Nov. 4, 2025:
More than 72,000 FFA members, advisors, and guests from across the nation flooded the city of Indianapolis for the National FFA Convention, held Oct. 29–Nov. 1, 2025. Throughout the week, members participated in leadership workshops, competed in national events, and heard inspiring messages from keynote speakers.
South Dakota FFA members and agricultural educators proudly represented the state with class, integrity, and a deep passion for agriculture. Their dedication and months of hard work were recognized as the convention concluded, celebrating the achievements and commitment of FFA members from across the country.
The major highlights include:
- Elena Andrews from Beresford named National Proficiency WINNER in the Swine Production Placement Division
- Keaton Zubke from Florence places FIRST in the Agriscience Fair: Animal Systems Division 3
- Stella Oyen & Joseph Vanemmerik from McCook Central Place FIRST in the Agriscience Fair: Environmental Services & Natural Resources Division 2
- Carson Sanders from Tri-Valley places 8th overall individual in the Environmental & Natural Resources Career Development Event.
- Harrisburg FFA places 5th overall and receives a GOLD award in the Food Science & Technology Career Development Event!
- Ethan FFA places 10th overall and receives a GOLD award in the Farm & Agribusiness Management Career Development Event.
National FFA Agriscience Fair Results:
Animal Systems Division 2: Addisyn Schock & Alexis Schock, McCook Central; 7th Place
Animal Systems Division 3: Keaton Zubke, Florence; 1st Place
Animal Systems Division 6: Antone Krempges & Jason Wimmer, McCook Central; 10th Place
Environmental Services & Natural Resources Division 1: Adeline Miles, McCook Central; 10th Place
Environmental Services & Natural Resources Division 2: Stella Oyen & Joseph Vanemmerik, McCook Central; 1st Place
Food Products & Processing Division 2: Chanel Mohrhauser & Alli Foreman, Tri-Valley; 7th Place
Food Products & Processing Division 6: Karlee Klinkhammer & Kaylee Klinkhammer, McCook Central; 8th Place
Power, Structural, & Technical Systems Division 1: Nicholas Richards, McCook Central; 6th Place
Power, Structural, & Technical Systems Division 2: Creighten Werning & Logan Glanzer, Bridgewater-Emery; 5th Place
Power, Structural, & Technical Systems Division 4: Tucker Peterson & Luke Horstman, McCook Central; 7th Place
Career and Leadership Development Event Results:
Gold Placings:
- Tri-Valley FFA; Environment & Natural Resources
- Ethan FFA; Farm & Agribusiness Management
- Harrisburg FFA; Food Science & Technology
- Brookings FFA; Horse Evaluation
Silver Placings:
- Beresford FFA; Agricultural Communications
- Howard FFA; Agricultural Issues
- McCook Central FFA; Agricultural Sales
- Brookings FFA; Agricultural Technology & Mechanical Systems
- McCook Central FFA; Agronomy
- McCook Central FFA; Conduct of Chapter Meetings
- Chloe Sime, Faulkton FFA; Creed Speaking
- Elena Andrews, Beresford FFA; Extemporaneous Public Speaking
- Brookings FFA; Floriculture
- Winner FFA; Livestock Evaluation
- Lemmon FFA; Marketing Plan
- Brookings FFA; Meats Evaluation & Technology
- McCook Central FFA; Milk Quality & Products
- McCook Central FFA; Nursery/Landscape
- Willow Lake FFA; Parliamentary Procedure
- Mitchell FFA; Veterinary Science
Bronze Placings:
- Sioux Valley FFA; Dairy Cattle Evaluation & Management
- Atlee Olson, Belle Fourche FFA; Employment Skills
- Sunshine Bible Academy; Poultry Evaluation
- Bennett Gordon, Sturgis FFA; Prepared Public Speaking
Other Award Winners and Participants:
National Officer Candidate:
Dustin Kolb, Belle Fourche
Honorary American Degree Recipients:
Jeff VanderWal, Howard, SD
Beth VanderWal, Howard, SD
Travis Schuring, Sioux Falls, SD
Gretchen Sharp, Bath, SD
Josh Christiansen, Harrisburg, SD
American Degree Recipients:
Miller: Maya Howard
Bridgewater-Emery: Carson Weber, Aaron Wollmann
Canton: Andrea Miller, Jordan Van De Stroet
De Smet: Connor Johnson
Dells: Audrey Cox, Luke Geraets
Deubrook Area: Ellie Olsen
Doland: Avery Miles
Ethan: Michael Freeman
Harrisburg: Keaton Johnson, Halle Swenson
Howard: John Callies, Hailey Kizer
Lemmon: Dara Bauer, Shannon Gebhart
McCook Central: Owen Alley, Elliott Chase, Vivian Koepsell, Derek Schock, Mara Schock, Haden Stoffel
Milbank: Raul Berrones Pedraza
Parker: Cash Voegele
Rapid City Stevens: Elliot Hendrix, Ethan Hendrix, Amara Roland
Tri-Valley: Erika Beck, Brady Braaten, Tyler Groenwold, Nolan Schmidt, Derek Vanasselt
Wessington Springs: Carter Gaikowski, Abigail Kolousek, Carissa Scheel
West Central: Jazelle Jarding, Jude Jarding, Sydney L Neel, Lexi Nichols, Jocelyn K Nilson, Andrew Rick, Kelsey R Vockrodt
National Convention Chorus:
Gabriel Mattson, Deuel
National Convention Band:
Branson Brink, Belle Fourche
Cody Wiik, Milbank
Kayla Schweer, Milbank
National Star Chapter Award: The three star distinction is the highest awarded to chapters.
