Speiss receives Honorary State Degree

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COLUMBIA, Mo., April 17, 2026 – The Missouri FFA Association named Mariah Speiss, an Honorary State FFA Degree recipient at the 98th Missouri FFA Convention.

Speiss is the Young Leader Development Coordinator for Missouri Farm Bureau. She organizes the Missouri Farm Bureau FFA Fall Public Speaking Contest as well as works with the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education on the Missouri Agricultural Skills and Knowledge Assessment Industry Recognized Credential. Speiss Creates certificates and press releases for students who demonstrate proficiency skills that prepare them for future careers.

Speiss was an active Member of the Nichols Career Center FFA Chapter, where she served as chapter secretary and president, and received both her State and American FFA Degrees. Speiss was recognized in 2016 with the Regional Breaking Traditions Awards, which recognies outstanding non-traditional career and technical students.  Speiss graduated from Northwest Missouri State University in 2019 with a degree in Agricultural Business.

The Missouri FFA Association recognizes Honorary State FFA Degree recipients for their valuable efforts and contributions to the FFA organization and its members. Those eligible to receive the Honorary FFA Degree include farmers, school superintendents, principals, members of the board of education, chapter advisors, teachers, staff members in agricultural education, business professionals and others who are helping to advance agricultural education and the FFA.

The Missouri FFA has 27,000 members representing 369 chapters. The national organization has more than 1,042,245 members representing 9,407 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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