What is a Proficiency Award?

Agricultural Proficiency Awards honor FFA members who, through supervised agricultural experiences, have developed specialized skills that they can apply toward their future careers.

Nationally, students can compete for awards in nearly 50 areas ranging from agricultural communications to wildlife management. Proficiency awards are also recognized at local and state levels and provide recognition to members that are exploring and becoming established in agricultural career pathways.

Proficiency awards are based on a member’s Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE).

Proficiency awards recognize individual skills and career-based competencies developed through multiple years of participation in Immersion type SAE projects. To be eligible to compete for a Proficiency Award SAEs must be agricultural in nature, fit into at least one state recognized agriculture, food and natural resource (AFNR) pathway and meet the description of the award area in which they apply. Proficiency Award area descriptions are not meant to define SAE, they are areas in which members exploring and/or becoming established in specific agricultural career pathways can receive recognition. Not all SAEs will have a proficiency area available.

PROFICIENCY AWARD APPLICATION TYPES

Entrepreneurship: For members who own an enterprise through which he/she plans, implements, operates and assumes financial risks to produce products or provide services in one or more agriculture, food and natural resource (AFNR) pathways. Members who have Immersion SAEs that are Ownership/Entrepreneurship should use this application type. Members who own a share/portion/percentage of a School-Based Enterprise should use this application type. A member with a Service Learning SAE type may use this application type if ownership is involved.
Placement: For members who are employed by or serving an internship with an agriculture, food or natural resources (AFNR) related business, individual, or non-profit organization. These experiences may be paid or un-paid. Members with Immersion SAEs that are Placement/Internship should us this application type. Members who are employees of School-Based Enterprises should use this application type. Members with Service Learning SAE types which are not owned by themselves should use this application type.
Combined: For the proficiency award areas that are not split into separate entrepreneurship and placement areas (example: Agricultural Communications-Entrepreneurship/Placement) applicants may enter both placement and entrepreneurship records using the Combined application if the qualifying SAE includes both entrepreneurship and placement activities. If the SAE is in a combined (un-split) area but includes only entrepreneurship or only placement activities, apply using the entrepreneurship or placement application type, not a combined application type. Check this award area list to see combined (un-split) areas (this list changes annually).
Research: Members with agriculture, food or natural resource (AFNR) related Experimental, Analytical and/or Invention Research SAE types (see SAE for All Guide for full definitions) who are testing an AFNR related hypothesis, analyzing an AFRN related real-world problem or inventing an AFNR related new product or service.

Elk Grove FFA Past Proficiencies

State STAR in Agriscience

Annika Don '25-'26

Over the last three years, I have conducted 3 agriscience projects including testing cover crop ratio and milk storage temperature on the bacteria count. My first agriscience project used annual rye grass as a cover crop to suppress weed growth. Our chapter farm had been facing issues with weeds in our pumpkin patch where I helped manage. To help solve the weed growth issue, I researched the recommended planting concentration and then set up test groups with more and less than the recommended amount to determine the best ratios for suppressing weed growth. The test group with the recommended amount ended up with the least amount of weed growth. Being connected to Van Warmerdam Diary, led to my research for my next project. When exploring dairy related topics, I became interested in the importance of storage temperature to milk quality and production. I tested how the bacteria growth in milk was affected based on the temperature it was stored after being collected. I collected milk from his dairy and separated the sample into 3 groups on petri dishes. The samples were stored at 3 different temperatures; at, above and below the recommended degrees. I swabbed for bacteria before storing and after 12 hours to determine growth over time and how it was affected by the temperature. The recommended temperature ended up with the least amount of bacteria growth. This project was repeated for a second repetition with increased sample size to validate results in year 3.

State Agriscience - Integrated

Harper Kempen '25-'26

The freshman year experiment was conducted to determine if germinating wheatgrass seeds leads to a quicker growth rate than the control seeds. Both variables received 1/4 cup of water each day, and were given equal amounts of soil when they were planted. When being planted, the same amount of seeds were added to both the variable and control groups. The pots were placed in the same amount of sunlight and were subject to the same weather conditions during the experiment. The hypothesis for this project was “If wheatgrass seeds are pre-germinated, then the grass will grow to be taller than the non germinated grass”. The sophomore and junior year study determined how storage temperatures of raw milk affected the growth of bacteria prior to pasteurization. Two samples of unpasteurized milk were utilized and swabbed into two agar petri dishes making two test groups The raw milk samples were divided into three milk samples each and two milk samples, one from each test group, were stored into two different temperatures, one above the recommended temperature at approximately 60 degrees Fahrenheit and one below the recommended temperature at approximately 0 degrees Fahrenheit with a control at the recommended temperature of approximately 37 degrees Fahrenheit. After raw milk samples were stored in their appropriate temperature for 12 hours, all milk samples were swabbed onto six agar petri dishes, sealed and stored for a week before bacterial colony growth was counted and recorded.

