Brown wins Diversified Horticulture Proficiency

CONTACT INFORMATION

COLUMBIA, Mo., April 16, 2026 – Roper Brown of Seneca won the Missouri FFA Diversified Horticulture Proficiency Award at the 98th Missouri FFA Convention.

Brown, a senior at Seneca R-VII High School, is the son of Derrick and Somer Brown. He is a member of the Seneca FFA Chapter. His advisors are Angel Roller and Taylor Walker.

Brown’s supervised agricultural experience program consists of placement at R&D Lawncare and Landscaping, a family-owned business that has operated for over 40 years. His responsibilities have grown from basic mowing and weed eating to complex tasks including land surveying, plant selection and the installation of sod, irrigation systems, retaining walls and decks. He is proficient in operating heavy machinery, such as mini excavators and skid steers, for drainage-related dirt work and landscape preparation. Additionally, Brown manages employees and handles various business operations, including placing bids and selling jobs.

As an FFA member, Brown has served as a State FFA Convention Delegate. He has also participated in the National FFA Convention and attended the Area FFA Greenhand Conference and the University of Missouri Field Day. He has also competed in Career Development Events (CDEs) for Nursery/Landscape and Soils.

Outside of FFA, Brown participates in the Crowder College Welding Program and is an active member of the Risen Ranch Cowboy Church Youth Group. He also competes in the Missouri State Truck and Tractor Pullers Association and is a member of the Outlaw Truck and Tractor Pulling Young Guns.

After graduating high school, Brown plans to continue working in the family business with the goal of fully owning and operating R&D Landscaping within the next 10 years.

Proficiency awards recognize FFA members who excel as agricultural entrepreneurs, employees or volunteers while gaining hands-on career experience. Diversified Horticulture is one of 45 proficiency award areas recognized at the state level. MTI Greenhouse Solutions 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.

#  #  #

Click upper-right “Pop-out” icon to download full-sized photo