long has participated in several FFA Career Development Events including Knowledge Contest, Entomology, Horse Judging, and Creed Speaking.

Long’s Supervised Agricultural Experience Program (SAE) began due to her family’s tradition in sheep production. 4-H was the root of his sheep career, but raising and showing breeding sheep has become a large part of her FFA participation as well. In the future, Long plans to continue raising and marketing sheep.

Proficiency awards recognize FFA members who excel as agricultural entrepreneurs, employees or volunteers while gaining hands-on career experience. Sheep production is one of 47 proficiency award areas recognized at the state level. The Missouri Sheep Merchandising Council sponsors this award.

The Missouri FFA Association has more than 24,410 members representing 317 chapters. The national organization has more than 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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