| Contact: | April 15-18, 2009 Joyce Cutright at 573-882-0866 After April 18 at 417-887-9844 |
| Email: moffaconv@missouri.edu | |
| Web: http://agebb.missouri.edu/news/moffaconv/ | |
Matthew Schmidt-state winner 2009 Missouri FFA Sheep Production Proficiency Award
COLUMBIA , Mo., April 16, 2009– Matthew William Schmidt, member of the Centralia FFA Chapter, Centralia, Mo., was the first place recipient of the Sheep Production Proficiency Award at the 81st Missouri State FFA Convention.
Matthew is the son of Bryan and Rosel Schmidt. Her FFA advisors are Scott Stone and Lori Lewis.
As an FFA member, Schmidt has attended the national and state FFA conventions. He was awarded a State FFA Leadership Medal in 2008. Schmidt also has received chapter proficiency awards in Diversified Livestock, Ag Processing and Beef Production.
Jones’ Supervised Agricultural Experience Program (SAE) began due to his family’s tradition in sheep production. His sheep production career began in 4-H, but raising and showing Southdowns and Natural Colored lambs has become a large part of his FFA participation. Now he works at Busdieker Farms taking care of 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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205 Jefferson St
PO Box 480
Jefferson City, MO 65102-0480
Phone: 573-751-3544