South Dakota FFA agri-scientists honored during State Convention in Brookings

Fifty-four students received top FFA AgriScience Awards during the annual South Dakota State FFA Convention (April 24-26, 2022) in Brookings. The SD FFA Association recognizes students who gain real-world, hands-on experiences in agricultural enterprises.

Agriscience students use scientific principles and emerging technologies to solve complex problems related to agriculture, food and natural resources in six different categories (Animal Systems; Environmental and Natural Resource Systems; Food Products & Processing Systems; Plant Systems; Power, Structural & Technology Systems; Social Systems).  Projects involve extensive research as well as writing a written report including information on previous studies related to the topic, their research and findings. Students can compete in the AgriScience Fair as an individual or with a team in separate divisions:

I – Individual member in grades 7 and 8

II – Team of two members in grades 7 and 8

III – Individual member in grades 9 and 10

IV – Team of two members in grades 9 and 10

V – Individual member in grades 11 and 12

VI – Team of two members in grades 11 and 12

The top projects in each division will advance for a chance to compete at the National FFA Agriscience Fair at the National Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana this fall. The winners are as follows:

Animal Systems

The study of animal systems, including life processes, health, nutrition, genetics, management and processing, through the study of small animals, aquaculture, livestock, dairy, horses, and/or poultry.

Division 1, sponsored by Eichacker Simmentals, Salem Veterinary Service, Dakota Hills Veterinary Clinic and DeTye Vet Supply:

1^st – Julianne Grady, McCook Central

2^nd – Max Nordlund, McCook Central

Luke Horstman, McCook Central

Division 2, sponsored by Eichacker Simmentals, Salem Veterinary Service, Dakota Hills Veterinary Clinic and DeTye Vet Supply:

1^st – Abby Rotert and Emily Tuschen, McCook Central

2^nd – Olivia Rowley and Madeline Graff, Montrose

Division 3, sponsored by Fall River Feedyard and the Franken Family:

1^st – Colton Stiefvater, McCook Central

2^nd – Joseph Grady, McCook Central

3^rd – Kelsey R Vockrodt, West Central

Division 4, sponsored by Fall River Feedyard and the Franken Family:

1^st – Carter Evans and Spencer Rieff, West Central

2^nd – Chandler Carda and Fisher Flanagan, West Central

3^rd – Rhyanna Rudebusch and Peighton Hargrave, Wilmot

Division 5, sponsored by Dakota Hills Veterinary Clinic, Fall River Veterinary Clinic, Buffalo Ranch Supply and First Dakota National Bank:

1^st – Avery Miles, Doland

2^nd – Shayne Luzmoor, West Central

3^rd – Teagan Mason, Doland

Division 6, sponsored by Dakota Hills Veterinary Clinic, Fall River Veterinary Clinic, Buffalo Ranch Supply and First Dakota National Bank:

1^st – Ali Zacharias and Emma Kuhlman, West Central

2^nd – Peyton Meadors and Breanna Stofferahn, West Central

3^rd – Kennedy Foster and Katrina Kenton, Chester

Environmental Service/Natural Resource Systems

The study of systems, instruments and technology used in waste management; the study of the management of soil, water, wildlife, forests and air as natural resources and their influence on the environment.

Division 1, sponsored by Ducks Unlimited:

1^st – Noah Felderman, Doland

2nd – Alexis Pickett, Belle Fourche

3^rd – William Oyen, McCook Central

Division 2, sponsored by Ducks Unlimited:

1^st – Ty Oyen and Gage Egger, Tri-Valley

2^nd– Dawson Dorr and Kasen McIlravy, Montrose

3^rd – Tanner Thrift and Taylor Thrift, McCook Central

Division 3, sponsored by Koupal Lazy EY Angus Ranch, Dry Creek Farm & Ranch and the Pennington County Conservation District and Farm Credit Services of America:

1^st – Karlie Stiefvater, McCook Central

2^nd – Tyler Groenewold, Tri-Valley

3^rd – Ella Johnson, Hitchcock-Tulare

Division 4, sponsored by Koupal Lazy EY Angus Ranch, Dry Creek Farm & Ranch and the Pennington County Conservation District and Farm Credit Services of America:

1^st – Harlee Nielson and Mikael Nielson, Hitchcock-Tulare

2^nd – Reagan Pearson and Corie Wicks, Tri-Valley

3^rd – Zach Espinoza and Jude Jarding, West Central

Division 5, sponsored by ProAg Engineering, Inc.:

1^st – Jack Linneman, West Central

2^nd – Greeley LaBrie, Doland

3^rd – Dwight Kuhlman, West Central

Division 6, sponsored by ProAg Engineering, Inc.:

1^st – Andrew Rick and Bennett Sebert, West Central

2^nd – Megan Stiefvater and Mason Pulse, McCook Central

3^rd – Colton Mohr and Shane Lee, Edmunds Central

Food Products and Processing Systems

The study of product development, quality assurance, food safety, production, sales and service, regulation and compliance and food service within the food science industry.

