Kentucky FFA students were selected as finalists for the National FFA convention in areas of proficiency and the agriscience fair, and chapters across the commonwealth were chosen as finalists for national recognition. Students and chapters will participate in online interviews this fall. Winners will be announced at the 94th National FFA Convention & Expo from Oct. 27- 30 in Indianapolis.

Three Kentucky FFA members were selected as national proficiency finalists in their respective areas. They are:

  • Brian Gill, Caldwell County: Beef Entrepreneurship
  • Jacob Hinton, LaRue County: Fruit Production
  • Paxton Boldry, McCracken County: Landscape Management

Madisonville North Hopkins High School (Hopkins County) is a national finalist in the National Chapter Model of Innovation in the areas of Growing Leaders and Strengthening Agriculture.

Eight Kentucky FFA chapters were selected as finalists in the National Chapter Contest:

  • Bondurant Middle School, Carlisle County, LaRue County, Madisonville North Hopkins, Royal Spring Middle School, Spencer County and Taylor County qualified as National Three Star Chapters.
  • Scott County qualified as a National Two Star Chapter.

Eleven Kentucky FFA members were selected as finalists in the FFA Agriscience Fair. They are:

  • Blake Scott, Mason County: Environmental Science Division 1
  • Kate Burton, Royal Spring Middle: Food Science Division 1
  • Sara Baxter and Gracelynn Singleton, Casey County: Food Science Division 4
  • Alexandria Whitman, Green County: Food Science Division 5
  • Elijah Cowan, Mason County: Power, Structural and Technical Systems Division 1
  • Kaydence Brewer and Hailey Collins, Harrison County Middle: Power, Structural and Technical Systems Division 2
  • Ambry Shepherd, Williamstown: Power, Structural and Technical Systems Division 3
  • Sadie Perkins, Harrison County Middle: Social Systems Division 1
  • Chloe Ebelhar, Apollo: Social Systems Division 3

Matt Rowlette of Madison Southern High School was selected as a national finalist for the American Star in Agribusiness Award. Rowlette is one of only four FFA members who have been selected as a finalist in the agribusiness category.

FFA is a co-curricular student organization for individuals interested in leadership and careers in the science, business and technology of agriculture. The organization serves as one the three branches of school-based agricultural education, alongside classroom and laboratory instruction and experiential learning.

For more information, email Matt Chaliff, KDE program consultant for agricultural education and FFA Executive Secretary, or call him at (502) 564-3472.