MANHATTAN, Kansas – Josie Strauss of the Chapman FFA chapter won first place in the Agricultural Education Proficiency at the 97th Kansas FFA Convention, May 28–30, 2025, on the Kansas State University campus.
Strauss will receive the option to compete at the National FFA Convention against other competitors from across the United States, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The National FFA Convention will be held from Oct. 29 through Nov. 1, 2025, in Indianapolis, Indiana.
The Agricultural Education Proficiency is designed to relate to education and extension, including, but not limited to, youth mentoring, agricultural education departmental assistants, PALS mentors and student coordinators, developing and conducting informational materials and presentations for civic organizations and school-aged youth, and students who are involved in SAEs surrounding educating the public about the broad topics of agriculture, agriculture education and FFA.
Runners-up in no particular order: Nora Bosse, Wamego FFA chapter; Maggie Chandler, Neodesha FFA chapter.
This award is sponsored by the Harmon Bliss Family and the Kurt Dillon Family.