South Dakota FFA agri-scientists recognized during state convention

Students received finalist FFA AgriScience Distinction during last week’s State FFA Convention in Brookings (April 18-20, 2024). 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 below.

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 – Charlie Cody, Tri-Valley

2^nd – Alexis Schock, McCook Central

3^rd – Isaac Robert, McCook Central

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

Sponsor: Mike Stiefvater, Salem, Veterinary Services

1^st – Steele Anglin & William Winter, Tri-Valley

2^nd – Bree Smart & Sophie Sandine, McCook Central

3^rd – Chanel Mohrhauser & Alli Foremna, Tri-Valley

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

1^st – Alex Siemonsma, West Central

2^nd – Gabby Hanson, Sisseton

3^rd – Caedon Gates, West Central

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

1^st – Nate Struck & Noah Erickson, West Central

2^nd – Gracie Pedersen & Isabella Mack, Tri-Valley

3^rd – Austin Michaels & Hunter Wagner, West Central

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

Sponsor: Kevin Blagg, First Dakota National Bank

1^st – Kelsey Vockrodt, West Central

2^nd – Emma Schneider, Doland

3^rd – Brooklyn Beringer, Gettysburg

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

Sponsor: Kevin Blagg, First Dakota National Bank

1^st – Kolten Stiefvater & Karlie Stiefvater, McCook Central

2^nd – Joseph Grady & Julianne Grady, McCook Central

3^rd – Lucas Ebbinga & Jett Whiting, West Central

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 – Emerri Gottlob, McCook Central

2nd – Khloie Klinkhammer, McCook Central

3^rd – Thomas Oyen, McCook Central

Division 2, sponsored by Ducks Unlimited:

1^st – Brenna Bartlett & Claire Vogel, Montrose

2^nd– Joseph Kayser & Creighton Werning, Bridgewater Emery

3^rd – Taygen VanDerVliet & Colt Johnson, Buffalo Christian

Division 3, sponsored by Macksteel Farm and Ranch Equipment, Dry Creek Farm & Ranch and the Pennington County Conservation District and Farm Credit Services of America:

Sponsor: Brain Gottlob, Farm Credit Services of America

1^st – Noah Felderman, Doland

2^nd – Luke Horstman, McCook Central

3^rd – Olivia Knox, Doland

Division 4, sponsored by Macksteel Farm and Ranch Equipment, Dry Creek Farm & Ranch and the Pennington County Conservation District and Farm Credit Services of America:

Sponsor: Brain Gottlob, Farm Credit Services of America

1^st – Jace Wager & Sage Hermann, Gettysburg

2^nd – Theodore Peterson & Gunnar Alfson, West Central

3^rd – Corven Johnson & Logan Kenyon, Tri- Valley

Division 5, sponsored by ProAg Engineering, Inc.:

1^st – Jude Jarding, West Central

2^nd – Samantha Geffre, Leola

3^rd—Tyanne Osterkamp, Northwestern Area

Division 6, sponsored by ProAg Engineering, Inc.:

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

2^nd – Emery Pearson & Corie Wicks, Tri-Valley

3^rd – Carter Evans & Easton Eberhard, 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, Brian and Codi Mills, Doland FFA:

Sponsor: LeAnne Bawek, Doland FFA

1^st – Stells Oyen, McCook Central

2^nd – Tessa Burke, Bridgewater Emery

3^rd – Brodie Boomsma, Doland

Division 2, sponsored by the South Dakota Retailers Assocation, Brian and Codi Mills, Doland FFA:

1^st – Josalyn Traupel & Leah Feterl, McCook Central

2^nd – Iliana Krusinger & Olivia Havard, McCook Central

Division 3, sponsored by the South Dakota Retailers Association and the Doland FFA Alumni:

1^st – Kenasyn Johnson, West Central

2^nd – Addison Ecklein, McCook Central

3^rd – Kendall McAreavery, Tri-Valley

Division 4, sponsored by the South Dakota Retailers Association and the Doland FFA Alumni:

Sponsor: LeAnne Bawek, Doland FFA Alumni

1^st – Mattie Huwe & Ava Christensen, Tri-Valley

2^nd – Lauren Jones & Kamryn Schaaf, West Central

3^rd – Brooklyn Roberts & Stella Siemonsma, West Central

Division 5, sponsored by Jim Chilson, Grain Millers Inc., McCook Central FFA, Carl & Kari Sanders:

1^st – Courtney Decker, Northwestern Area

Division 6, sponsored by Jim Chilson, Grain Millers Inc., McCook Central FFA, Carl & Kari Sanders:

1^st – Zoe Dissing & McKenzie Mack, Tri-Valley

2^nd – Collin Shellum & Jakob Gnadt, Garretson

3^rd – Kaizha Blase & Isabela Jimenez, McCook 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, Dan & Sheri Kahnke, Bayer, SD Corn Utilization Council:

