Avery Ridgley lives near Jonesburg in Agri-Ready Designated Montgomery County. As a member of the Montgomery County R-2 FFA Chapter, her Supervised Agriculture Experience (SAE) includes Horse Ownership and work at her family’s local meat processing company. Through 4-H, she serves on the State 4-H Equine Advisory Committee. She is one of thirty Missouri high school sophomores chosen to participate in the @Missouri Department of Agriculture’s 2023 Missouri Agribusiness Academy. Avery is proof of the POWER of youth in Missouri Agriculture.

Through her involvement, Avery experiences a wide variety of Missouri agriculture. Her dad and uncle raise row crops, her grandfather raises beef cattle, and another branch of the family operates Davis Meat Processing where Avery works at the retail counter and helps package and label meat. Davis Meat Processing is a USDA inspected facility that processes beef and pork. They create several flavors of bratwurst, sausages, and snack sticks that are offered for retail sale. The meat they process comes from local farmers.

Avery’s 4-H projects include horseless horse, horse riding, and swine. Avery became interested in horses because her grandma kept them on the farm. Six years ago, Avery attended her first horse camp and riding lessons and now she regularly participates in state level horse shows and Equine Public Speaking contests. She is employed at Boar Creek Stables. Avery learned about raising swine and she still enjoys showing hogs at her local county fair. Avery’s varied experiences with animal agriculture from pasture to plate made her an excellent candidate for the Missouri Agribusiness Academy.

Avery is one of only thirty Missouri sophomores chosen through a competitive application and interview process to become a part of the 2023 Missouri Agribusiness Academy (MAbA), sponsored and hosted by the Missouri Department of Agriculture. Members of the class spend a week during the month of June touring a variety of agribusinesses, reunite during the Missouri State Fair, and graduate during the Missouri State FFA Convention the following April. The 2023 Academy Tour focused on the St. Louis area, with a trip to the bootheel.

Avery was encouraged to apply for MAbA by her FFA Advisor. Practicing for the interview process helped Avery to grow out of her comfort zone and her work paid off. She earned a seat as one of only five youth to represent her district of the state.

The most memorable MAbA tour stop for Avery was the Purina Research Farm. She learned about internship opportunities and future career paths. The Purina site included a Horse Center and Avery learned about how horse feed rations are made, knowledge and information that will help her with her own horses. She was intrigued by the ‘horse-sized’ treadmill. “Before MAbA, I had considered going to college for Agriculture Education or Animal Science. The Purina Research Farm tour has pushed me towards an Animal Science degree. I think I might like to attend Mizzou,” Avery said.

While the Academy aims to exhibit paths to career success, it also serves as an unforgettable experience that bonds thirty young, excited agriculturists from across Missouri. “I would encourage any agriculture student to apply for MAbA. It was super fun, and I met a lot of new people that I feel like will be lifelong connections for me. Agriculture education will teach us how to inform people outside of our industry about agriculture. We need to do that to help the industry thrive,” Avery said.

Avery is the oldest child of Tim and Tammy Ridgley. Ms. Christine Ridgley and Ms. Megan Hans are her 4-H Club Leaders. Her FFA Advisors are Ms. Amanda Sullivan and Ms. Mary Leykamp. Avery serves as her Student Council Treasurer and is involved with Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA). Members of the Ridgley family are involved with the Missouri Cattlemen’s Association and the Missouri Association of Meat Processors, partners of Missouri Farmers Care.

There have been more than 1,000 youth participants in the Missouri Agribusiness Academy since 1988. To be eligible, students must have completed their sophomore year of high school. They should come from a farming family or be an active member of FFA or 4-H. More information about the Academy can be found here.