South Dakota FFA agri-scientists recognized
BROOKINGS — The South Dakota FFA Agriscience Fair featured exhibits in six different categories (Animal Systems; Environmental and Natural Resource Systems; Food Products & Processing Systems; Plant Systems; Power, Structural & Technology Systems; Social Systems) and involves extensive research as well as writing a written report including information on previous studies related to the topic, their research and findings. The divisions are as follows: Division 1-2 (7-8th graders), Division 3-4 (9-10th graders) and Division 5 & 6 (11-12th graders). The Agriscience Fair was sponsored by Florence FFA, McCook Central FFA, Jason and Gail Gullickson and the South Dakota FFA Foundation
The top projects in each division will advance for a chance to compete at the National FFA Agriscience Fair at the National Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana this fall. The top exhibits are as follows:
Animal Systems
The study of animal systems, including life processes, health, nutrition, genetics, management and processing, through the study of small animals, aquaculture, livestock, dairy, horses, and/or poultry. The sponsors for this area are Eichacker Simmentals, Salem Veterinary Service and Jim Chilson.
Division 1:
1. Colton Stiefvater, McCook Central
2. Marah Schock, McCook Central
3. Joe Grady, McCook Central
Division 3:
1. Ali Zacharies, West Central
2. Avery Miles, Doland
3. Keeleigh Elwood, Chamberlain
Division 4:
1. Emma Kuhlman and Hailey Overby, West Central
2. Karlye Maras and Maddie Leasure, West Central
3. Keighlor Nolz and Maia Kennedy, West Central
Division 5:
1. Hadley Stiefvater, McCook Central
2. Hunter Eide, Gettysburg
3. Mitchell Vander Wal, Northwestern Area
Division 6:
1. Zachary Brown and Maria Schaefer, West Central
2. Kiarra Stuck and Hailie Stuck, Northwestern Area
3. Ethan Kueter and Isak Edwards, West Central
Environmental Service/Natural Resource Systems
The study of systems, instruments and technology used in waste management; the study of the management of soil, water, wildlife, forests and air as natural resources and their influence on the environment. The sponsors for this area are Ducks Unlimited and Black Hills Forest Resource Association.
Division 1:
1. Dylan McGregor, McCook Central
2. Mason Sabers, McCook Central
3. Jamie Sabers, McCook Central
Division 2:
1. Ryan Blagg and Will Rotert, McCook Central
2. Mary Whaler and Isabela Jimenez, McCook Central
Division 3:
1. Megan Nash, Northwestern Area
2. Shane Johnson, Doland
3. Jack Linneman, West Central
Division 4:
1. Megan Stiefvater and Mason Pulse, McCook Central
2. Andrew Rick and Bennett Sebert, West Central
Division 5:
1. Caycee Schneider, Doland
2. Jace Haven, Northwestern Area
Food Products and Processing Systems
The study of product development, quality assurance, food safety, production, sales and service, regulation and compliance and food service within the food science industry. The sponsor for this area is the South Dakota Retailers Association.
Division 1:
1. JD Adam, McCook Central
2. Emma Schneider, Doland
3. Katrina Hiles, Doland
Division 2:
1. Vivian Koepsell and Grace Stoffel, McCook Central
2. Abby Wagner and Jasmine Krempges, McCook Central
Division 3:
1. Grace Harden, West Central
Division 4:
1. Randa Haak and Taryn Guinn, Chamberlain
2. Chase Olson and Connor Siemonsma, West Central
3. McKenna Sichmeller and Josslin Jarding, West Central
Division 5:
1. Paige Peterson, McCook Central
2. Natasha Allerdings, Doland
3. Mackenzie Grauel, West Central
Plant Systems
The study of plant life cycles, classifications, functions, structures, reproduction, media and nutrients, as well as growth and cultural practices, through the study of crops, turf grass, trees and shrubs and/or ornamental plants. The sponsors for this area are Next Level Ag and Central Farmers Cooperative.
Division 1:
1. Lane Deutsch, McCook Central
2. Jodyn Bawek, Doland
3. Haley Gilbertson, McCook Central
Division 2:
1. Lauren Roling and Maddy Lauck, McCook Central
Division 3:
1. Emma Husman, West Central
2. Hannah Davis, West Central
3. Sammie Mallinger, West Central
Division 4:
1. Regan LaBrie and Greeley LaBrie, Doland
2. Ruby Hoiten and Natalie Grocott, Montrose
3. Chelsea Shumaker and Melissa Anderson, West Central
Division 5:
1. Samantha Pappas, Groton
2. Alisha McMartin, West Central
Division 6:
1. Mason Oyen and Abigail VanRuler, Montrose
2. Bre Bossman and Epiphany Hammer, West Central
3. Micah Mellema and Clayton Starnes, West Central
Power, Structural, and Technical Systems
The study of agricultural equipment, power systems, alternative fuel sources and precision technology, as well as woodworking, metalworking, welding and project planning for agricultural structures. The sponsors for this area are Butler Machinery and Meyerink Farm Service.
Division 1:
1. Mason Tschetter, Doland
Division 2:
1. Jackson Remmers and Kolt Koepsell, McCook Central
Division 3:
1. Ethan Boekelheide, Northwestern Area
2. Grace DiGiovanni, McCook Central
3. Nicholas Troske, Northwestern Area
Division 5:
1. Madison Stroud, McCook Central
2. Dirby Bawek, Doland
3. Jesse Holdahl, West Central
Division 6:
1. Luke Nicholas and Noah Pressler, West Central
Social Science
The study of human behavior and the interaction of individuals in and to society, including agricultural education, agribusiness economics, agricultural communications, agricultural leadership and other social science applications in agriculture, food, and natural resources. The sponsors for this area are Bayer and the South Dakota Biotech Association.
Division 1:
1. Abbie Chase, McCook Central
2. Jaxon Koch, McCook Central
3. Karlie Stiefvater, McCook Central
Division 2:
1. Layla Stroud and Kaizha Blase, McCook Central
2. Carter Randall and Haden Stoffel, McCook Central
Division 3:
1. Ella Stiefvater, McCook Central
2. Max Matson, Gettysburg
3. Sawyer Styles, Northwestern Area
Division 4:
1. Hailie Kueter and Katelyn Lueth, Montrose
2. Caleb Kinzley and Christina Jimenez, McCook Central
Division 5:
1. Kayle Lauck, McCook Central
2. Kiara Ebbinga, West Central
3. Emma Grocott, West Central
Division 6:
1. Danika Gordon and Matea Gordon, Sturgis
2. Beth Nagel and Sasha Cordell, Gettysburg
3. Abby Blagg and Sophia Kaffar, McCook Central