National FFA Week Feb. 21-28, 2026

State Degrees

STATE DEGREES – We had 12 students earn their state degrees at the 2025 Missouri State Convention, these students have put in the work to achieve these degrees through their SAE’s, their participation, and the activities they have gone to and done.

Photo: (L to R) Back row: Andrew Hall, Gavin Heuser, Ryland Brower, Lucas Priesendorf, Braxton Watts, Sean Berry. Front row: Advisor Cameron Hargrove, Piper Spencer, Clanci McKellips, Olivia Graves, Kiera Strauch, Maria Jones, Clara Farran, Advisor Amy Green

Area Proficiencies

Proficiency Awards 7 students walked the stage at State Convention to receive their Area winning proficiencies. These awards are based on their SAE Project and the inner workings of each. Braxton Watts was selected as the State winner for Agriculture Communications, representing Missouri at National Convention. He was awarded a Gold Rating for his project. Pictured here are: (L to R) Piper Spencer, Olivia Graves, Ryland Brower, Kolten Norman, Braxton Watts. Not pictured: Clanci McKellips & Don Nikodim

Barn Warming

(Left to Right) (Back Row) Crayton Thorell, Jenna Runkle, Marshal Stauffer, Layne Smith, Brayden Wendt, Gabriella Wooldridge. (Front) Ashley Fairchild, Darlinda Davis, Maci Walter, King Wyatt Wilkinson, Queen Skylyn Gibbs, Alex Deeser, Kane Caldwell, Carter Smith

CHAPTER – El Dorado Springs FFA currently has 142 members. The advisors are Amy Green and Cameron Hargrove. Members are taught many important life skills that they will use forever. Some of our main events are penny wars, barnwarming, mum sales, FFA week, CDE lock in, and community service. Many of these events involve having members talk to other local community members and develop their speaking skills. We also want members to focus on leadership and responsibility. Every member is expected to have a supervised agriculture experience (SAE), this is a project, entrepreneurship, or placement, where they focus on career based skills and responsibilities. We also like to focus on our achievements at the El Dorado Springs FFA. This year, we had many state and American degrees, and proficiency winners. We are very excited for contest season to come around and compete at all of the competitions.

Mid-Mo Bank Dinner

Community Service– Students put on the matching chapter shirts, big smiles, and gloves to serve community members at the Mid Missouri Appreciation Dinner. Members from the community come to the parking lot of our local Mid Missouri Bank and eat dinner, share stories, and listen to a local band. FFA members are asked to serve the community members. Our chapter loves doing this to connect with our community members. This is one of our best community service event.

National Convention Trip

National Convention –  On October 23, 12 FFA members traveled to National Convention in Indianapolis. They Visited Lone Elk Park, Maxwell Meats, Greenfield Chocolates, Lost Forty Christmas Tree Farm, Ozark Fisheries, went bowling, several sessions, and the American Degree Ceremony.

(Left to Right) Gabriella Wooldridge; Jenna Runkle; Kashly Berning; Hailey Thomas; Sophia Spencer; Danica Lowrey; Bob the Christmas Tree Guy; Bob’s Wife; Parker Norman; Marshal Stauffer; Talon Robison; Trooper Arnold; Don Nikodim; & Brayden Wendt.

Our State Fair

STATE FAIR – Students traveled to the state fair in Sedalia, Missouri to do many things. The first thing they did was pack food for those who are in need. Together, members packed 193,084 meals for food insecure Missouri families. After packing the food, they were able to enjoy all the fair had to offer.

Photo: (Left to Right) Back: Wyatt Wilkinson, Crayton Thorell, Taylor Miller, Wilson Burchett, Don Nikodim, Trooper Arnold, Talon Robison, Marshal Stauffer, Camden Watts. Front: Catherine Williams, Jenna Runkle, Hailey Thomas, Karcyn Rader, Riley Lee

Christmas Baskets

CHRISTMAS BASKETS – Every year the El Dorado Springs FFA chapter holds a penny war. We adopt 13 families for Christmas, and the money we raise we go Christmas shopping for those families with. We buy what they ask for, and also some fun things we think the child likes. We love giving back to a community that gives so much to us.

Rewards Trip

Rewards trip – The rewards trip consisted of the 20 most active FFA Members, this year they went to Fort Worth, Texas. They spent a long, hot, and sweaty three days on this trip. They visited a botanical garden, went bowling, spent a day at the stockyards, visited the port of Catoosa, visited Express Ranches Clydestales, and ate lots of good food.

Photo: (L to R) Tabor Berning, Talon Robison, Jason Spencer, Trooper Arnold, Marshal Stauffer, Piper Spencer, Kolten Norman, Hailey Thomas, Clara Farran, Gavin Heuser, Darlinda Davis, Ryland Brower, Olivia Graves, Gain Boch, Clanci McKellips, Kiera Strauch, Jenna Runkle, Danica Lowrey, Lela Brown, Gabriella Wooldridge

2025-2026 FFA Officers

OFFICERS – The 2025-2026 officer team: (L to R) Hailey Thomas–Chaplain, Gabriella Wooldridge–Secretary, Jenna Runkle–Reporter, Trooper Arnold–Treasurer, Marshal Stauffer–Vice President, Don Nikodim–Sentinel, Danica Lowrey–President