State Agriculture Education

Amber Barnett '25-'26

Over the last three years, I have led our school’s special education students at the school farm, with a strong focus on providing hands-on agricultural education. What began as an opportunity to get special education students out of the classroom has grown into a weekly instructional opportunity where I teach practical life skills through agriculture. During the walk to the farm, I talk with students, explain the day’s tasks, and build excitement. I guide students in choosing their tasks and discuss why egg collection, greenhouse management, and animal care are important to agriculture. At the chicken coop, students learn to safely collect eggs, handle them properly, and understand the importance of cleanliness and food safety as we wash, store, and refrigerate them. Students who choose to work with rabbits learn daily animal care, including cleaning cages, providing fresh water, and measuring feed to show proper management. Most of the students enjoy greenhouse care, like trimming and learning about plants. After completing tasks, we explore the rest of the farm, where students see other livestock. I encourage them to ask questions and explain basic agricultural concepts, animal behavior, and where food comes from. Through weekly visits, the students gain agricultural knowledge, hands-on experience, and confidence. The program has expanded to include peers to increase mentorship opportunities that I supervise. Overall, the program has been truly impactful for all involved.

Regional Equine Entrepreneurship

Lauren Anders '25-'26

My SAE project included in my proficiency application is my entrepreneurship and ownership project involving my showmanship horses. Through this project I do activities such as cleaning stalls, feeding my animal, exercising my animal, grooming my animal, and other preparation tasks. When cleaning stalls, I typically spot-clean each stall daily and on Saturdays, I add one new bag of shavings to each stall to maintain a clean and healthy environment for my horses. Feeding is an important responsibility within my project. I hand-make grain buckets for each animal ensuring they receive all the nutrients they need, such as alfalfa cubes, base grain, electrolytes, or any medication. I normally ride my animal three to four times a week depending on the week. Depending on the weather, I will either brush or use a de-shedding scrapper to get their shedding hair off or any dried mud they have on them. For any show, they are given a full bath. This SAE project has helped me develop responsibility, animal management skills, and a strong understanding of proper horse care and show preparation.

Regional Sheep Production - Entrepreneurship/Placement

Gabriella Bambula '25-'26

My SAE projects consist of 3 market lamb projects, my breeding sheep operation, and a placement project. My placement projects are based at the Hein Ranch, where I help my grandparents in their sheep operation. My responsibilities include daily care, feeding, cleaning, and maintaining health. I work every day for 1-2 hours depending on the day. My own breeding sheep project currently includes 25 sheep and has taught me responsibility and hard work. I am responsible for feeding and watering them, ensuring they have a clean shelter and checking on their health to prevent illness or injury. I am also responsible for managing breeding operations, including choosing who will breed and to whom, when and making sure they are safe throughout the process. After new lambs are born, I also vaccinate and ensure health of the lambs to either add back into the herd or sell. Through my breeding sheep operation, I have expanded from 1 ewe in 2022 to 25 sheep currently. Each year the project has grown both in purchasing new sheep and breeding from my own flock. All sheep, both breeding and market also attend various shows throughout the year, so in addition to general management, I also maintain their hair and keep them clean for show.

Ornamental Horticulture Placement

Katelyn Campbell '24-'25

Throughout my three years at Elk Grove High School, I have been an employee at the school's greenhouse. I was a part of the first greenhouse crew which only included me and four other students. We began by learning the basics of greenhouse management, such as learning how to germinate, propagate, and transplant. While learning the basics, we also had to organize the plants and supplies, as the program had been unattended for years prior. After learning the basics, we began our now annual plant sales. These sales include a pumpkin sale in the fall, succulent and house plant arrangements in the winter, and another vegetable sale in the spring. The profits from these sales go back into the program, to support students' animal projects or fund the purchasing of their FFA jackets. While I was the only student left of the original group by the beginning of my second year, we continued to grow the program. We began experimenting with new routines, and I individually continued to build upon my horticulture skills and knowledge. During this time, we fixed the wall evaporative cooler, and grew our stock of plants within the greenhouse and have also gained new technology, like our germination chamber, all working together to make our greenhouse program much more efficient than when it started. This year, I have been promoted to greenhouse manager and work at least four days every week to maintain greenhouse operations.

