FFA members are preparing for agriculture careers, learning the role agriculture plays in feeding and clothing the world, and looking for opportunities to grow the industry. FFA’s Career Development Events are built around ag industry careers, expose members to many of the opportunities and needs in the agriculture sector, and enable them to develop and refine their abilities to critically evaluate, effectively communicate and ultimately, succeed in future careers.
This year, 2300 South Dakota FFA members competed in 16 Career Development Events at the State FFA Convention. Congrats to our state Career Development Event winners:
Agricultural Business Management
Awards sponsored by United Animal Health and the team travel scholarships are sponsored by FarmHouse Fraternity at SDSU, Leisinger Farms, and United Animal Health.
1st Place Team: Hitchcock-Tulare; Advisor Shane Gross, team members: Jedidiah Waldner, Caden Bottum, Andrew Brooker, Danielle Nowell
- Kadoka
- Wessington Springs
Top Individual: Carter Lamont, Highmore
Agricultural Communications
Awards sponsored by the South Dakota Broadcasters Association and the team travel scholarships are sponsored by Dakota Farm Talk and Dakota Farmer – Farm Progress.
1st Place Team: McCook Central; Advisors Tracy Chase and Terry Rieckman, team members: Paul Kaffar, Elana Krutsinger, Grace DiGiovanni and Abby Wagner
- West Central
- Harrisburg
Top Individual: Lexi Nichols, West Central
Agricultural Technology and Mechanical Systems
Awards and drills for each of the top 10 individuals sponsored by the CHS Foundation and the team travel scholarships are sponsored by CHS Foundation and Grossenburg Implement The top place team also received a new welder from the Lincoln Electric Company.
1st Place Team: Miller; Advisor Mark Ketelhut, team members: Jaden Anderberg, Briggs Runge and Trevor Werdel
- Brookings
- Gregory County
Top Individual: Jaden Anderberg, Miller
Agronomy
Awards are sponsored by Wilbur Ellis and the team travel scholarships are sponsored by Wilbur Ellis, Croplan by Winfield United, De & Mike Johnson, In Memory of Walt Johnson, and Hoegemeyer Hybrids.
1st Place Team: McCook Central; Advisors Tracy Chase and Terry Rieckman, team members: Jon Schock, Mason Pulse, Samara Wolf and Landon Roling
- Tri-Valley
- Webster
Top Individual: Jon Schock, McCook Central
Dairy Cattle Evaluation
Awards sponsored by SD Division of the Midwest Dairy Association and the team travel scholarships are sponsored by Sharps, Inc. Bath, Mary Odland, and Ashgrove Dairy.
1st Place Team: Parker; Advisor Kelly Dunkelberger, team members: Paige Haase, Natalie Haase, Neil Haase and Vanessa Dunkelberger
- Milbank
- McCook Central
Top Individual: Cassidy Schwagel, Milbank
Floriculture
Awards and travel scholarships are sponsored by Dr. David Graper, Kari Rogers, and Gettysburg FFA.
1st Place Team: Wolsey-Wessington; Advisor Andrew Boersman, team members: Hailey Clarke, Giyahna Richmond, Faith Nelson and Mya Boomsma
- Clark
- Deubrook
Top Individual: Hailey Clarke, Wolsey-Wessington
Food Science and Technology
Awards sponsored by Valley Queen Cheese and the team travel scholarships are sponsored by Dan and Sheri Kahnke, Agropur Inc-Cheese and Whey Products, and Aurora Cooperative.
1st Place Team: Freeman; Advisor Malynda Penner, team members: Ava Andersen, Riley Knittel, Emily Knodel, Vaida Ammann
- McCook Central
- Menno
Top Individual: Madelyn Kludt, Menno
Horse Evaluation
Awards sponsored by K Bar J Leather Company, and team travel scholarships are sponsored by Rodney Yost Horsemanship and K Bar J Leather Company.
