Fenner wins Diversified Crop Production Placement Proficiency Award

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COLUMBIA, Mo., April 23, 2025 – Tyler Fenner of Sweet Springs, Missouri, won the Missouri FFA Diversified Crop Production – Placement Proficiency Award at the 97th Missouri FFA Convention.

Fenner, a senior at Sweet Springs R-VII High School, is the son of Tom and Kristen Fenner. He is a member of the Sweet Springs FFA Chapter. His advisors are Kristen Fenner and Brent Niemeyer.

Fenner’s supervised agricultural experience program consists of working as a farmhand at Marshall and Fenner Farms, a diversified crop and cattle farm. He helps manage 3,500 acres of corn, soybeans, wheat, and forages. His responsibilities include operating equipment for planting, harvesting, and fertilizing crops, as well as maintaining and repairing machinery. In the summer, he is actively involved in the hay operation, including mowing, raking, baling, and hauling. He also assists with soil conservation practices in the fall and helps plant cover crops and wheat for future harvests.

As an FFA member, Fenner has been a national finalist for the Grain Production Proficiency Award and has been given the National FFA Diversified Agriculture Proficiency gold award. He received two National FFA SAE grants that allowed him to pursue the ownership aspect of his SAE. Fenner also has attended the National FFA Convention, Missouri FFA State Convention, and Area Leadership Conference.

In addition to FFA, Fenner is a member of the National Corn Growers Association, Missouri Corn Growers Association, and National Honor Society. He also participated in high school sports such as archery, football, basketball, and baseball.

After graduating high school, Fenner plans to complete the diesel technical program at Grand River Technical School then transfer to North Central Missouri College to study applied technology of agriculture. He then plans to return to the family farm to begin as the fourth generation of owner-operators.

Proficiency awards recognize FFA members who excel as agricultural entrepreneurs, employees or volunteers while gaining hands-on career experience. Diversified Crop Production in Placement is one of 45 proficiency award areas recognized at the state level. The Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council 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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