South Dakota FFA Association hosts legislative breakfast and training

BROOKINGS – South Dakota Legislators met with District and State FFA Officers at the 2013 South Dakota FFA Legislative Breakfast and District Officer Training hosted by the South Dakota FFA Association on Wednesday, Jan. 23 and Thursday, Jan. 24 at the AmericInn in Fort Pierre, S.D.

The purpose of the event was to promote the FFA’s mission of premier leadership, personal growth and career success by bringing together South Dakota’s governmental leaders with leaders of the South Dakota FFA.

The event was hosted by the 2012-2013 State FFA Officer Team, including: Taylor Leonhardt, Groton; Andrew Rausch, Hoven; Ashley Tonak, Willow Lake; Tyler Swan, Newell; Kelli Garry, Lake Preston; and Savanna Sperle, Reva. The SD FFA Ambassadors, Darin Stoecker, Hoven, and Liz Dahl, Beresford, also assisted with the program. The State FFA Officers conducted a breakfast program focusing on the three-part model of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources education which includes: classroom instruction, Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) projects and FFA. District FFA Officers and advisors took advantage of the opportunity to visit one-on-one with legislators, sharing how local agriculture education programs and FFA provide hands-on, career-relevant experience for students.

During the evening of Jan. 23 and following the Legislative Breakfast on Jan. 24, the State FFA Officer Team facilitated leadership training workshops for the District Officers. Training focused on a variety of areas, including: communication, personal development, team growth, service, career and technical education, and agricultural advocacy. District Officers also discovered what their role is in the upcoming State FFA Convention scheduled for April 14 – 16, 2013 in Brookings, S.D.