1st Place Team: Brookings; Advisor Joshua Johnson, team members: Jordyn Tibbs, Jaxon Bowes, Kennedi Gerjets and Heather Rudd
- Rapid City
- Lennox-Sundstrom
Top Individual: Elliot Hendrix, Rapid City
Livestock Evaluation
Awards sponsored by SD Pork Producers Council and the team travel scholarships are sponsored by Dakotaland Feeds, Inc. of Huron, Travis Hoffman and Kimball Livestock Exchange, LLC.
1st Place Team: Bridgewater-Emery; Advisor Alex Toupal, team members: Landon Berg, Quinton Berg, Cash Lehrman and Jason Zeeb
- Willow Lake
- Highmore
Top Individual: Payton Beare, Highmore
Meats Evaluation and Technology
Awards are sponsored by Smithfield Foods of Sioux Falls, and travel scholarships are sponsored by Tri-Valley FFA Alumni, Tyson Foods and Smithfield Foods.
1st Place Team: McCook Central; Advisors Terry Rieckman and Tracy Chase, coach Carrie Stiefvater, team members: Brock Nordlund, Ryan Blagg, Ella Stiefvater and Weston Remmers
- Sturgis
- Hitchcock-Tulare
Top Individual: Brock Nordlund, McCook Central
Milk Quality and Products
Awards sponsored by Agropur Inc-Cheese and Whey Products, and the team travel scholarships are sponsored in memory of Justin Maass and by Agropur Inc- Cheese and Whey Products.
1st Place Team: McCook Central; Advisors Terry Rieckman & Tracy Chase, team members: Vivian Koepsell, Joe Loudenburg, Will Rotert and Grace Stoffel
- Chamberlain
- Willow Lake
Top Individual: Jack Helkenn, Clark
Natural Resources Awards sponsored by SD Grasslands Coalition, and the team travel scholarships are sponsored by SD Grasslands Coalition, Jeff Vander Wilt and John Lentz.
1st Place Team: McCook Central, Advisors Terry Rieckman and Tracy Chase, team members: Braeden Kerkhove, Kyle Schoon, Brode Dennis and Owen Alley
- Brookings
- Kadoka
Top Individual: Gabe Boyer, Brookings
Nursery/Landscape
Awards and the chainsaw for the top individual sponsored by Midwest Stihl and the team travel scholarships are sponsored by Northern Plains Landscaping, SODAK Gardens, J Ellen Design & Market, and South Dakota Nursery and Landscape Association.
1st Place Team: West Central; Advisor Linda Petersen, team members: Andrew Rick, Bennett Sebert, Connor Siemonsma and Jack Linneman
- Parkston
- Montrose
Top Individual: Kaylee Bosma, Lennox Sundstrom
Poultry
Awards and team travel scholarships sponsored by the South Dakota Poultry Industries Association.
1st Place Team: Chester; Advisor Andy Jensen, team members: Makaylyn Borecky, Cadence Olivier, Brayden Schut and Lauren Roberts
- Parkston
- Deubrook
Top Individual: Makaylyn Borecky, Chester
Range Plant ID
Awards sponsored by SDSU Range Club
1st Place Team: Kadoka; Advisor Brandy Knutson, team members: Kash Block, Reece Ohrtman and Mason Stilwell
- Kadoka 2
- Philip
Top Individual: Reece Ohrtman, Kadoka
Veterinary Science
Awards sponsored by Susan A. Stoterau, DVM and Alice Harty, DVM. The travel scholarships are sponsored by Susan A. Stoterau, DVM; Alice Harty, DVM; and the SD Veterinary Medical Association.
1st Place Team: Brookings; Advisor Joshua Johnson, team members: Janine Warne, Ava Thvedt, Tara Feucht and Hailey Graham
- Clark
- Wessington Springs
Top Individual: Janine Warne, Brookings
Supplies needed to make all the events possible are sponsored by Bruce & Kim Paterson, Duane & Ann Wulf, Clark & Lyla Hanson, Eric & Roxanne Knock, Tri-Valley FFA Alumni, Tyson Foods, Dakota Layers, Salem Veterinary Service, North American Wholesale Florists, SD Florist Association, and the SD Nursery and Landscape Association.
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