Twenty-six students from six schools in Kansas have been awarded the Kansas Department of Agriculture’s Kansas Agriculture Skills and Competencies Certificate. Of these, 22 were awarded the general certificate, two were awarded the animal science certificate and two were awarded the plant systems certificate. High schools with students earning certificates include Buhler, Centre, Ellsworth, Holton, Prairie View, and Republic County.

Students have completed requirements in the areas of classroom instruction, supervised agricultural experience (SAE) and FFA. They have demonstrated excellence in agricultural knowledge, career readiness and leadership development. Students must also maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher in all school courses to earn the certification.

Kurt Dillon, Kansas State Department of Education, said that well-prepared students are important to the future of Kansas. “We need well-rounded and capable students who are interested in working in agriculture. Students who have demonstrated the required proficiencies to earn this certificate should be congratulated.”

The Kansas Department of Agriculture is committed to establishing a dynamic and well-equipped workforce that meets the diverse needs of the agriculture industry today. “We need technical specialists to provide research in agronomy, technology and animal science fields,” said Kerry Wefald, KDA marketing director. “We also need skilled young people to operate high-tech machinery on our dairies, ranches and farms. Kansas agriculture is growing, and the industry requires a well-equipped workforce to help support that growth in our great state.”

These certificates have been endorsed by several industry organizations and employers:

• Kansas Animal Science Skills & Competencies Certificate: Kansas Farm Bureau, Frontier Farm Credit and Triangle H.
• Kansas Agriculture Skills & Competencies Certificate: FFA Foundation, Kansas Farm Bureau, Kansas Grain & Feed Association and Kansas Livestock Association.
• Kansas Plant Systems Skills & Competencies Certificate: Kansas Farm Bureau, Kansas Wheat, Frontier Farm Credit, Harris Crop Insurance, Hummert International, Scott Cooperative Association, Milliken Ag Concepts, and Middle Creek Seed.

Applications for the Kansas Agriculture Skills & Competencies Certificate are accepted each spring. To find more information, visit agriculture.ks.gov/ageducation.

Complete list of students: