Ross wins Agricultural Communications Proficiency Award

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COLUMBIA, Mo., April 16, 2026 – Montgomery Ross of Carrollton won the Missouri FFA Agricultural Communications Proficiency Award at the 98th Missouri FFA Convention.

Ross, a senior at Carrollton R-VII High School, is the daughter of Devin and Seth Barnett. She is a member of the Carrollton FFA Chapter. Her advisors are Brooke Swinder and Megan Kiser.

Ross supervised agricultural experience includes job-shadowing Carrollton’s local KMZU Radio Station. She is also a member of agriculture leadership and communication class that includes teaching students about the fundamentals of communication. Ross was asked to write an article for Missouri Young Famers and Young Farm Wives Magazine. She also interned with the Carroll County Memorial Hospital Foundation to create an agricultural education mental health campaign.Most recently she created a video highlighting lives lost during farm accidents each month called Stay in your boots. Which led her to recognition in the Missouri FFA Magazine which highlighted her projects, publications and writing skills.

As an FFA member Ross has competed in career development events and at the Missouri State Fair. She has also competed in the Missouri Soybean Innovation Contest at the state level.

Ross’ future plans include attending University of Central Missouri, where she will major in management with a minor in agribusiness to help broaden her knowledge on the business aspects of agriculture. Upon graduation she plans to pursue a career where she can apply her skills to become a well respected and professional in the industry.

Proficiency awards recognize FFA members who excel as agricultural entrepreneurs, employees or volunteers while gaining hands-on career experience. Agricultural Communications is one of 46 proficiency award areas recognized at the state level. BTC Bank sponsored this award.

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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