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

APRIL 24, 2023:

One hundred forty-three students received finalist FFA AgriScience Distinction during the State FFA Convention held April 16-18, 2023, in Brookings.

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 – Austin Nash, Northwestern Area

3^rd – Isaac Chase, McCook Central

Division 2, sponsored by Eichacker Simmentals, Salem Veterinary Service (Mike Stiefvater in photo), Dakota Hills Veterinary Clinic and DeTye Vet Supply:

1^st – Kendall McAreavey and Jersey Lucas, Tri-Valley

2^nd – Natalie Lueth and Hadlie Johnson, Montrose

3^rd – Ella DeKnikker and Parker Randall, McCook Central

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

1^st – Atlee Olson, Belle Fourche

2^nd – Reece Gerlach, West Central

3^rd – Cody Opitz, West Central

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

1^st – Kaylee and Karlee Klinkhammer, McCook Central

2^nd – Eva Healy and Lyric Ripma, West Central

3^rd – Hunter Wagner and Kenasyn Johnson, West Central

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

1^st – Kelsey Vockrodt, West Central

2^nd – Ryan Blagg, McCook Central

3^rd – Shayne Luzmoor, West Central

Division 6, sponsored by Dakota Hills Veterinary Clinic, Fall River Veterinary Clinic, Buffalo Ranch Supply and First Dakota National Bank (representative Kevin Blagg in photo):

1^st – Jackson and Joseph Grady, McCook Central

2^nd – Carissa Scheel and Avery Orth, Wessington Springs

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 – Khloie Klinkhammer, McCook Central

2nd – Rhys Truman, Kimball

3^rd – Caleb Hoffman, McCook Central

Division 2, sponsored by Ducks Unlimited:

1^st – Taylor Thrift and Layla VanBlaricom, McCook Central

2^nd– Andrew Ammann and Weston German, Wilmot

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 (representative Jarod Weber in photo):

1^st – Lauren Roling, McCook Central

2^nd – Karlie Stiefvater, McCook Central

3^rd – Bobbi Eide, Gettysburg

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 (representative Jarod Weber in photo:

1^st – McKenzi Dow and Brea Janes, Tri-Valley

2^nd – Aidan Ferens and Brooklyn Baloun, Highmore

3^rd – Allison Brost and Mya Davidson, West Central

Division 5, sponsored by ProAg Engineering, Inc.:

1^st – Jodyn Bawek, Doland

2^nd – Tyanne Osterkamo, Northwestern Area

Division 6, sponsored by ProAg Engineering, Inc.:

1^st – Brock Malwitz and Dylan Stromer, West 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 and Titan International:

1^st – Noah Durfee, McCook Central

2^nd – Micah Pelzel, Wilmot

3^rd – Ella Weber, Buffalo Christian

Division 2, sponsored by the South Dakota Retailers Association and Titan International:

1^st – Rylin Fods and Jillian Burns, Tri-Valley

Division 3, sponsored by the South Dakota Retailers Association and the Doland FFA Alumni (representative in photo):

1^st – Emma Schneider, Doland

2^nd – Dannika Seaman, Doland

3^rd – Natalie Morgan, West Central

Division 4, sponsored by the South Dakota Retailers Association and the Doland FFA Alumni (representative in photo):

1^st – Ayla Kramer and Taylor Borgen West Central

2^nd – Cyrus Mara and Spencer Rieff, West Central

3^rd – Clara VanDerVliet and Adaya Meiners, Buffalo Christian

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

1^st – Courtney Decker, Northwestern Area

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

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

2^nd – Derek Schock and Thomas kenobbie, McCook Central

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

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, Doland FFA (representative in photo), and the SD Corn Utilization Council:

1^st – Luke Horstman, McCook Central

2^nd – Brodie Boomsma, Doland

3^rd – Hadley Flogstad, McCook Central

Division 2, sponsored by Next Level Ag, Doland FFA (representative in photo), and the SD Corn Utilization Council:

1^st – Sophia Havard and Jenna Schnee, McCook Central

2^nd – Ema Dissing and Brinley Hansen, Tri-Valley

3^rd – Nora Gordon and Mya Morrison, Montrose

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

1^st – Colton Stiefvater, McCook Central

2^nd – Reganne Miles, Doland

3^rd – Dawson Dor, Montrose

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

1^st – Gracie Pedersen and Zoe Dissing, Tri-Valley

2^nd – Noah Felderman and Deegan Moes, Doland

3^rd – Cooper Mulder and Bryce Ridings, West Central

Division 5, sponsored by Brian and Codi Mills, Carl and Kari Sanders (in photo) and the SD Soybean Research & Promotion Council:

