Rupp wins Agriscience Research Plant Systems Proficiency Award

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COLUMBIA, Mo., April 24, 2025 – Riley Rupp of Saroxie R-II won the Missouri FFA Agriscience Research- Plant Systems Proficiency Award at the 97th Missouri FFA Convention.

Rupp, a senior at Sarcoxie High School, is the son of Michael and Holly Dawson. He is a member of the Sarcoxie R-II FFA Chapter. His advisor is Benjamin Fizette.

Rupp’s supervised agricultural experience program involves working for Dr. Henry Nguyen at the National Center for Soybean Biotechnology at the University of Missouri. He has been involved in designing a new patented “Rhizoslide” project to simulate natural plant growth conditions in a large, controlled setting. He is responsible for recording data in various experiments testing chlorophyll levels, photosynthetic activity, oxygen levels, root depth, root health, and the number of nodules on each root system.

Following graduation, Rupp plans on majoring in natural resource science and management with an emphasis in forest resources at the University of Missouri. He intends to pursue a career focused on land and forest systems management.

Proficiency awards recognize FFA members who excel as agricultural entrepreneurs, employees, or volunteers while gaining hands-on career experience. Agriscience Research is one of 45 proficiency award areas recognized at the state level. FMC Corporation sponsored this award.

The Missouri FFA has 26,900 members representing 365 chapters. The national organization has more than 1,027,273 members representing 9,235 chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

The FFA makes a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education.

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