Brixley wins Dairy Production Entrepreneurship Proficiency

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COLUMBIA, Mo., April 16, 2026 – Jenna Kaitlyn Brixey of Norwood won the Missouri FFA Dairy Production – Entrepreneurship Proficiency Award at the 98th Missouri FFA State Convention.

Brixey, a senior at Norwood R-I High School, is the daughter of James and Jana Brixey. She is a member of the Norwood FFA Chapter. Her advisor is John Branstetter.

Brixey’s supervised agricultural experience  involves raising and managing a registered dairy cattle herd, focusing on the herd development, genetics, nutrition and animal health. She began her herd at a young age through the purchasing of her first heifer and has since expanded her operation through retaining replacement heifers and her family support. Her SAE emphasizes improving genetics through selective breeding, maintaining herd health through vaccination and disease prevention practices and managing nutrition programs to support production and animal performance. She also maintains accurate records and makes management decisions related to reproduction, calving and the herd improvement.

Through her SAE, Brixey has developed skills in dairy herd management, genetic selection, animal health care, and farm decision-making. She has gained hands-on experience in breeding strategies, calf and heifer development, and overall dairy business management while working to grow and improve her entrepreneurial herd.

Brixey has been an active FFA member since 2022 and has participated in agricultural education coursework throughout high school. Her experiences in managing her dairy enterprise have strengthened her commitment to pursuing a future in agriculture, with plans focused on agriculture education and continuing involvement in the dairy industry through herd ownership and management.

Proficiency awards recognize FFA members who excel as agricultural entrepreneurs, employees or volunteers while gaining hands-on career experience. Dairy Production – Entrepreneurship is one of the 46 proficiency award areas recognized at the state level. Midwest Dairy 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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