1^st – Tanner Eide, Gettysburg

2^nd – Avery Miles, Doland

3^rd – Addison Bahrenfuss, West Central

Division 6, sponsored by Brian and Codi Mills, Carl and Kari Sanders (in photo) and the SD Soybean Research & Promotion Council:

1^st – Abby Wagner and Paul Kaffar, McCook Central

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

3^rd – Erika Beck and Emery Pearson, Tri-Valley

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 – Gabriel Ketterling, Leola

2^nd – Jack Remily, Doland

3^rd – Connor Heiberger, McCook Central

Division 2, sponsored by Meyerink Farm Service:

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

2^nd – Colt Johnson and Ari Loen, Tri-Valley

3^rd – William and Thomas Oyen, McCook Central

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

1^st – Carson Ewalt, Northwestern Area

2^nd – Jaxen Dockter, Wilmot

3^rd – Ethan Koopman, Tri-Valley

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

1^st – Abbie Chase and Ava Sieverding, McCook Central

2^nd – Ireland McAreavey and Corral Benson, Tri-Valley

3^rd – Callie Kaufmann and Avery Alley, McCook Central

Division 5, sponsored by Jason and Gail Gullickson, Dacotah Bank, C & B Equipment, and Rufus and Patty DeZeeuw:

1^st– Mason Tschetter, Doland

Division 6, sponsored by Jason and Gail Gullickson, Dacotah Bank, C & B Equipment, and Rufus and Patty DeZeeuw:

1^st – Tyler Groendwold and Brady Braaten, Tri-Valley

2^nd – Will Rotert and Jackson Remmers, McCook Central

3^rd – Chase Olson and Dalton Mulder, 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 Summit Carbon Solutions (representative Dana Siefkes Lewis in photo)::

1^st – Alyssa Roling, McCook Central

2^nd – Bree Smart, McCook Central

3^rd – Sophia Sandine, McCook Central

Division 2, sponsored by Summit Carbon Solutions (representative Dana Siefkes Lewis in photo):

1^st – Amanda Tuschen and Brooke Heumiller, McCook Central

2^nd – Lane Hanisch and Benjamin Wiebersick, Montrose

3^rd – Addison Heinje and Natalie Thaden, Wilmot

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

1^st – Madison Lauck, McCook Central

2^nd – Jada Cmeron, Wilmot

3^rd – Kasey Kalb, West Central

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

1^st – Espn Althoff and Bracken Sharpe, Tri-Valley

2^nd – Richard and Raymond Sandine, McCook Central

Division 5, sponsored by Farmers Mutual of Nebraska, Pioneer-Corteva (representative Jeff Behrens in photo) and BankWest:

1^st – Alison Zacharias, West Central

2^nd – Madison DeMent, West Central

3^rd – Haden Stoffel, McCook Central

Division 6, sponsored by Farmers Mutual of Nebraska (representative Chad Hank in photo), Pioneer-Corteva and BankWest:

1^st– Samuel Handberg and Jesse Kline, West Central

2^nd – Kacy and Elle Goehring, Parkston

3^rd – Sam Carlson and Alexis Weinacht. Tri-Valley

APRIL 5, 2023:

The South Dakota FFA Agriscience Fair will be held Wednesday (April 5, 2023) and will showcase FFA members from across SD and their research projects centering on the science and technology of agriculture. Hosted at West Central High School in Hartford, this years’ competition features 227 FFA members from across the state and a total of 154 projects.

The 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. Participation begins at the local level and progresses to state and national levels.

Student projects include a written report valued at 100 points and an in-person display and presentation to judges with a maximum point value of 120 points. Written and in-person scores are added together to calculate final placings. State finalists will be announced on April 5th at the conclusion of the in-person judging and earn a cash prize from sponsors as a special project of the South Dakota FFA Foundation. Winners in each division will be announced and awards presented at the State FFA Convention April 18, 2023, in Brookings, SD, and those projects will advance for national level competition.

FFA members complete their research in one of six categories:

• Animal Systems
• Environmental Natural Resource Systems
• Food Products and Processing Systems
• Plant Systems
• Power, Structural, and Technical Systems
• Social Systems

Within the categories, members compete in the following divisions:

• Division 1 -individual member in 7th or 8th grade
• Division 2 -teams of two members in 7th or 8th grade
• Division 3 -individual member in 9th or 10th grade
• Division 4 -teams of two members in 9th or 10th grade
• Division 5 -individual member in 11th or 12th grade
• Division 6 -teams of two members in 11th or 12th grade