Beef Placement

Emily Melson '22-'23

My SAE project is an unpaid placement where I have worked on my family's cattle operation for the last four years. Arditto Ranches is a commercial cow/calf operation that runs approximately 250 head of cows and 16 bulls. My responsibilities have changed over the years, but currently on the operation are feeding, vaccinating, doctoring, culling, genetic management and assisting in the processing of the cattle. Day to day operations on the ranch consist of feeding four big bales (two alfalfa and two wheat, weighing anywhere from 1200-1500), I use the tractor with the hay grinder implement attached and feed the cows in the feed bunks. After all the cows are fed I will drive through the herd to ensure that none are sick. My other responsibilities on this operation are to help when we are branding and working cattle. During this time I will assist with worming, vaccinating and fly spraying the cows. I also work new calves getting them ear tagged, ear notched, vaccinated, branded and castrated (if they are a bull calf). Checking and repairing fence while riding through the herd on checks is also a common job of mine when we have grass for the cows to graze and are not feeding. As my skills have developed on the operation, I have also taken on the role of selecting bulls for breeding and making selection choices for replacement heifers. My experiences during this placement have given me the skills to be successful in my future goals.

Agricultural Education – Entrepreneurship/Placement

Relates 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. NOTE: Creation or use of media for use other than educating the public about the stated topics belongs in either the Agricultural Communications or Agricultural Services proficiency award areas, depending on its intended use. Serving as an FFA officer is not an SAE project

Agricultural Mechanics Design and Fabrication – Entrepreneurship/Placement

Involves the design and construction of agricultural/natural resource equipment and/or structures for use in or related to any existing agricultural proficiency award area. Materials may include wood, metal, plastic, leather, concrete, electrical, plumbing, data communication components, etc. Excavation, heating, ventilation and/or air conditioning for agricultural/natural resource structures or equipment fits this area. May also include the development of new and emerging agricultural technologies such as engineering, remote sensing, precision agriculture, ag-robotics and other new technologies not covered by another proficiency award area. NOTES: Items such as toys, jewelry, furniture, t-shirts, banners, plaques, art and all facets of residential construction are considered non-agricultural and not eligible

Agricultural Mechanics Repair and Maintenance – Entrepreneurship

Member owns an enterprise or business involving the repair and maintenance of agricultural equipment (including lawn and landscape equipment) and/or structures, including agricultural power systems such as mechanical, electrical, chemical, wind, solar and/or waterpower. This includes agricultural equipment restoration where a student owns the piece of equipment. Note: Personal and non-agricultural vehicles/equipment are considered non-agricultural (i.e.: racing or classic cars) and are not eligible

Agricultural Mechanics Repair and Maintenance – Placement

Member works for an employer involved in the repair and maintenance of agricultural equipment (including lawn and landscape equipment) and/or structures, including agricultural power systems such as mechanical, electrical, chemical, wind, solar and/or waterpower. This area includes agricultural equipment restoration where the member does not own the piece of equipment. Note: Personal and non-agricultural vehicles/equipment are considered non-agricultural (i.e.: racing or classic cars) and are not eligible.

Agricultural Processing – Entrepreneurship/Placement

A member owns an enterprise or works for a business of assembling, transporting, processing, fabricating, mixing, packaging and storing food and nonfood agricultural products. Programs could include processing meat, milk, honey, cheese, raisins and other dried fruits, maple syrup and/or other food processing. Nonfood products could include byproducts processing such as meat, bone, fish and blood meal, tallow, hides; processing of wool and cotton, making compost, cubing and pelleting of forages, producing bird seed and other pet foods. Project may include, but not solely be, the sale of the processed product. NOTE: This area does not include any production of raw products (animals and plants) only processing them. Processing of nonfood forest products is not included in the agricultural processing area, see the Forest Management and Products area

Agricultural Sales-Entrepreneurship

A member owns an enterprise focused on the acquiring, marketing, and re-selling of FINISHED agricultural/natural resource products not covered in a more appropriate proficiency award category. This includes sales of feed, seed, fertilizer, agricultural chemicals, agricultural equipment, landscaping materials, horticulture products, agricultural machinery, agricultural structures, etc. This area does not include the production or processing of products. FLORICULTURE NOTE: A member owned retail floral design and/or sales business, which does not raise its own flowers, qualifies in this area. (See the Diversified Horticulture and Specialty Crop descriptions for floriculture projects that include raising flowers.) WILD GROWN/FORAGED NOTE: Foraging, marketing, and selling raw plant products that are not in any way grown or cultivated by human assistance qualifies in this area. (Examples include but are not limited to: wild berries, fruit, nuts, mushrooms, truffles, ramps, dandelion greens, etc.) Application should focus on marketing and selling the products.

