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:
Kansas Agriculture Skills and Competencies Certificates:
Buhler High School
Brenden Bickel
Hayden Buek
Paige Carlin
Joseph Forbes
Isabella Garcia
Jacob Hanen
Ryan Klamm
Faith Kretzer
Cale McCabe
Hailey Moore
Centre High School
Grace Knepp
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Prairie View High School
Grace Aust
Bryan Butler
Brooklyn Peterson
Republic County High School
Amber Cherney
Jony Dahl
Anna Pachta
Kansas Plant Systems Skills and Competencies Certificates:
Buhler High School
Hayden Buek
Isabella Garcia
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Ellsworth High School
Kara Hays
Cassidy Kroboth
Holton High School
Quinn Kennedy
Savannah Phillips
Kortnee VanDonge
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Kansas Animal Science Skills and Competencies Certificates:
Buhler High School
Ryan Klamm
Cale McCabe
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