3 Star Chapter: Arlington, Beresford, Bridgewater-Emery, Brookings
2 Star Chapter: Gregory County, Harrisburg, Howard, McCook Central
Oct. 31, 2025:
A total of 43 South Dakota FFA members from 18 different chapters have qualified to receive their American FFA Degree.
The American degree is the highest degree an FFA member can receive in the National FFA Organization. Only FFA members who have demonstrated the highest level of commitment and made significant accomplishments in their supervised agricultural experiences are eligible for the American FFA Degree. Members must have earned and productively invested at least $7,500, or have earned and productively invested at least $1,500 and worked 2,250 hours beyond scheduled school hours through their SAEs.
Recipients will be recognized Saturday (Nov. 1, 2025) during the 98th National FFA Convention session that begins at 6:30am CT. Those receiving their American FFA Degree are:
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Miller: Maya Howard
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Bridgewater-Emery: Carson Weber, Aaron Wollmann
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Canton: Andrea Miller, Jordan Van De Stroet
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De Smet: Connor Johnson
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Dells: Audrey Cox, Luke Geraets
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Deubrook Area: Ellie Olsen
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Doland: Avery Miles
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Ethan: Michael Freeman
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Harrisburg: Keaton Johnson, Halle Swenson
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Howard: John Callies, Hailey Kizer
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Lemmon: Dara Bauer, Shannon Gebhart
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McCook Central: Owen Alley, Elliott Chase, Vivian Koepsell, Derek Schock, Mara Schock, Haden Stoffel
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Milbank: Raul Berrones Pedraza
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Parker: Cash Voegele
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Rapid City Stevens: Elliot Hendrix, Ethan Hendrix, Amara Roland
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Tri-Valley: Erika Beck, Brady Braaten, Tyler Groenwold, Nolan Schmidt, Derek Vanasselt
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Wessington Springs: Carter Gaikowski, Abigail Kolousek, Carissa Scheel
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West Central: Jazelle Jarding, Jude Jarding, Sydney L Neel, Lexi Nichols, Jocelyn K Nilson, Andrew Rick, Kelsey R Vockrodt
Sept. 9, 2025:
The National FFA Agriscience Fair is for FFA members interested in the science and technology of agriculture. Students compete in one of six categories: animal systems; environmental services/natural resources systems; food products and processing systems; plant systems; power, structural and technical systems; or social systems. There are Jr. High, 9-10th grade, and 11-12th grade divisions.
State FFA Agriscience Fair winners submit their written research papers to the national level and ten projects in each division are selected to advance and present their project for competition at the national level. Finalists will give a presentation on their project over zoom to judges and be recognized on stage when the winners are announced during the National FFA Convention. National FFA just released the finalists to advance as national finalists and SD has ten individual and team projects, consisting of seventeen FFA members that will be competing at the national level:
Animal Systems –
- Division 2: Addisyn Schock & Alexis Schock, McCook Central
- Division 3: Keaton Zubke, Florence
- Division 6: Antone Krempges & Jason Wimmer, McCook Central
Environmental Services/Natural Resource Systems –
- Division 1: Adeline Miles, McCook Central
- Division 2: Stella Oyen & Joseph Vanemmerik, McCook Central
Food Products and Processing Systems –
- Division 2: Chanel Mohrhauser & Alli Foreman, Tri-Valley
- Division 6: Karlee Klinkhammer & Kaylee Klinkhammer, McCook Central
Power, Structural and Technical Systems –
- Division 1: Nicholas Richards, McCook Central
- Division 2: Creighten Werning & Logan Glanzer, Bridgewater-Emery
- Division 4: Tucker Peterson & Luke Horstman, Tri-Valley
Through the SD FFA Foundation, finalists receive a travel stipend to assist with expenses, sponsored by Dakota Hills Veterinary Clinic, Fall River Veterinary Clinic, First Dakota National Bank, De-Tye Vet Supply, Eichacker Simmentals, Salem Veterinary Service, Ducks Unlimited, Koupal Lazy EY Angus Ranch, ProAg Engineering, Inc, Pennington County Conservation District, Farm Credit Services of American, Wilbur-Ellis, Meyerink Farm Service, C & B Equipment, Dacotah Bank, Summit Contracting, RDO Equipment, Gullickson Family Livestock, Butler Machinery Company, CTE Global.
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