Division 1, sponsored by the South Dakota Retailers Association:

1^st – Dannika Seaman, Doland

2^nd – Parker Randall, McCook Central

3^rd – Callie Kaufmann, McCook Central

Division 2, sponsored by the South Dakota Retailers Association:

1^st – Gracie Pedersen and Clara VanDerVliet, Tri-Valley

2^nd – Addison Gordon and Paislee Lindstrom, Montrose

3^rd – Avery Alley and Ashtyn DeKnikker, McCook Central

Division 3, sponsored by the South Dakota Retailers Association:

1^st – Raylynn Dehning, Colome

2^nd – Cody T Opitz, West Central

3^rd – Ava Sieverding, McCook Central

Division 4, sponsored by the South Dakota Retailers Association:

1^st – Jazelle Jarding and Jocelyn Nilson, West Central

2^nd – Katrina Hiles and Kyla Logan, Doland

3^rd – Ava Hofer and Kassie Eich, West Central

Division 5, sponsored by McCook Central FFA & Grain Millers, Inc.:

1^st – Maia Kennedy, West Central

2^nd – Kyler J Brenneman, West Central

Division 6, sponsored by McCook Central FFA & Grain Millers, Inc.:

1^st – Grace Harden and Wilson Droge, West Central

2^nd – Connor Siemonsma and Dylan Sherard, West Central

3^rd – Swade Reis and Melaya Dominguez, Chamberlain

Plant Systems

The study of plant life cycles, classifications, functions, structures, reproduction, media and nutrients, as well as growth and cultural practices, through the study of crops, turf grass, trees and shrubs and/or ornamental plants.

Division 1, sponsored by Next Level Ag:

1^st – Deegan Moes, Doland

2^nd – Olivia Knox, Doland

3^rd – Jenna Schnee, McCook Central

Division 2, sponsored by Next Level Ag:

1^st – Cali Benecke and Andi DeBoer, McCook Central

Division 3, sponsored by Central Farmers Cooperative and The First National Bank in Sioux Falls:

1^st – Tanner Eide, Gettysburg

2^nd – Paul Kaffar, McCook Central

3^rd – Jodyn Bawek, Doland

Division 4, sponsored by Central Farmers Cooperative and The First National Bank in Sioux Falls:

1^st – Zoe Dissing and Emery Pearson, Tri-Valley

2^nd – Lexi Nichols and Sydney Neel, West Central

3^rd – Kelsey Lehr and Clark Beyers, Edmunds Central

Division 5, sponsored by Brian and Codi Mills, Carl and Kari Sanders and Jim Chilson:

1^st – Grace DiGiovanni, McCook Central

2^nd – Ethan Boekelheide, Northwestern Area

3^rd – Ainsley Henderson, Winner

Division 6, sponsored by Brian and Codi Mills, Carl and Kari Sanders and Jim Chilson:

1^st – Nate Krier and Mathew Krempges, McCook Central

2^nd – Emma Husman and Sam Mallinger, West Central

3^rd – Hannah Sundberg and Megan Hermann, Gettysburg

Power, Structural, and Technical Systems

The study of agricultural equipment, power systems, alternative fuel sources and precision technology, as well as woodworking, metalworking, welding, and project planning for agricultural structures.

Division 1, sponsored by Meyerink Farm Service:

1^st – Zane McCormick, McCook Central

2^nd – Nolan Mutziger, McCook Central

3^rd – Derek Johnson, Doland

Division 2, sponsored by Meyerink Farm Service:

1^st – Tucker Peterson and Gavin Kipp, McCook Central

Division 3, sponsored by Butler Machinery and CTE Global, Inc:

1^st – Mason Tschetter, Doland

2^nd – Brady Braaten, Tri-Valley

3^rd – Jaxen Dockter, Wilmot

Division 4, sponsored by Butler Machinery and CTE Global, Inc:

1^st – Brody Ahlquist and Hunter Foster, Tri-Valley

2^nd – Garret Ziegler and Michael Oaks, Gettysburg

3^rd – Nolan Schmidt and Colby Carruthers, Tri-Valley

Division 5, sponsored by Jason and Gail Gullickson, Dacotah Bank, and Rufus and Patty DeZeeuw:

1^st– Addison M Bahrenfuss, West Central

Division 6, sponsored by Jason and Gail Gullickson, Dacotah Bank, and Rufus and Patty DeZeeuw:

1^st – Hanna Lee and Jesse Kline, West Central

2^nd – Kody Goehring and Dylan Stromer, West Central

Social Science

The study of human behavior and the interaction of individuals in and to society, including agricultural education, agribusiness economics, agricultural communications, agricultural leadership and other social science applications in agriculture, food, and natural resources.

Division 1, sponsored by Bayer:

1^st – Summer Koch, McCook Central

2^nd – Ella DeKnikker, McCook Central

3^rd – Logan LaBrie, Doland

Division 2, sponsored by Bayer:

1^st – Kaylee and Karlee Klinkhammer, McCook Central

2^nd – Ray Sandine and Richard Sandine, McCook Central

3^rd – Maria Muth and Aubrynn Erickson, McCook Central

Division 3, sponsored by SD Biotech Association and ADM Harrold, Miller, Tulare:

1^st – Lane Deutsch, McCook Central

2^nd – Jordan VanDeStroet, Canton

3^rd – Abbie Chase, McCook Central

Division 4, sponsored by SD Biotech Association and ADM Harrold, Miller, Tulare:

1^st – Lauren Roling and Maddy Lauck, McCook Central

2^nd – Reese Larson and Lenae Wiersma, Canton

3^rd – Kaizha Blaise and Abby Wagner, McCook Central

Division 5, sponsored by Farmers Mutual of Nebraska, Pioneer-Corteva and BankWest:

1^st – Ella Stiefvater, McCook Central

2^nd – Kayla Hamman, Wilmot

3^rd – Taylor Tennant, Gettysburg

Division 6, sponsored by Farmers Mutual of Nebraska, Pioneer-Corteva and BankWest:

1^st– McKenna Sichmeller and Josslin Jarding, West Central

2^nd – Avery Weber and Elizabeth Sechser, Montrose