Agricultural Sales-Placement

A member works for an enterprise or business focused on acquiring, marketing, and selling agricultural/natural resource products not covered in a more appropriate proficiency award category. This includes sales of feed, seed, fertilizer, agricultural chemicals, agricultural equipment, landscaping materials, horticulture products, agricultural machinery, agricultural structures, etc. This area does not include the production or processing of products. Floriculture NOTE: A member who works for a retail floral design and/or sales business, which does not raise its own flowers, qualifies in this area. (See the Diversified Horticulture and Specialty Crop descriptions for members who work for a floral enterprise which includes raising flowers.) WILD GROWN/FORAGED NOTE: Working for an organization foraging, marketing, and selling raw plant products that are not in any way grown or cultivated by human assistance qualifies in this area. (Examples include but are not limited to: wild berries, fruit, nuts, mushrooms, truffles, ramps, dandelion greens, etc.) Application should focus on marketing and selling the products

Agricultural Services – Entrepreneurship/Placement

Member owns or works for an agricultural business whose primary activity is to provide agricultural services that are not covered in any other proficiency award area. This includes agricultural enterprises such as custom equipment operation, agricultural management and financial services, animal breeding services, custom baling, crop scouting, implementing integrated pest management programs, horseshoeing, taxidermy services, auction services (working at or owning the auction business), commercial agricultural well drilling, residential tree removal service, custom and contract feeding services, marketing/advertising of agricultural products through social media, print, radio and TV, soil/crop testing, animal feed ration testing or development and other agricultural services. NOTE: Activities related to lawn care, landscaping, mowing or other landscape and yard care activities are not included in this area. See Landscape Installation or Turf & Landscape Maintenance

Agriscience Research Proficiency Awards

are designed for those students actively engaged in agriscience research and experimentation. This includes members who are actively engaged in doing their own research individually or who may be cooperating on research projects with others including but not limited to teams in school, experiment stations or colleges/universities. The applicant must be actively involved in all of the following: development of the experimental design, formulation of the hypothesis, collection of data, interpretation of the data and publicizing the results to be considered for an Agriscience Research Proficiency Award.

Agriscience Research - Animal Systems - Research in the life processes, health, nutrition, genetics, management, and processing of animal systems related to small animals, aquaculture, livestock, dairy, horses and/or poultry.

Agriscience Research - Integrated Systems - Must fit one of the following descriptions:

Diversified Research – Research in two or more of the agriscience research areas. Environmental Service Systems/Natural Resource Systems Research - Research in the systems, instruments and technology used in environmental service and/or natural resources and their influence on the environment.

Food Products and Processing Systems Research - Research in the product development, quality assurance, food safety, production, sales and service, regulation and compliance, and food service practices within the food industry.

Power, Structural and Technical Systems Research - Research in the agricultural equipment, power systems, alternative fuel sources and precision technology, as well as woodworking, metalworking, welding, and project planning for agricultural structures.

Social Sciences Research - Research of leadership, personal growth, and career success skills necessary for a chosen profession that effectively contributes to society.

Agriscience Research - Plant Systems - Research in the life cycles, classifications, functions, practices of plant systems related to crops, turf grass, trees, and shrubs and/or ornamental plants.

Beef Production- Entrepreneurship

Member owns the enterprise or business that uses the best management practices available to efficiently produce and market beef. This award area is for any animals raised mainly to produce beef and all beef breed animals, including miniature Herefords, Zebu, etc.

Beef Production- Placement

Member works for a livestock producer applying the best management practices available to efficiently produce and market beef. This award area is for any animals raised mainly to produce beef and all beef breed animals, including miniature Herefords, Zebu, etc.

