(INDIANAPOLIS, IN) – Students in Future Farmers of America (FFA) chapters across Kentucky demonstrated their agriculture skills by winning a variety of awards at the National FFA Convention & Expo.
The convention, held on Oct. 21-24 in Indianapolis, drew more than 72,000 FFA members, advisors and guests. Kentucky students and FFA chapters earned recognition in a range of competitions and leadership programs.
Aiden Manley of Menifee County was elected to serve as the 2026-2027 National FFA Eastern Region vice president. Manley and his five fellow national officers will each travel more than 100,000 miles during the year as they serve the National FFA Organization’s more than 1 million members. He also will meet with agriculture and business leaders and government officials as an ambassador for the organization and the agriculture industry. Manley will take a year off from his studies at the University of Kentucky to fulfill his duties.
Spencer County FFA was named a National Premier Chapter in the area of Strengthening Agriculture. The chapter was recognized for its activity, “Beyond the Barn: Mental Health in the Bluegrass,” which provided a wellness breakfast, safety briefings and health screenings for agricultural workers.
Cameron Williams of Christian County FFA was named the national winner in the Agricultural Mechanics Repair and Maintenance Entrepreneurship Proficiency Award contest. Williams was recognized for his work in his small-engine repair business.
Noah Mason, Cruse Edwards and Levi Hausner of Daviess County, performing as the Blue Bridge Boys, won the National FFA Talent Contest. Allison McKinney and Avery Stewart of Jackson County also placed in the top three in the contest. Both groups competed against more than 50 other acts to earn a place in the final round.
Ayla Tolentino of Bondurant Middle School (Franklin County) placed second in Social Science Division 1 of the National FFA Agriscience Fair. Her research project was titled “Friend or Foe: A Comparative Research Study of the Effectiveness of Insect Identification Through Extension Programs for Agriculturalists.”
Nathan Reid of Tates Creek Middle School (Fayette County) placed second in Environmental Science Division 1 of the National FFA Agriscience Fair. His research project was titled “Determining the Correlation Between Soil Permeability and E. coli Concentration in Watersheds Near Pastureland.”
Jose Villanos of LaRue County was named one of four finalists for the American Star in Agriscience award. The American Star awards are among the highest honors presented by the National FFA Organization and recognize students’ work-based learning experiences throughout high school. Villanos has completed a variety of plant science research projects as both a high school student and an undergraduate at the University of Kentucky.
Woodford County FFA placed fourth in the Agricultural Sales Career Development Event. Team members were Cooper Probst, Kenneth Grider, Emma Roberts and Nathan Ott. All team members earned gold ratings in the national event.
Bloomfield Middle School (Nelson County) was named one of the nation’s top five middle school chapters as a finalist for the National Middle School Model of Excellence.
Two Kentucky FFA members were selected as national proficiency award finalists, placing among the top four nationally in their respective areas:
- Aiden Manley, Menifee County – Agricultural Education
- Alyssa Benningfield, Taylor County – Swine Production Placement
Agriscience Fair
Kentucky students earned top-10 placements in several categories at the National FFA Agriscience Fair. Participants completed research projects addressing real-world problems in the agriculture industry.
- Taylor Ellington, McNabb Middle School (Montgomery County) – Animal Science Division 1, 7th place
- Addie Braun and Kelsey Milburn, Nelson County – Animal Science Division 6, 10th place
- Evelyn Lux and Braydyn Talbert, Bloomfield Middle School (Nelson County) – Environmental Science Division 2, 4th place
- Olivia Calvert, Nelson County Schools – Environmental Science Division 3, 4th place
- Kaylee Frizzell and Peyton Wellner, Nelson County Schools – Environmental Science Division 4, 9th place
- Jacelyn Parsley, Bloomfield Middle School (Nelson County) – Food Products and Processing Division 1, 10th place
- Dayne Hamilton and Kaleb Adams, Bloomfield Middle School (Nelson County) – Food Products and Processing Division 2, 8th place
- Bridgette Smith and Addison Bow, Barren County – Food Products and Processing Division 6, 8th place
- Keith Bolen and Jake Simpson, Bloomfield Middle School (Nelson County) – Plant Science Systems Division 2, 6th place
- Addison Renshaw, Christian County – Plant Science Systems Division 3, 10th place
- John McKay, Old Kentucky Home Middle School (Nelson County) – Power, Structural and Technical Systems Division 1, 7th place
- Tyler Carey and Raylen Yates, Bloomfield Middle School (Nelson County) – Power, Structural and Technical Systems Division 2, 10th place
- Brayden Downs and Landon Edelen, Nelson County Schools – Power, Structural and Technical Systems Division 6, 8th place
- Carsen Mynhier, Menifee County – Social Science Division 5, 5th place
Career and Leadership Development Events
Spencer County FFA placed seventh in the Nursery/Landscape Career Development Event. Team members were Elijah Cook, Jocelyn Hasken, Aria Sanford and Ruby Bradbury. Cook placed ninth individually.
