North Shelby FFA Takes First in the 2025 FFA Swine Facility Management Contest

Columbia, Mo.,-On December 3, the Missouri Pork Association and the University of Missouri held the fifth annual FFA Swine Facility Management Contest in Columbia, Missouri. Twenty teams competed in this hands-on event which focuses on real-world jobs in the pork industry. The top five teams and top four individuals will be recognized at the 2026 Missouri FFA Convention in Columbia, Missouri, next Spring.

This year's first place team hailed from the North Shelby FFA Chapter. Team members included Trevor Douglass, Quintin Wiedeman, Lindy Schwanke and Trinity Dreckshage. Second place in the contest went to the California FFA, which included team members Preston McMillian, Benton Althoff, Haden Oliver and Madyson Harkins. The Brookfield FFA Chapter received third place, with team members Kelsey Sparks, Briar Montgomery, Destin Creel and Braxton Switzer. The fourth place Eldon FFA Team included members Emma Opie, Christina Bax, Kendall Taylor and Bryn Frank. In fifth place was the Marshall FFA Chapter and members Brylee Christy, Hunter Browning, Miles Allred and Gage Davis.

The contest also recognized the top four individuals in the contest, and will award scholarships upon their enrollment in a technical school, community college or 4-year university. First place went to Lindy Schwanke with the North Shelby FFA. Preston McMillian received second, and Haden Oliver placed third, both with the California FFA. In fourth place was Braxton Switzer with the Brookfield FFA.

The FFA Swine Facility Management Contest tested the knowledge of youth on issues pertaining to swine production-feed, water, air, facility management and recordkeeping. The event is based on the principles of We Care, PQA Plus and TQA to ensure producers are raising pigs in a safe environment and train youth in all skills that translate to careers in the swine industry.

Teams visited the University of Missouri's Swine Research Farm to evaluate an operational swine facility. Students completed a written exam, then moved through six stages in and around the facility to evaluate procedures.

The Missouri Pork Association represents the state's pork producers in the areas of promotion, research, education, and public policy. For more information about this or any other programs of the Missouri Pork Association, visit www.mopork.com, or call (573) 445-8375.

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