Proficiency award winners named during FFA Convention

Ten winners of the 2024 National FFA Agricultural Proficiency Awards were named during the third session of the 97th National FFA Convention & Expo on Thursday, Oct. 24, which is being held in Indianapolis.

Agricultural proficiency awards honor FFA members who, through Supervised Agricultural Experiences (SAEs), have developed specialized skills that they can apply toward their future careers. Students compete in areas ranging from agricultural communications to wildlife management. Proficiency awards are also recognized at local and state levels and provide recognition to members exploring and becoming established in agricultural career pathways.

Today, awards were announced for 10 of the 45 categories during the third general convention session.

The recipients are:

Agriscience Research: Animal Systems
Alyx Johnson
Alyx Johnson studies a variety of conditions, and possible treatments and prevention methods to improve swine health. By doing research in areas that affect herd health, Johnson has built a knowledge base she can use to guide future health-related decisions within her own herd. Johnson is a member of the Woodland FFA Chapter in Alabama, and her FFA advisor is Brad Johnson.

Beef Production: EntrepreneurshipBeef Production – Entrepreneurship
Raegan Gilbert
Raegan Gilbert maximizes production in her herd using embryo transfer synchronization, vet-developed vaccine protocol, meticulous record-keeping, and other strategies. Gilbert expanded her herd from 10 cows in 2019 to 21 registered Angus, Simmental, and Commercial cattle in 2023. Gilbert is a member of the Banks County FFA Chapter in Georgia, and her FFA advisors are Kipp Jackson and Christopher Crump.

Beef Production: Placement
Cecillia LeaAnn Newby
Cecillia LeaAnn Newby works for Newby Show Cattle and D/N Cattle Company. Newby performs vaccinations, chooses sires for breeding, administers growth implants, and assists with artificial insemination and embryo transfers, among other things. With 10 years of livestock judging, Newby is skilled in finding new replacement animals to incorporate into the herd. Newby is a member of the Labette County FFA Chapter in Kansas and her FFA advisors are Kyle Zwahlen, Dustin Wiley and Keith Geren.

Dairy Production: Entrepreneurship
Cade Claycomb
Cade Claycomb runs his dairy production business where he has a 42-head herd on 36 acres. With a focus on improved herd genetics in his operation, Claycomb markets around 9,400 pounds of milk each week. Claycomb is a member of the Trenton FFA Chapter in Missouri and his FFA advisors are Kabel Oaks and Sadie Roy.

Dairy Production: Placement
Troy Homan
Troy Homan works at his family’s dairy farm, which consists of 320 Holstein cows and 300 heifers. Homan has helped with the planning and construction of new projects to help improve the operation. Homan also conducts the operation’s herd health program by preventing and treating illnesses. Homan is a member of the New Bremen FFA Chapter in Ohio and his FFA advisor is Maria Homan.

Diversified Agricultural Production: Entrepreneurship/Placement
Kaleb James Ellis
Kaleb James Ellis has multiple Supervised Agricultural Experiences including working on the family’s farm which operates with 500 row crop acres, 200 head of beef cattle and 200,000 broiler chickens. Ellis also raises and sells hogs as an entrepreneurship project, farms his own row crops, and works for an additional diversified farm. Ellis is a member of the Cochrane Fountain City FFA Chapter in Wisconsin and FFA advisors are Christine Jumbeck and Deanna Wiersgalla.

Diversified Livestock Production: Entrepreneurship/Placement
Hayden Hubbard
Hayden Hubbard operates an operation with show pigs, show cattle and market steers. He has also diversified his production to include processed meat for consumers. Hubbard has gained an increased understanding of genetics, pedigrees, and performance data for livestock. He is a member of the Burns FFA Chapter in Wyoming, and his FFA advisor is William Luna.

Equine Science: Entrepreneurship
Taylor Barraclough
Taylor Barraclough established her business, Violet Sales, to breed, raise, and sell horses. She has grown operations from basic care into strategic breeding, investment, marketing and sales. Barraclough is a member of the Schuylerville FFA Chapter in New York, and her FFA advisor is Mary-Elizabeth Foote.

Equine Science: Placement
Lucy Barney
Lucy Barney is a fifth-generation horse breeder who is employed by two separate draft horse operations. Barney’s responsibilities include feeding, regular strength training, grooming, horse selection, and marketing. Additionally, Barney trains horses for and competes in draft horse shows. Barney is a member of the Rigby FFA Chapter in Idaho and her FFA advisors are Lex Godfrey, Robert Hale, Casey Sanders and Courtney Knickrehm.

Agricultural Processing: Entrepreneurship/Placement Proficiency
Connor Paulk
Connor Paulk established his business, Paulk’s Produce, in 2020. Paulk offers customers processing and packaging of southern peas, butterbeans, tomatoes, and green beans. To successfully grow his company, Paulk created and implemented a marketing plan, utilized a recordkeeping system to project needs, purchased equipment to increase production, and hired and trained employees. Paulk is a member of the Irwin County FFA Chapter in Georgia and his FFA advisors are Chris Paulk, Wesley Paulk and Shayla Johnson.