Dairy Production- Entrepreneurship

Member owns an enterprise or business and applies the best management practices available to efficiently produce and market dairy cattle, including the raising of breeding animals for dairy purposes (i.e., bulls and heifers) and raw dairy cattle products. This award area also includes enterprises in which a member leases cattle for dairy production

Dairy Production- Placement

Member works in an enterprise or business applying the best management practices available to efficiently produce and market dairy cattle, including the raising of breeding animals for dairy purposes (i.e., bulls and heifers) and raw dairy cattle products

Diversified Agricultural Production - Entrepreneurship/Placement-

Involves the use of the best management practices available to produce and market a combination of livestock and crops in two or more proficiency areas. These areas include at least one species included in Diversified Livestock and at least one species included in Diversified Crop proficiency area

Diversified Crop Production – Entrepreneurship

Member owns an enterprise or business that applies the best management practices available to efficiently produce and market crops from two or more of the following proficiency areas: grain production, fiber & oil crop production, forage production, specialty crop production (excluding floriculture production), vegetable production or fruit production.

Diversified Crop Production – Placement

Member works for a business that applies the best management practices available to efficiently produce and market crops from two or more of the following proficiency areas: grain production, fiber & oil crop production, forage production, specialty crop production (excluding floriculture production), vegetable production or fruit production.

Diversified Horticulture – Entrepreneurship/Placement

Member owns or works for an enterprise or business that applies the best management practices available to efficiently produce and market plants/arrangements from two or more of the following proficiency areas: landscape installation, nursery operations, turf & landscape maintenance, floricultural production accepted in specialty crop production, and floral design/marketing accepted in agricultural sales

Diversified Livestock Production – Entrepreneurship/Placement

Involves the use of the best management practices available to efficiently produce and market a combination of animals for two or more of the livestock-related proficiency award areas. These areas include beef, dairy, sheep, swine, equine, goat, specialty animal, poultry or small animal production and care

Environmental Science and Natural Resources Management – Entrepreneurship /Placement

Students receive practical experience concerned with the principles and practices of managing and/or improving the environment and natural resources. Activities may include the areas of management of agriculture waste (excluding common compliance with EPA regulations) recycling of agriculture products, environmental cleanup, land/wetland reclamation, serving in the conservation corps; managing agricultural energy usage (not for building or maintaining), multiple uses of resources, land use regulations pertaining to soil, water and air quality, preservation of wetlands, shorelines, and grasslands, erosion prevention practices; installing subsurface drainage, public relations and education concerning pollution. NOTES: 1. Projects that solely install/maintain drainage tiling systems belong in agricultural services. 2. Activities primarily for the purpose of creating or improving wildlife habitat or producing and managing wildlife are not eligible in this area, see Wildlife Production and Management.

Equine Science - Entrepreneurship

Student owns an enterprise or business that provides experiences in horse production, breeding, marketing, showing and other aspects of the equine industry. Programs may also include the training and/or management of horses for activities such as but not only roping, racing, rodeo, show, riding lessons and therapeutic horseback riding if horses are owned and/or managed by the member. Miniature horses are included in this proficiency area. NOTE: Participation in events in which equine are used but where activities do not involve the above may belong in other areas.

Equine Science- Placement

Student works for an employer providing experiences in horse production, breeding, marketing, showing and other aspects of the equine industry. Programs may also include the training and/or management of horses for activities such as but not only roping, racing, rodeo, show, riding lessons and therapeutic horseback riding if horses are not owned but are managed by the member. Miniature horses are included in this proficiency area. Note: Participation in events in which equine are used but where activities do not involve the above may belong in other areas

Fiber and Oil Crop Production – Entrepreneurship/Placement

Member owns the enterprise or works for a business that includes the best management practices available to efficiently produce and market crops for fiber and/or oil such as cotton, sisal, hemp, soybeans, sesame seed, flax, mustard, canola, castor beans, sunflower, peanuts, dill, spearmint, and safflower. The harvesting, baling, marketing, and selling of straw and/or corn stalks for all purposes other than forage fits in this area. (Projects which include producing grain include the straw as a portion of the grain production project and apply in Grain Production.)

Dairy Production- Placement

Examples of Past National Proficiencies

Get To Know the 2024 American Star Farmer FinalistsThe American Star Farmer is awarded to the FFA member that demonstrates the top production agriculture SAE in the nation.

Meet the Finalists: 2022 American Star FarmerThe American Star Farmer is awarded to the FFA member that demonstrates the top production agriculture SAE in the nation.

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