Eleven former members of the West Holmes FFA chapter will receive the American FFA Degree during the National FFA Convention in November 2025, according to the National FFA Organization’s published recipients list and a Farm and Dairy roundup. The recipients — Maison Carter, Laina Croskey, Maren Drazaga, John Maloney, Derek Miller, Wyatt Myers, Torrie Savage, Taelor Patterson, Bree Pringle, Wyatt Schlauch, and Tyler Zimmerly — represent a cohort of alumni from West Holmes Local Schools in Millersburg who met rigorous standards for leadership, supervised agricultural experience and community service.

The announcement first appeared on the National FFA Organization’s list of 2025 American FFA Degree recipients on Aug. 15, 2025, and was reinforced by Farm and Dairy’s Oct. 23, 2025, news roundup, which also noted a Sept. 22 chapter meeting at the farm in Walnut Creek where members nominated Janessa Hill for an Honorary American Degree. The awards will be presented during the 98th National FFA Convention & Expo — likely set in Indianapolis, Indiana — where the American FFA Degree is traditionally conferred to roughly 1% of FFA members nationwide, underscoring the selectivity of the honor.

For Holmes County, where agriculture, dairy and associated industries remain central to the local economy, the distinction carries both symbolic and practical weight. Tenure in agricultural education programs like the West Holmes FFA helps translate classroom learning into supervised agricultural experiences and leadership roles that feed into the local labor market. With farmers and agribusinesses contending with fluctuating commodity prices and ongoing labor constraints, a pipeline of experienced young professionals can ease recruitment pressures and introduce new skills in management, technological adoption and sustainability practices.

The local recognition also bolsters community reputation and may influence future enrollment in agriscience pathways at West Holmes Local Schools. Producing 11 national-degree recipients in a single year signals program effectiveness and may attract attention from state education and agricultural extension agencies considering funding or partnership opportunities. Policy-wise, the achievement provides a data point for advocates seeking sustained or increased support for career-technical education in rural districts, where returns on investment include workforce retention and enhanced farm productivity.

Economically, while the award itself does not directly alter commodity markets, it contributes to the human capital essential for long-term resilience. Recipients who stay in the region could support local supply chains, adopt innovative production techniques, and help farms adapt to market volatility. Conversely, if alumni pursue opportunities outside Holmes County, the area could face continued out-migration of skilled workers — an outcome local leaders monitor closely.

Several details remain to be confirmed, including the exact date and venue of the November awards ceremony and the individual supervised agricultural projects and career plans of the recipients. Local media and West Holmes schools indicate follow-up reporting will provide deeper profiles of the alumni and assess how this cohort’s achievements might translate into measurable economic impacts for Holmes County.