March 17, 2025
2025 Missouri Agribusiness Academy Participants Announced
Thirty Missouri FFA and Missouri 4-H sophomores have been selected.
The Missouri Department of Agriculture has selected 30 high school sophomores to participate in the 2025 Missouri Agribusiness Academy. Selected students will spend a week in June in Kansas City exploring careers in agriculture, building leadership skills and learning more about farming, ranching and food production.
“The Missouri Agribusiness Academy is such a special program,” said Director of Agriculture Chris Chinn. “These young people will be leaders in Missouri agriculture. It is important to show them all of the opportunities available as they begin to plan their futures.”
Since 1988, the Missouri Agribusiness Academy has awarded more than 1,000 academy opportunities through a competitive application and interview process for high school sophomores interested in pursuing agriculture-related college degrees and careers.
Students selected for the 2025 class are:
Lucas Alexander, Seymour
Hunter Aufdenberg, Burfordville
Kierstin Bollinger, Jackson
Blake Bonderer, Winston
Isabella Compton, Washington
Wyatt Copenhaver, Lexington
Addison Counts, Warrensburg
Blake Cozad, Bolivar
Lillian Eddy, New Madrid
Adelyn Hawkins, Appleton City
Hailee Hein, Spickard
Reid Hemry, Gallatin
Keenan Kleiboeker, Stotts City
Leah Kleinsorge, Middletown
Peyson Larrick, Shelbina
Briar Montgomery, Brookfield
Sawyer Oesch, Princeton
Hayleigh Parrett, Steelville
Harley Pilkenton, Cuba
Jace Pipkin, Republic
Ava Porter, Dexter
Emma Rieke, Linn
Max Rost, Niangua
Claire Salmon, Lowry City
Addison Smith, Jackson
Stetson Stone, Centralia
Kate Strackeljahn, St. James
Kayne Walters, Centralia
Bailey Wheeler, Osceola
Lexie Yingling, St. Joseph
Beyond the summer agribusiness tour, MAbA members will have the opportunity to participate in Missouri State Fair activities, a winter Legislative Day and the MAbA graduation ceremony at the 2026 Missouri FFA Convention.
For additional details about the 2025 Missouri Agribusiness Academy, as well as more information on the Department of Agriculture, please visit the Department online at Agriculture.Mo.Gov.