Media contact:
Misti Preston
Phone: (573) 751-8596
Misti.Preston@mda.mo.gov

For Immediate Release: May 5, 2006

MDA Selects Students for Agribusiness Academy

(JEFFERSON CITY, Mo.) – Thirty high school sophomores from across Missouri have been selected to participate in the 19 th class of the Missouri Agribusiness Academy. Sponsored by the Missouri Department of Agriculture, the academy each year acquaints 30 students with career opportunities available in agriculture.

“The academy is designed to introduce students to the many career opportunities available in the agriculture industry, which is critical as they set future education and career goals,” said Fred Ferrell, director of MDA. “In addition, the academy enhances leadership and communication skills in all participants.”

This year’s group will tour Missouri agribusinesses and meet leaders in agriculture, government and education as part of the academy’s activities. The activities will take place June 12-16 in the St. Louis area.

Two independent committees selected this year’s academy participants from a field of over 160 applicants. To be eligible for the academy, individuals must be a high school sophomore and come from a farm family or 4-H or FFA group. Each student must submit a written application and take part in an oral interview.

MDA’s Market Information and Outreach Program sponsors the academy and pays for each student’s expenses, with the exception of personal spending money and travel costs to Jefferson City.

This year’s Agribusiness Academy members are: Kyle Chapman and Weston Shelby, Osceola Public Schools; Jana Haley, Eldon High School; Ellen Amos and Adam Distler, Russellville High School; Elizabeth Miles, North Shelby High School; Megan Westhoff, Scotland County R-1; Michelle Folta and Samantha Freeman, Troy Buchanan High School; Jacob Thompson, Silex R-1 High School; Cayanne Schlueter, Carrollton High School; Kate Hangley, Pattonsburg R-II; Aimee Gutshall and Emily Schmidt, Trenton High School; Lillie Raasch, Liberty Senior High School; Seth Lee, Couch High School; Jason Loepker, Union High School; Kimberly Rohlfing, Hermann High School; Bradley Deeken, Linn High School; Megan Brandt, Fatima High School; Andrew Clifton, Perryville Career Center; Daniel Johnson, Sheila Wade and Ross Wiginton, Jackson Senior High; Laura Mooney, Fredericktown R-1 High School; Cody McCann, Lebanon High School; See Yang, Wheaton High School; Dustin Mareth, Purdy R-II High School; Hannah Sloan, Neosho High School and B.J. Anderson, Walnut Grove High School.

For more information regarding the Missouri Agribusiness Academy, contact Loyd Wilson at (573) 751-5618 or via e-mail at Loyd.Wilson@mda.mo.gov. You may also visit the MDA Web site at www.mda.mo.gov.

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