Thirty Sophomores Selected for the Missouri Agribusiness Academy

April 10, 2015

(JEFFERSON CITY, Mo.) –Thirty high school sophomores were recently selected to participate in the Missouri Department of Agriculture’s Missouri Agribusiness Academy. Students selected will spend the first week of June in St. Louis learning about many of the unique opportunities available in agriculture.

“Our youth leaders continue to advance the state’s number one industry, agriculture,” said Director of Agriculture Richard Fordyce. “These young men and women are the up-and-coming agriculturalists who will soon be the leaders we rely on to make decisions and tell the story of agriculture. Providing them the opportunity to learn from current leaders in the industry is an invaluable experience.” 

Students selected for the 2015 class are:
• Caden Farnan, Stanberry
• Mariah Fox, Galt
• Madelyn Warren, Dawn
• Emma Leamer, Chillicothe
• Mattison Ishmael, Gallatin
• Mikaya Wallis, Eldon
• Abigail Bertz, Mayview
• Allison Bertz, Mayview
• Elizabeth Knipp, Tipton
• Sara Gammon, Drexel
• Claire Ludwig, Linn
• Hayden Hurst, St. Thomas
• Austin Gerlemann, Hermann
• Kelsey Brandt, Linn
• Mollie Wibberg, Linn
• Ryan Bake, Fair Grove
• Hilsden Moseley, Exeter
• Grace Erickson, Bolivar
• Chance Wallace, Seneca
• Baleigh Raef, Lebanon
• Andrew Aufdenberg, Cape Girardeau
• Brynn Myers, Oak Ridge
• Connor Nordwald, East Prairie
• Morgan Brunk, Fredericktown
• Emily Mouser, Dexter
• Jacob Douglass, Shelbina
• Emma Criswell, Hartsburg
• Caleb Hudson, Middletown
• Aaron Mott, Rocheport
• Bailey Johnson, New Boston

During the 2015 Missouri Agribusiness Academy, the students will visit the University of Missouri in Columbia, Monsanto, Brighton Ad Agency, Mid America Biofuels in Mexico, Stanton Brothers Egg Farm in Centralia, Whole Foods, KWS Gateway Research Center, Mom’s Originals, Melvin Price Locks and Dam and Thies Farm/Greenhouse. The students will end their week with a graduation ceremony at the Missouri State Capitol in Jefferson City.

Since 1988, the Missouri Agribusiness Academy has awarded more than 810 academy memberships through a competitive application and interview process for high school sophomores interested in pursuing agriculture-related college degrees and careers.

To be eligible for the Agribusiness Academy, students must come from a farming family or be an active member of the National FFA Organization or 4-H.

For additional details about the 2015 Missouri Agribusiness Academy, as well as more information on the Department of Agriculture, please visit the Department online at agriculture.mo.gov.

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