Ridgley wins Agricultural Processing Proficiency

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COLUMBIA, Mo., April 16, 2026 – Avery Ridgley of Jonesburg won the Missouri FFA Agricultural Processing Proficiency Award at the 98th Missouri FFA Convention.

Ridgley, a 2025 graduate of Montgomery County R-II High School, is the daughter of Timothy and Tammy Ridgley. She is a member of the Montgomery County R-II FFA Chapter. Her advisors are Mary Leykamp and Amanda Sullivan.

For her supervised agricultural experience program, Ridgley works at her family’s business, Davis Meat Processing. The operation specializes in custom livestock processing and retail meat sales, including beef, pork, deer, sheep and goats. Ridgley’s responsibilities include packaging and labeling products according to USDA guidelines, operating equipment such as heat seal and roll stock machines, stocking retail inventory and assisting customers.

Ridgley also plays a key role in customer service by scheduling livestock for processing and taking detailed cutting orders. She helps guide customers through product options to ensure they receive cuts that meet their needs. During deer season, she assists with tagging and processing deer brought in by hunters.

Throughout her experience, Ridgley expanded her skillset and responsibilities within the business. She learned to identify retail cuts of meat, operate additional equipment, including a deli slicer and train new employees. Her SAE totals 765 hours of work experience and $11,382 in earnings.

Ridgley currently attends Oklahoma State University majoring in animal science and plans to transfer to the University of Missouri. She intends to pursue a career as a large animal veterinarian and continue working in agricultural processing while completing her education.

Proficiency awards recognize FFA members who excel as agricultural entrepreneurs, employees or volunteers while gaining hands-on career experience. Agricultural Processing is one of 46 proficiency award areas recognized at the state level. The Missouri Agribusiness Association 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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