Zeilstra wins Fruit and Nut Production Proficiency Award

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COLUMBIA, Mo., April 24, 2025 – Troy Zeilstra of Brunswick won the Missouri FFA Fruit & Nut Production Proficiency Award at the 97th Missouri FFA Convention.

Zeilstra, a senior at Brunswick High School, is the son of Tom and Kerri Zeilstra. He is a member of the Brunswick FFA Chapter. His advisor is Kendra Krapfi.

Zeilstra supervised agricultural experience in fruit production as the owner of TKZ’s Orchard, a role built on years of prior experience helping with the family business. Early responsibilities included basic tasks like packaging and picking produce, but he now manages tree pruning, spraying for pests and weeds, fertilizing, watering, and handling finances. He also expanded the orchard by planting 120 peach trees, though a late frost in 2024 affected production. His role has grown from helper to full business owner and operator.

After graduating high school, Zeilstra plans include attending Northwest Missouri State University majoring in agronomy.

Proficiency awards recognize FFA members who excel as agricultural entrepreneurs, employees or volunteers while gaining hands-on career experience. Fruit & Nut Production is one of 45 proficiency award areas recognized at the state level. The Missouri State Horticulture Society 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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