Miley Baumgartel of the Eureka FFA Chapter and a 2026 graduate of Eureka Junior/Senior High School, earned first place in the Sheep Production Proficiency category at the 98th Kansas FFA Convention on the campus of Kansas State University.
The award, sponsored by Hobbs Show Lambs, recognizes outstanding student achievement in sheep production. Baumgartel received a plaque and earned the opportunity to represent Kansas at the National FFA Convention, scheduled for Oct. 21-24 in Indianapolis, Ind.
The Sheep Production Proficiency award honors FFA members who own or work in businesses that utilize effective management practices to produce and market sheep, wool, and other sheep products.
Baumgartel’s supervised agricultural experience (SAE) is an entrepreneurship project focused on producing both breeding and market lambs. What began as a small operation designed to build sheep-management skills has developed into a structured agricultural enterprise.
She oversees breeding decisions, maintains performance and financial records, and works to improve flock genetics. In addition, she raises market lambs with an emphasis on feed efficiency, rate of gain, and preparation for exhibition and sale.
Through the project, Baumgartel has gained experience in animal care, record keeping, marketing and business management while working with mentors and utilizing family resources.
Other finalists in the competition were Mackenzie Krueger of the Burlington FFA and Kylie Stone of the Republic County FFA Chapter.
Baumgartel is the daughter of Jerrid and Jessica Baumgartel of Severy.
The Kansas FFA Association serves more than 14,300 agricultural education students in 242 chapters across the state. It is affiliated with the National FFA Organization, which includes more than 1 million members nationwide.
For more information, visit Kansas FFA Association. (Courtesy photo)
