South Dakota FFA Members go all out

During the 87th annual National FFA Convention held in Louisville, KY, October 29-November 1, thousands of students from across the country competed in 23 different Career Development Events, six Agriscience Fair categories, and 49 Proficiency areas testing skills for more than 300 agricultural careers. Events focused around the theme “GO ALL OUT”. Results from South Dakota include:

American Star Finalists

Ethan VanderWal, Sioux Valley – American Star in Agribusiness

Matt Eichacker, McCook Central – American Star in Ag Placement

Each star finalist receives $2,000 from the National FFA Foundation.

National Proficiency Award Winner: Shane Mueller, Garretson: Ag Mechanics Repair and Maintenance Entrepreneurship

National Finalist Proficiency Awards

Melissa Nelson, McCook Central – Diversified Livestock

Lane Van Hull, Viborg-Hurley – Swine Production Entrepreneurship

Each national finalist receives $500 cash award and a plaque. National winners receive an additional $500 award and a plaque.

National Model of Innovation Finalist: McCook Central, Community Development

Agriscience Fair: Kadon Leddy, Milbank – Social Systems Division 1: 2nd place

Career Development Event Results

National Winner: Prepared Public Speaking – Kiera Leddy, Milbank

GOLD Emblem Team: Milk Quality and Products – Deuel, 9th place team: Nick Cook, Meaghan Sievers, Alissa Krause, Jennifer Mueller

SILVER Emblem Teams and Individuals:

• Agricultural Communications – West Central: Sara Waldner, Lauren Dolly, Dalton Larson

• Agricultural Issues – Lennox-Sundstrom: Autumn Haan, Samantha Hagedorn, Kolby Reinke, Jayden Peery, Jared Kroeger

Agricultural Mechanics – Milbank: Brock Tillma, Mikayla Brakke, Melissa Lenards, Zachary Wiese

• Agricultural Sales – Philip: Jade Berry, Avery Johnson, Reed Johnson, Ryan Van Tassel

• Environmental and Natural Resources – Lennox-Sundstrom: Molly Kroeger, Brady Klock, Brady Jandl, Alyssa Becker

• Extemporaneous Speaking – Shelby Riggs, Mitchell

Food Science & Technology – Mitchell: Jenna Skinner, Ally Goldammer, Shelly Iburg, Johnna Jorgensen

• Horse Evaluation – Brandon Valley: Natalie Oshiem, Allison Poncelet, Krista Mohror, Karlie Kirkpatrick

• Job Interview – Peyton Dejong, Philip

• Nursery/Landscape – Mitchell: Kylee Geppert, Andrew Getty, Kaley Nolz, Abby Repenning

BRONZE Emblem Teams and Individuals:

• Agronomy – Redfield: Chantel Wobbema, Kris Blume, Tana Muellenberg, Dalton Howe

• Creed – Mary Dybedahl, Tri-Valley

• Dairy Cattle – McCook Central: Anne Mayrose, Cole Schock, Sarah Schoon, Branden Stone

• Farm Business Management – Willow Lake: Mikayla Prouty, Ty Wicks, Landon Giles, Jake Schmidt

• Floriculture – Harrisburg: Danielle Eckert, Amanda Smeenk, Alexandria Flanders, Austin Harris

• Livestock – Sioux Valley: Logan Triebwasser, Mariah Vander Wal, Collin Vander Wal, Alexandra Degroot

• Marketing Plan – Lennox-Sundstrom: Katelynd Whitehead, Elizabeth Klock, Jordan Wittrock

• Meats Evaluation & Technology – Milbank: Jimmie Berkner, Paige Johnson, Kadon Leddy, William Mischel

• Parliamentary Procedure – Highmore: McKenzee Zilverberg, Sydney Cowan, Hayden Houdek, Tristan Ashdown, Kacie McCauley, Ben Peterson

• Veterinary Science – Milbank: Sharon Folk, Rebecca Leddy, Michaela Dewald, Breanna Schmitt