Florence FFA performs well in Agriscience at State FFA Convention

Members of the Florence FFA performed well in the State FFA Agriscience Fair held in conjunction with the 85th annual State FFA Convention. Florence FFA members won nine first place plaques out of 18 junior and senior division categories for their efforts.

First place winners from Florence included Emily Kahnke and Whitney Schaack in the Senior Animal Science team category; Nathan Flemming and Javen Moe in the Junior Animal Science team category; Trent Sumner and Kobe Roe in the Junior Environmental Science team category; Jacob Heathcote in the Senior Food Science and Processing individual category; Craig and Patrick Reiter in the Senior Food Science and Processing team category; Hannah Hintz and Morgan Bunde in the Junior Food Science and Processing team category; Zach Grygiel in the Senior Power, Structural & Technical Systems category; Landon McGillivrey and Dylan Robbins in Junior Power, Structural & Technical Systems category; and Ben Hummel in the Senior Social Systems individual category. All nine projects have advanced to the national Agriscience Fair competition, which will be held in Louisville, Kentucky, next October at the National FFA Convention.

Halley Becking, Taylor Knudson, Brooke Thorson and Anthony Goldade all won gold medals with their agriscience projects. Mareike Boenig, Tanner Flemming and Anthony Goldade were recipients of silver medals with their agriscience projects.

Beau Wensing, a senior at Florence High School and the son of Dave and Jodi Wensing of Florence, was named runner-up for South Dakota FFA Star in Agriscience. Wensing received his recognition for his research project work in producing and testing biodiesel fuel made from soybean oil. He also received his state FFA degree. Joining Wensing in receiving their state FFA degrees were Justin Halse and Sam Sheffield.

Florence FFA members received top recognition in the proficiency award program. Matt Hummel won first in the Emerging Agricultural Technology proficiency award and his application now advances for national consideration. Hummel also placed second in the Agriscience Research Integrated Systems proficiency award.

Sam Sheffield received a silver medal in Milk Products Evaluation and Jolinda Hagen received a silver medal in Floriculture.

Also competing in various judging contests at the annual State FFA Convention for Florence included juniors Blair Byer, and Kirby Tschakert; sophomores Wayne Goldade, Chris Hagen, Sammie Popham, and Evlyn Taleb and freshmen Riley Gilbertson, Mayce Huffman, Katie Mastel, Derek Olson, and Ryan Stevens. James Chilson, chapter advisor, accompanied them.