The 2024 National FFA Convention and Expo is this week (Oct. 22-26, 2024) in Indianapolis, IN. Champion South Dakota FFA members and teams from this past year’s State Convention and State Leadership Event are preparing to represent their chapters and our state. Many have already begun their competitive events with online elements that happened throughout September. The hands- on components will take place in person at convention.
Tune in to RFD-TV or FFA.org live stream to watch convention in real time. Hear from Gettysburg FFA Chapter members Trace Genzler and Bobbi Eide in this DRG Media Group Beyond the Mic Agriculture In-depth podcast.
The National FFA Agriscience Fair is for FFA members interested in the science and technology of agriculture. Students compete in one of six categories with junior high, 9-10th grade, and 11-12th grade divisions. Ten projects in each division are selected to advance and present their project for competition at the national level. South Dakota has twelve projects competing at the national level:
Animal Systems Category –
- Steele Anglin & William Winter, Tri-Valley, Division 2
- Colton Stiefvater & Karlie Stiefvater, McCook Central Division 6
Environmental Services/Natural Resource Systems Category –
- Harlee Nielson & Mikael Nielson, Hitchcock-Tulare, Division 6
Food Products and Processing Systems –
- Zoe Dissing & McKenzie Mack, Tri-Valley, Division 6
Plant Systems Category –
- Isaac Chase & Caleb Hoffman, McCook Central, Division 2
- Tanner Eide, Gettysburg, Division 5
Power, Structural and Technical Systems Category –
- Joseph Vanemmerik, McCook Central, Division 1
- Beau Hieronimus & Bentley McMillen, Tri-Valley, Division 2
- Gage Egger & Ty Oyen, Tri-Valley, Division 4
- Lexi Nichols & Sydney Neel, West Central, Division 6
Social Systems Category –
- Bobbi Eide, Gettysburg, Division 3
- Lauren Roling & Alyssa Roling, McCook Central, Division 6
State Champion Leadership and Career Development members and teams are polishing their skills to shine at nationals. Many began with online elements throughout September and will have hands-on components in-person at convention:
Agriculture Communications: Gregory County FFA; Ava Kerner, Aubree Miller, Ella Sperl, Avery Zeisler
Nursery Landscape: Gettysburg FFA; Tanner Eide, Bobbi Eide, Jerand Chase, Trace Genzler
Livestock Evaluation: Highmore FFA; Peyton Beare, Kenidey Effling, Jady LeDoux, April Fallis
Agricultural Issues Forum: Beresford FFA; Kayla Jensen, Ethan Hauck, Carley Crist, Lucas Anderson, Emma Andrews, Grace Norling, Kylie Mockler
Agricultural Sales: Tri-Valley FFA; Tyler Groenewold, Espn Althoff, Ryken Hieronimus, Brea Janes
Agricultural Technology and Mechanical Systems: Howard FFA; Zachary Connor, Thomas Connor, Mason Jacobson, Gabe Miller
Agronomy: Harrisburg FFA; Owen Murphy, Kendrick Droppers, Christopher Moore, Isabella Smithback
Conduct of Chapter Meetings: McCook Central FFA; Brooke Heumiller, Tucker Peterson, Gavin Kipp, Parker Randall, Luke Horstman, Julianne Grady, Ella DeKnikker
Creed Speaking: Freeman FFA; Noah McGee
Dairy Cattle Evaluation and Management: Bridgewater-Emery FFA; Quinton Berg, Landon Berg, Cash Martinez, Alaina Golder
Dairy Cattle Handler: Sutton Plucker, Lennox Sundstrom
Employment Skills: Parkston FFA; Grace Lindeman
Environmental and Natural Resources: Brookings FFA; Joseph Fitzpatrick, Andrew Dammen, Blake Herrig, Shane Harming
Extemporaneous Public Speaking: Mitchell FFA; Lainee Frost
Farm and Agribusiness Management: Brookings FFA; Gabriel Stern, Clayton Nelson, Levi Murray, Kennedy Nemitz
Floriculture: Wessington Springs FFA; Carissa Scheel, Mercedes Jones, Anna Arhart, Alyssa Grohs
Food Science and Technology: Milbank FFA; Raul Berrones Pedraza, Sunne DeBoer, Samuel Shelstad, Grace Weston
Horse Evaluation: Rapid City Stevens FFA; Elliot Hendrix, Kaiva Coleman, Ethan Hendrix, Patty Trask
Marketing Plan: McCook Central FFA; Joseph Grady, Addison Ecklein, Lauren Roling
Meats Evaluation and Technology: Elkton FFA; Brooklyn Boersma, Brienna Boersma, Maddisyn Thompson, Dailynn Schomp
Milk Quality and Products: Milbank FFA; Joseph French, Morgean French, Veronica Fonder, Jacob Erickson
Parliamentary Procedure: Willow Lake FFA; Ginny Warkenthien, Emma Peterson, Shay Michalski, Nora Terhark, Andrew Peterson, Sami Brenden
Poultry Evaluation: Redfield FFA; Elden Blume, Evan Jaton, Benson Beckler, Kevin Weller
Prepared Public Speaking: Beresford FFA; Elena Andrews
Veterinary Science: Brookings FFA; Josie Nold, Jordyn Tibbs, Cassie Fenske, Desirae Johnson
Four South Dakota FFA members were selected to perform in the National FFA Band & Chorus. They will practice and perform with about 80 other FFA members from across the nation during convention:
National Band – Emersen Lee, Lennox-Sundstrom FFA; Cody Wiik, Milbank FFA; and Alexis Meyer, Milbank FFA
National Chorus – Gabriel Mattson, Deuel FFA
National Proficiency Awards honor FFA members who, through supervised agricultural experiences (SAEs), have developed specialized skills that they can apply to future careers. Four finalists are selected in each proficiency area to interview at nationals. South Dakotas National Proficiency Finalists are:
Poultry Production – Elden Blume, Redfield
Service Learning – Abbie Chase, McCook Central
Wildlife Production and Management – Hailey Kizer, Howard
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