1^st – Jack Remily, Doland, (pictured Layne Andrews, Beresford)

2^nd – Adeline Miles, McCook Central

3^rd – Hudson Hansen, Doland

Division 2, sponsored by Next Level Ag, Dan & Sheri Kahnke, Bayer, SD Corn Utilization Council:

1^st – Isaac Chase & Cale Hoffman, McCook Central

2^nd – Connor Heiberger & Noah Durfee, McCook Central

3^rd – Josephine Weihe & Jayden Jasper. Montrose

Division 3, sponsored by Dan & Sheri Kahnke, Central Farmers Cooperative, The First National Bank of Sioux Falls:

1^st – Alexa Pulse, McCook Central

2^nd – Eva Healy, West Central

3^rd – Ty Boekelheide, Northwestern Area

Division 4, sponsored by Dan & Sheri Kahnke, Central Farmers Cooperative, The First National Bank of Sioux Falls:

1^st – Ayla Kramer & Taylor Borgen, West Central

2^nd – Danielle Wipf & Brunn Barney, Tri- Valley

3^rd – Emily Wenzel & Brody Thompson, Tri-Valley

Division 5, sponsored by the SD Soybean Research & Promotion Council:

1^st – Tanner Eide, Gettysburg

2^nd – Tyler Groenewold, Tri-Valley

3^rd – Emily Watson, Harrisburg

Division 6, sponsored by SD Soybean Research & Promotion Council:

1^st – Ireland McAreavey & Corral Benson, Tri-Valley

2^nd – Cooper Mulder & Bryce Ridings, West Central

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 – Joseph VanEmmerick, McCook Central

2^nd – Taylor Hawley, Bridgewater Emery

3^rd – Ayden Kuhl, McCook Central

Division 2, sponsored by Meyerink Farm Service:

1^st – Beau Hiernonimus & Bentley McMillen, Tri-Valley

2^nd – Jackson Pedersen & Ari Loen, Tri-Valley

3^rd – Hunter Thompson & Kyle Barenklau, Montrose

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

Sponsor: Courtney Ireland & Alethea Caraway, CTE Global, Inc.

1^st – Tucker Peterson, McCook Central

2^nd – Carson Ewalt, Northwestern Area

3^rd – Austin Nash, Northwestern Area

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

Sponsor: Courtney Ireland & Alethea Caraway, CTE Global, Inc.

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

2^nd – Gavin Crosby & Chase Jones, Tri-Valley

3^rd – Briggs LaBrie & Logan LaBrie, Doland (not pictured)

Division 5, sponsored by Dacotah Bank, Summit Contracting, RDO Equipment, Gullickson Family Livestock:

Sponsor: Haley Borszich, Dacotah Bank; Jason Peterson & Matt Milosevich, RDO Equipment

1^st– Reece Gerlach, West Central

2^nd – James Bame, Madison Central

Division 6, sponsored by Dacotah Bank, Summit Contracting, RDO Equipment, Gullickson Family Livestock:

Sponsor: Haley Borszich, Dacotah Bank; Jason Peterson & Matt Milosevich, RDO Equipment; Mike Berg & Nate Moe, Summit Contracting

1^st – Lexi Nichols & Sydney Neel, West Central

2^nd – Brea Janes & McKenzie Dow, Tri-Valley

3^rd – Sam Carlson & Alexis Weinacht, Tri-Valley

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 Chad Wosje (in photo):

1^st – Hadley Flogstad, McCook Central

2^nd – Hailey Heumiller, McCook Central

3^rd – Benjamin Bergeson, MCCook Central

Division 2, sponsored by Chad Wosje (in photo):

1^st – Jaxon Scheff & Mason Casilli, Montrose

2^nd – Andrew Sabers & Liam Rayman, McCook Central

Division 3, sponsored by Prairie Grain Partners, LLC., Sd Biotech Association:

1^st – Bobbi Eide, Gettysburg

2^nd – Atlee Olson, Belle Fourche

3^rd – Elle Goehring, Parkston

Division 4, sponsored by Prairie Grain Partners, LLC., Sd Biotech Association:

1^st – Nora Gordon & Paislee Lindstrom. Montrose

2^nd – Holly Berg & Ashtyn Nilson, West Central

3^rd – Karlee Klinkhammer & Avery Alley. McCook Central

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

1^st – Lane Duetsch, McCook Central

2^nd – Reganne Miles, Doland

3^rd – Renee Uberty, McCook Central

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

1^st– Lauren Roling & Alyssa Roling, McCook Central

2^nd – Abby Chase & Ava Sieverding, McCook Central

3^rd – Espn Althoff & Bracken Sharpe, Tri-Valley