What the Proficiency Award Luncheon Is
The Kansas FFA Proficiency Award Luncheon honors the members who earned state proficiency awards for their Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) projects, the real-world agriculture work FFA members do on their own farms, in their own businesses or as employees. It is held during state convention week at the K-State Alumni Center in Manhattan and requires a ticket or pre-registration. The Kansas FFA Association runs it.
The most recent luncheon was Thursday, May 28, 2026 at noon in the Alumni Center Banquet Room, during the 98th Kansas FFA Convention. The next convention is June 1-4, 2027 in Manhattan; the 2027 luncheon date and time have not yet been announced.
The Awards Behind the Luncheon
Kansas FFA offers 45 proficiency award areas, ranging from Agricultural Communications to Wildlife Production and Management. In 2026, Kansas named 41 state champions, one per area. Many areas are split into Entrepreneurship (owning the enterprise) and Placement (working for someone else) tracks.
| Award level | What the winner gets |
|---|---|
| District | $50 cash and a plaque, presented at the District Banquet |
| State | $250 cash and a plaque, presented at the Kansas FFA Convention; sponsored by the Kansas FFA Foundation |
| National finalist | $500 cash and a pin, presented at the National FFA Convention |
| National winner | $500 cash and a pin, presented at the National FFA Convention |
Who Can Win and How to Apply
- Members may apply while in FFA or within one year after high school graduation.
- To compete above the chapter level, an applicant must have kept two full calendar years of FFA records.
- Local deadlines are set by the chapter advisor.
- District award-winning applications are due to the state by March 10.
- Winners advance through district and state competition toward the national level.
Who Won in 2026
A sampling of the 2026 state champions: Agricultural Communications, Nell Goss (Ellsworth); Agricultural Education, Erica Lieb (Pike Valley); Beef Production Entrepreneurship, Tava Gustafson (Chapman); Beef Production Placement, Taylor Gudde (Labette County); Dairy Production Entrepreneurship, Lauren Benfer (Clay Center); Diversified Agricultural Production, Logan Leiker (Hays); Equine Science Entrepreneurship, Karli Haase (Ellsworth); Grain Production, Arika Feldman (Little River); Poultry Production, Clara Seiler (Andale); Sheep Production, Miley Baumgartel (Eureka); Swine Production Entrepreneurship, Hadley Huseman (Ellsworth); Turf and Landscape Maintenance, Easton Ford (Manhattan); Veterinary Science, Eliza Rosenhagen (Cheney); and Wildlife Production and Management, Sadie Aylward (Andale). Agriscience Research champions came from Junction City (Animal Systems and Integrated Systems) and Ellsworth (Plant Systems). All 41 winners represent Kansas at the National FFA Convention and Expo.
Where
K-State Alumni Center, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS. In 2026 the luncheon was in the Alumni Center Banquet Room.
Questions
Do I need a ticket?
Yes. Pre-registration or a ticket is required.
Is it only for the winners?
The luncheon honors proficiency award winners. Sponsors of the awards are also invited.
Who do I call?
The Kansas FFA Association, 110 Umberger Hall, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506: (785) 532-6424.
Official Links
- Kansas FFA Proficiency Awards: eligibility, deadlines and award amounts
- 2026 proficiency award winners
- 98th convention schedule
- 2026 tentative schedule (PDF)
- 2027 state events
Other Upcoming Events Nearby
- K-State Ag Ed Speech Event
Public speaking event for Kansas FFA students on January 30, 2027 at the K-State Student Union in Manhattan, hosted with K-State Agricultural Education.
- K-State Career Development Events (Kansas FFA State CDEs)
Kansas FFA state Career Development Events are scheduled for May 2-4, 2027 in Manhattan. Chapters compete in judging, evaluation and skills contests; the 2026 round was held May 3-5.
- Kansas FFA State Convention
The 99th Kansas FFA Convention is set for June 1-4, 2027 in Manhattan. The 2026 convention ran May 26-29 at McCain Auditorium with a theme of Cultivate. Grow Leaders. Lead Change.
- Kansas Livestock Association Convention and Trade Show
Held each year; the most recent dates were November 19-21, 2025. Cattlemen gather for the banquet and live auction, Beef Industry University, committee meetings and the membership breakfast with policy votes.
- Kansas Farm Bureau Annual Meeting
Held each year; the most recent dates were December 6-8, 2025 for the 107th meeting. Workshops, a tradeshow, awards banquet and a delegate vote on 2026 policy, with a keynote from the American Farm Bureau president.
Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.