Burke wins Turf and Landscape Maintenance Proficiency Award

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COLUMBIA, Mo., April 24, 2025 – Spike Burke of Gilman City won the Missouri FFA Turf and Landscape Maintenance Proficiency Award at the 97th Missouri FFA Convention.

Burke, a senior at Gilman City R-4 High School, is the son of Kent and Pamela Tonnies. He is a member of the Gilman City FFA Chapter. His advisor is Daniel Chalfant.

For his supervised agricultural experience program, Burke operates a successful lawn care business, providing weekly maintenance services to 58 clients in his community. He manages a single employee and uses a fleet of professional-grade equipment, including John Deere mowers and Stihl hand tools, to deliver high quality results to his clients. With a strategic approach to scheduling and maintenance, he maximizes his productivity while minimizing the wear and tear on his equipment and travel time.

As an FFA member, Burke has participated in many different career development events. He has also participated in many chapter activities including fruit sales.

Outside of FFA, Burke is a part of the Red Angus Association and FBLA. He has served as the Sophomore Class Vice President and is also a part of the basketball team as the shooting guard, and the honor roll.

After graduating, Burke plans to expand his lawncare and landscaping business by 150% by the end of 2025.

Proficiency awards recognize FFA members who excel as agricultural entrepreneurs, employees or volunteers while gaining hands-on career experience. Turf and Landscape Maintenance is one of 45 proficiency award areas recognized at the state level. Pro Lawns, Inc. 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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