Special honors for local FFA members during the 84th Kansas FFA Convention held on the Kansas State University campus in Manhattan.  

Among those taking top honors during the event is Axtell FFA member Austin Schmitz.

He received a State FFA Proficiency Award in Dairy Production-Entrepreneurship for outstanding accomplishments made in developing programs that will prepare him for a career in agriculture. 

Schmitz, the son of Joe and Amy Schmitz, owns 8 cows and 12 heifers, and is involved in every phase of the production process. 

Meanwhile, Schmitz also is named one of three FFA members who have the top Supervised Agricultural Experience programs, earning the Star Farmer, the Star in Agribusiness and Star in Ag Placement awards, sponsored by United Bank and Trust. 

Like his proficiency award, Schmitz earns the second honor for his dairy production work, with Kristin Strathman serving as his advisor. 

Also, during the FFA Conference, running from May 30th through June 1st, a total of 

21 students from the Northeast District FFA were awarded their State FFA Degree, the highest honor the Kansas FFA can bestow upon members. 

Among those meeting the qualifications, from the local area, are Schmitz, from Axtell;  Erik Cummings, Tara Ellerman, and Samuel Fischer, all of Atchison County; 

Tyler Dively, Derek Gibson, Aaron Halling and Dylan Wood, all from the Doniphan West FFA chapter; Jay Brintnall, Levi Lehmkuhl, and Shane Meenen, of Hiawatha; Garrett Holaday, Shannon Maxwell, Cortney Parry, and Jacob Yingst, of Holton; Rachelle Marie Coe and Shelby Bargmann, representing Jackson Heights; Katie Jo Parks, Maggie Schotte and Adeline Wassenburg, of Marysville; and Levi Berger, of Valley Heights. 

Also, as part of the state convention, eight 0ne-thousand-dollar scholarships were awarded to FFA members from across Kansas, by Orscheln Farm and Home Stores. 

Locally, named to receive a scholarship, is Schmitz.