McCreary Central FFA placed 10th in the Forestry Career Development Event. Team members were Joah Mills, Dawson McCoy, Kyler Winchester and Nathaniel King.
The following Kentucky teams and individuals competed in national career and leadership development events:
- Agricultural Communications, silver rating – Bourbon County
- Agricultural Issues, bronze rating – Taylor County
- Agricultural Technology & Mechanical Systems, bronze rating – Madisonville North Hopkins (Hopkins County)
- Agronomy, bronze rating – Menifee County
- Conduct of Chapter Meetings, silver rating – Western Hills (Franklin County)
- Creed Speaking, silver rating – Kyla Harris, Madison Central (Madison County)
- Dairy Cattle Evaluation, silver rating – Cumberland County
- Employment Skills, gold rating – Haylee Tucker, Locust Trace (Fayette County)
- Environmental and Natural Resources, silver rating – Montgomery County
- Extemporaneous Speaking, silver rating – Ella Smallwood, Menifee County
- Farm Business Management, silver rating – Spencer County
- Floriculture, bronze rating – Spencer County
- Food Science & Technology, silver rating – LaRue County
- Horse Evaluation, bronze rating – Christian County
- Livestock Evaluation, bronze rating – Lincoln County
- Marketing Plan, gold rating – Bourbon County
- Meats Evaluation, silver rating – Bethlehem
- Milk Quality and Products, silver rating – LaRue County
- Parliamentary Procedure, bronze rating – Western Hills (Franklin County)
- Poultry, silver rating – LaRue County
- Prepared Public Speaking, bronze rating –– Carolina Rhea, Woodford County
- Veterinary Science, silver rating – Locust Trace (Fayette County)
National Chapter Contest
The National Chapter Award program recognizes outstanding FFA chapters that actively implement the organization’s mission and strategies. These chapters improve chapter operations using the National Quality FFA Chapter Standards and a Program of Activities that emphasizes growing leaders, building communities, and strengthening agriculture.
Three Kentucky chapters were named National Premier Chapters, placing among the top 10 in the nation:
- Grant County – Premier Chapter – Growing Leaders
- Madisonville North Hopkins – Premier Chapter – Growing Leaders
- Caldwell County – Premier Chapter – Strengthening Agriculture
A total of 18 Kentucky FFA chapters received recognition in the National Chapter Contest.
Adair County, Carlisle County, Grant County, Graves County, John Hardin, Lynn Camp, Madisonville North Hopkins, Menifee County, South Laurel and Taylor County were recognized as National Three Star Chapters.
Clark County, Henderson County, Henry County, Jackson County, Jessamine County, LaRue County, McCracken County and Rockcastle County were recognized as National Two Star Chapters.
Harrison County was recognized as a National One Star Chapter.
Other National Recognitions
Trenton Page of Adair County served as one of nine members of the National Officer Nominating Committee. Page spent more than a week participating in an in-depth process to select the new slate of National FFA officers.
Chance Blevins of Lynn Camp represented Kentucky in the National FFA Chorus.
Clark Byrd of Todd Central, Caraleigh Silvey of Robertson County, Jacob Tomlinson of Gallatin County and Katie Beth Skaggs of Locust Trace represented Kentucky in the National FFA Band.
Josue Guerra of Spencer County was a semifinalist in the Spanish Creed Speaking Invitational. Zulekya Montoya of Nelson County Schools also participated in the event.
The American FFA Degree was awarded to 139 Kentucky FFA members. It is the highest degree awarded to members by the National FFA Organization.
For a complete listing of National Convention winners, visit the National FFA website.
Leave A Comment