Kansas Students Cultivate Future with Hands-On Ag Certifications

Kansas students have recently achieved a significant milestone by earning the Kansas Department of Agriculture’s Kansas Agriculture Skills and Competencies certificate. This recognition highlights their dedication to agricultural education, leadership development, and career readiness. A total of 43 students from seven high schools — Buhler, Cheney, Ellsworth, Holton, Lyons, Mission Valley, and Republic County — successfully completed the rigorous requirements necessary for this prestigious certification.

The program emphasizes a well-rounded approach to agricultural education, combining classroom instruction, supervised agricultural experiences (SAE), and active involvement in the Future Farmers of America (FFA). In addition to mastering technical knowledge and practical skills, candidates must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 across all school courses, ensuring that only the most committed students receive the honor.

Jason Larison, an agricultural education teacher at Holton High School, praised the achievement of these students, stating, “Students earning the Ag Skills and Competencies Certificate have truly taken steps to set themselves apart from their peers.” He emphasized that these students would be among the most well-rounded graduates in Kansas, not just within the field of agriculture but across disciplines. Their years of study have equipped them with hands-on experience, leadership qualities, and a diverse skill set that will serve them throughout their careers.

This certificate has been widely supported by industry organizations and employers for over a decade. Suzanne Ryan-Numrich, the marketing director at the Kansas Department of Agriculture, noted how crucial it is to cultivate skilled individuals as agriculture continues to evolve with new technologies and practices. She stated, “These students represent the future of Kansas agriculture — equipped with the training, experience, and leadership qualities needed to thrive in a modern, competitive industry.” The KDA celebrates their accomplishments and anticipates the positive impact they will make on the state’s agricultural landscape.

Applications for the Kansas Agriculture Skills and Competencies Certificate are accepted annually each spring, offering students a structured pathway to showcase their expertise and commitment to the agricultural sector.

Here is the complete list of students who received the certificate:

Buhler High School
Eliza Aldrich, Cassidy Banning, Ethan Barrett, Aivlynn Ehmke, Gage Elliott, Kyler Gillespie, Will Hanen, Brayden Henry, Payton Huffman, Brayden Leiker, Rachael Mourn, Madelyn Poepperling, Maecy Rosenberger, Ella Sanborn, Logan Schmidt, Scott Schweizer, Juliette Shank, Logan Snyder, Talon Sullivant, Jake Winters

Cheney High School
Gabriella Robben, Eliza Rosenhagen, Levi Self, Breanna Wells, Erika Wiese

Ellsworth High School
Will Donley, Rylee Holt, Cadence Togersen

Holton High School
Dylan Anderson, Noah Bartel, Madeline Bontrager, Samuel Dement, Braiden Geisen, Jace Huyett, Shianne Kimball, Lora Larison, Lucas White

Lyons High School
JT Denton, Peyton Kruse, Will Miller, Deacon Showalter

Mission Valley High School
Conner Hoelting

Republic County High School
Olivia Strnad