The Missouri Department of Agriculture has selected 30 high school sophomores to participate in the 2025 Missouri Agribusiness Academy. This includes four students from the KCHI listening area. Selected students will spend one week in June in Kansas City, exploring careers in agriculture, building leadership skills, and learning more about farming, ranching, and food production.
Missouri’s Director of Agriculture Chris Chinn says “The Missouri Agribusiness Academy is such a special program. 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.
Four area students were selected for the 2025 class. They include:
- Blake Bonderer, Winston
- Hailee Hein, Spickard
- Reid Hemry, Gallatin
- Briar Montgomery, Brookfield
In addition to the summer agribusiness tour, they will have the opportunity to participate in Missouri State Fair activities, a winter Legislative Day, and a graduation ceremony at the 2026 Missouri FFA Convention.
