Crowder ag students compete at state conference

(From Crowder College)

The Crowder College Agriculture Department took 20 students to Trenton, Missouri on November 11th – 13th to compete at the Missouri State Post-Secondary Agriculture Students (PAS) Organization Conference. The students competed in multiple contest areas, the goal of each contest is to provide agriculture students with the professional skills required to excel when entering the work force after completing their college degree.

In addition to winning competitions, Addison Spencer (Nixa) was elected to be the Missouri State PAS President for the 2025-2026 term. 

The conference also provided students the opportunity to network with peers across the state, as well as attend a tour of Roeslien Energy methane production plant. This facility has 17 farms, each comprised of eight swine barns, which produce methane that is then refined and sold to an energy company. Following the tour, Smithfield then hosted a dinner at their site in Princeton, Missouri, where students were able to mingle with representatives from across departments within the Smithfield company.

The Crowder Agriculture Department is proud to provide real-world opportunities for students to hone their skills and network to create beneficial connections for future endeavors. All 20 students qualified to attend the National PAS Organization Conference, which will take place in Branson, Missouri in March 2026. A full list of students and their placings in each contest area is provided below.

Career Planning: Prepares students in their field of agriculture regarding the career they desire to pursue.

Ag Education Systems:
Addison Spencer (Nixa), 1st Place

Agribusiness Systems:
Noah Duncan (Pittsburg, KS)-3rd place; Kolton Kleeman (Lockwood) 4th place

Animal Systems:
Aubree Rogerson (Stotts City)-2nd place
Lily Ballard (New Blaine, AR) 4th place

Plant Systems:
Castle Spieker (Aurora)-3rd place

Carer Progress: Evaluates students on their progress towards the career they desire.

Ag Education Systems:
Mya Lowery (Ash Grove)-1st place

Animal Systems:
Kyle Ferron (Seneca)-1st place

Employment Interview: Students compete in mock interviews with their resume, cover letter and employment applications, trying to obtain jobs in their career field.

Agribusiness Administration:
Emma Butler (Neosho)-1st place

Agriculture Education:
Mya Lowery (Ash Grove)-1st place
Addison Spencer (Nixa)-2nd place

Agricultural Equipment and Machinery:
Caleb Garvin (Anderson)-1st place

Agronomic Services:
Cassie Falley (Diamond)-1st place

Livestock and Dairy Production:
Kolton Kleeman (Lockwood)-2nd place

Livestock and Dairy Services:
Lily Ballard (New Blaine, AR) -2nd place
Aubree Rogerson (Stotts City)-3rd place

Forestry and Natural Resources:
Malorie Hance (Granby)-2nd place

Quiz Bowl:
Crowder College A Team:
Jason McCullough (Shell Knob), Jaxson Johnston (Springfield), Castle Spieker (Aurora), Lily Ballard (New Blaine, AR), and Mallory Hance (Granby)-2nd place

Crowder College B Team:
Kyle Ferron (Seneca), Mya Lowery (Ash Grove), Noah Duncan (Pittsburg, KS), Caleb Garvin (Anderson), and Cassie Falley (Diamond)-1st place