Dal Bentley of Laverne FFA Wins National Championship at 99th National FFA Convention
Oklahoma finished with five national championships in the Proficiency Awards handed out at the 99th National FFA Convention in Indianapolis- making our state third best in these individual honors handed out over five of the Convention General Sessions. California was the top state in national titles in the 45 Proficiency Awards announced in 2026- they had a total of nine with Georgia grabbing six and Missouri tying Oklahoma with Five Championships.
Agricultural proficiency awards honor FFA members who, through Supervised Agricultural Experiences (SAEs), have developed specialized skills that they can apply toward their future careers. Students compete in areas ranging from agricultural communications to wildlife management. Proficiency awards are also recognized at local and state levels and provide recognition to members exploring and becoming established in agricultural career pathways. It is expected that National FFA will greatly expand the Proficiency Awards in 2027, separating Entrepreneurship and Placement in all categories- and adding more categories as well.
Here are the five Oklahomans who earned National TItles in 2026:
Diversified Horticulture – Entrepreneurship/Placement
Zachary Allen of the Guthrie FFA Chapter in Oklahoma operated A-Z Lawncare, a diversified horticultural enterprise offering landscape installation, sod work, flowerbed design, seasonal plant sales, shrub and tree care, mulch installation, and plant-based property improvements. Allen grew the business from a one-person operation to a team of seven employees, and he plans to continue advancing the enterprise as a career.
Allen is supported by his parents, John Allen and Karen Allen, and FFA advisors Clay Drake, Savahanna Rennick and Dusty Oldenburg.
Ron Hays talked with Zach as he came off stage from winning his national title- click on the listen bar below to hear their conversation:
Poultry Production – Entrepreneurship/Placement
Dal Bentley of the Laverne FFA Chapter in Oklahoma operated Bent D Farms, a poultry production enterprise focused on egg production and the sale of replacement birds. Bentley managed up to 228 purebred hens and sold eggs to two local grocery outlets and off the farm. Between 2023 and 2025, he expanded his operation from two poultry breeds to six. Bentley is supported by his parents, Ty Bentley and Cynthia Bentley, and FFA advisors Sandi Kolbe, Nathan Lang and Gary Nagle.
Ron Hays talked with Dal as he came off stage from winning his national title- click on the listen bar below to hear their conversation:
Agriscience Research – Integrated Systems
Madilyn Bishop of the Stillwater FFA Chapter in Oklahoma conducted multi-year research focused on improving egg freshness, hatchability, and fertility detection using non-invasive methods. Over five projects, each built on the previous one, she demonstrated increasing independence, technical skill, and the ability to apply agricultural science to real-world poultry production challenges. Bishop is supported by her parents, Alex Bishop and Brandi Bishop, and FFA advisors Carl Nipper, Robby Branscum, and Bailey Kliewer.
Ron Hays talked with Bishop after she had been awarded her AgriScience Championship- click on the Listen Bar below to hear their conversation.
Equine Science – Entrepreneurship
Kynseth Zubrod of the Guthrie FFA Chapter in Oklahoma became co-owner and operator of a Percheron breeding and competitive hitch operation, where she managed up to 40 horses annually. Responsibilities included feeding, grooming, exercising, training, health management, breeding preparation, foaling management, and show preparation. Zubrod is supported by her parents, Chad Zubrod and Melissa Zubrod.
Ron Hays talked with Zubrod after she had been awarded the Equine Science Championship- click on the Listen Bar below to hear their conversation.
Agricultural Services– Entrepreneurship/Placement
Wyatt Parker of the Cherokee FFA Chapter in Oklahoma partnered with his brother to establish a custom baling business, baling for up to 17 farmers across their county. As business grew, investments were made in equipment, including a tractor, a baler and a trailer. He acquired essential skills, such as networking, finance, and equipment maintenance, to further his plans for a career in production agriculture. Parker is supported by his parents, Shane Parker and Chris Parker, and by FFA advisor Christy Snider.
National Agriscience Fair- Oklahoma Leads the Nation with Nine Titles
Oklahoma FFA grabbed the most National Championships of any state in the 2026 National FFA Agriscience Fair, with Stillwater FFA the leading Chapter in the nation again with six titles and Oologah FFA tied with Stephenville FFA of Texas as the second most honored chapter in America, each with three Championships.
The National FFA Agriscience Fair recognizes students who gain real-world, hands-on experiences in agricultural enterprises. Students use scientific principles and emerging technologies to solve complex problems related to agriculture, food and natural resources. The agriscience fair is for middle and high school students. Students compete in one of six categories in the agriscience fair and under one of the six divisions — either individually or in a team.
Here are the nine National Championships won by Oklahoma FFA during the 99th National FFA Convention.
Social Science: Division 1
Lyssa Wilmoth of the Stillwater FFA Chapter in Oklahoma
Animal Systems: Division 4
Zane Dyches and Blayklee Stelzer of the Oologah FFA Chapter in Oklahoma
Animal Systems: Division 6
Paetyn Gilliam and Eliana Timmons of the Stillwater FFA Chapter in Oklahoma
Environmental Services and Natural Resources Systems: Division 1
Audrey Arnall of the Stillwater FFA Chapter in Oklahoma
Environmental Services and Natural Resources Systems: Division 2:
Kylie Carter and Ellie Moore of the Stillwater FFA Chapter in Oklahoma
Plant Systems: Division 4
Hadley Tubbs and Jaxon Pickens of the Stillwater FFA Chapter in Oklahoma
Power, Structural and Technical Systems: Division 1
Blane Miller of the Oologah FFA Chapter in Oklahoma
Power, Structural and Technical Systems: Division 2
Aubrey Turner and Mathias May of the Stillwater FFA Chapter in Oklahoma
Power, Structural and Technical Systems: Division 3
Sofie Jensen of the Oologah FFA Chapter in Oklahoma
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