Hillsboro High School FFA members received recognition at the 83rd Kansas FFA Convention on June 1 through 3 in Hutchinson.

Darren Mueller was recognized Thursday for having one of the best career development programs in the state at the 83rd Kansas FFA Convention.

Mueller received a state FFA proficiency award for outstanding accomplishment he has made in developing programs that will prepare him for a career in agriculture. He won his award in the area of dairy production entrepreneurship. He is a fourth-generation dairy farmer and owns nine milk cows, two heifers, and three bulls. He helps manage the business and sells bulls, embryos, and heifers to purchase cows. Mueller has learned to care for dairy cattle and make better breeding decisions. Through his supervised agricultural experience program, he has helped increase the average milk production per cow in his herd by 11 percent.

After high school, he plans to attend Kansas State University and pursue a degree in animal science so he can be a herd manager.

Ronald and Kaylene Mueller are his parents. Sonya Roberts is his adviser.

Duerksen receives state FFA degree

Kent Duerksen of Goessel High School FFA Chapter was awarded a state FFA degree Friday at the convention.

The state degree is the highest honor the Kansas FFA Association can bestow on its members. Requirements include being a member and agricultural education student for at least two years, earning at least $2,000 or working 600 hours in the supervised agricultural experience program, giving a 6-minute speech about agriculture or FFA, participating in eight leadership activities, earning a “C” average or better in high school, and showing a record of outstanding leadership and community involvement.

Chorus member

Shianne DeFreese of Goessel High School performed with a select group of FFA members in the FFA chorus at the FFA convention.