Pottebaum wins Grain Production Proficiency Award

CONTACT INFORMATION

COLUMBIA, Mo., April 24, 2025 – Landon Pottebaum of New Florence won the Missouri Grain Production Proficiency Award at the 97th Missouri FFA Convention.

Pottebaum, a senior at Montgomery Co R-II High School, is the son of Landon and Mary Pottebaum. He is a member of the Montgomery Co R-II FFA Chapter. His advisors are Mary Leykamp and Amanda Sullivan.

Pottebaum’s supervised agricultural experience involves working at Ridgley Farms, where he supports a large-scale row crop and seed sales operation. His duties include operating and maintaining equipment, treating and delivering seed, and performing physical labor. Since starting in 2022, he has progressed from basic tasks to leading responsibilities, including training a new employee. His growth reflects increased skill, independence, and leadership in the agricultural industry.

After graduating high school, Pottebaum plans include working at Ridgley Farms until he leaves for college at University of Missouri, Columbia in the Fall.  He plans to study natural resources focused on fisheries and wildlife sciences.

Proficiency awards recognize FFA members who excel as agricultural entrepreneurs, employees or volunteers while gaining hands-on career experience. Grain Production is one of 45 proficiency award areas recognized at the state level. The Missouri Corn Growers Association 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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