Switzer wins Diversified Livestock Production Proficiency

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COLUMBIA, Mo., April 16, 2026 – Braxton Switzer of Bucklin won the Missouri FFA Diversified Livestock Production Proficiency Award at the 98th Missouri FFA Convention.

Switzer, a senior at Linn County Area Career & Technical Center, is the son of Keenan and Holly Switzer. He is a member of the Brookfield FFA Chapter. His advisor is Jessica Dobrzenski.

Switzer’s supervised agricultural experience consists of diversified livestock production, including beef cattle and swine. His entrepreneurship projects include a registered cattle herd of Angus, Simmental-influenced and Red Angus cows. He focuses on high-quality genetics, selling bulls and heifers while also marketing feeder calves. In addition to his own herd, Switzer works as a herdsman for Switzer Farms, where he manages daily feeding, calving and breeding decisions. His swine operation previously focused on breeding and raising show pigs; however, after a devastating barn fire in 2025, he transitioned his focus to purchasing show pigs to raise and market as butcher hogs for local customers.

As an FFA member, Switzer has attended the National FFA Convention, Missouri FFA Convention, LEAD Conference and Washington Leadership Conference. He has also shown his livestock at multiple state and national shows, including the North American Junior Red Angus Event and the Missouri State Fair. In addition to his showing and leadership events, Switzer has participated in career development events including Farm Business Management, Swine Facilities Management, State FFA Trap Shooting and Dairy Cattle Judging.

Outside of FFA, Switzer is a member of the American Junior Simmental Association and National Honor Society. He has also served as the president of the Wyandotte 4-H Club, Student Council and FBLA.

After high school, Switzer plans to attend Kansas State University to study animal science.

Proficiency awards recognize FFA members who excel as agricultural entrepreneurs, employees or volunteers while gaining hands-on career experience. Diversified Livestock Production is one of 45 proficiency award areas recognized at the state level. The Area 2 Agriculture Teachers 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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