Missouri FFA News Releases

Erica LaMontagne Named Second Place 2009 Missouri FFA Equine Science Placement Proficiency Award

COLUMBIA , Mo., April 16, 2009 –Erica LaMontagne, a member of the Warrenton FFA Chapter, Warrenton, Mo., was named second place of the FFA Equine Science Placement Proficiency Award at the 81^st Missouri FFA Convention.

LaMontagne, a senior at Warrenton Co High School, is the daughter of Rick and Patty LaMontagne. Her FFA advisors are Diane Miederhoff & David Cooley.

LaMontagne has attended National FFA convention and State FFA convention. She also has competed on the State FFA Horse Evaluation and Poultry Career Development events receiving a group 1 individual rating for both. She participated in chapter officer development event and was a District Participant in Missouri Institute of Cooperatives speaking contest.

LaMontagne Supervised Agricultural Experience Program started when she began working for a breeding, boarding and training operation when she was about 13 years old. She waters; feeds, gives hay, and stall up-keep. She has learned to care for horses and provide basic medical attention to injured horses.

LaMontagne’s goals are to finish her college education and to put her knowledge and experience into work at her own facility.

Proficiency awards recognize FFA members who excel as agricultural entrepreneurs, employees or volunteers while gaining hands-on career experiences. Equine Science Placement is one of 47 proficiency awards presented at state level. The Missouri Quarter Horse Association sponsors this award.

The Missouri FFA has 24,410 member representing 317 chapters. The national organization has more than 507,000 member 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.