The Missouri Department of Agriculture has selected 30 high school sophomores to participate in the 2026 Missouri Agribusiness Academy. This includes three 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, “For nearly 40 years, the Department has hosted some of the state’s brightest young agriculturalists to show them opportunities in many areas of Missouri agriculture. Like their predecessors, these students will lead our industry one day. We are excited to get to know this new class beginning in June.”
Since 1988, the Missouri Agribusiness Academy has awarded more than 1,100 academy opportunities through a competitive application and interview process for high school sophomores interested in pursuing agriculture-related college degrees and careers.
Three area students were selected for the 2026 class. They include:
- Jaylee Banner, Milan
- Brody Swindler, Norborne
- Claire Woodard, Trenton
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 2027 Missouri FFA Convention.