NEWS RELEASE
South Dakota FFA Association
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Website: www.sdaged.org |
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Facebook: www.facebook.com/South.Dakota.FFA |
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Instagram: @sdffaassociation |
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For more information, contact: |
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Caroline Hansen |
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South Dakota Leadership and Program Manager |
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Caroline.hansen@sdaged.org |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 8, 2025
Photos of top 3 individuals and top team in each area are available to download at: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1WwTqMPt57HZxqhufRrvMZg8BvIGXMopI
Members Shine in FFA Career Development Events
BROOKINGS, S.D. – FFA members are preparing for agriculture careers, learning the role agriculture plays in feeding and clothing the world, and looking for opportunities to grow the industry. FFA’s Career Development Events are built around ag industry careers, expose members to many of the opportunities and needs in the agriculture sector, and enable them to develop and refine their abilities to critically evaluate, effectively communicate and ultimately, succeed in future careers.
One of the hallmarks of agricultural education and the FFA is the opportunity to showcase skills learned in classrooms and spotlighted through competitive events. It is a source of pride and students look forward to the state-level events each year to determine who will represent South Dakota at the national level in the fall. This year 2,300 South Dakota FFA members competed in 15 Career Development Events at the State FFA Convention. Congrats to our state Career Development Event winners:
Agricultural Business Management
Awards are sponsored by Rufus and Patty DeZeeuw and the team travel scholarship is sponsored by Rufus & Patty DeZeeuw, FarmHouse Fraternity-SDSU, Leisinger Farm, and Kyle & Jody Peterson. Kyle & Jody Peterson also sponsored an iPad for the 1st place individual.
1st place team: Ethan; Advisor Susan Roudabush. Team members: Coltyn Raymond, Madisyn Raymond, William Kreth.
2nd: Willow Lake
3rd: Elkton
Top Individuals:
- Brooklyn Boersma, Elkton
- Coltyn Raymond, Ethan
- Madisyn Raymond, Ethan
Agricultural Technology and Mechanical Systems
Awards and drills for each of the top 10 individuals sponsored by the CHS Foundation (pictured) and the team travel scholarship is sponsored by CHS Foundation, Grossenburg Implement, and the Ketelhut Family
1st place team: Brookings; Advisors Josh Johnson and Michelle Dykstra. Team members: Landin Tucker, Gabriel Stern, Tane Friedrich, Miles Gerlach
2nd: Sunshine Bible Academy
3rd: Harrisburg
Top Individuals:
- Jackson Schlimmer, Sioux Valley
- Cody Wiik, Milbank
- Landin Tucker, Brookings
Agronomy
Awards are sponsored by Kurt (pictured) & Kathy Stiefvater and the team travel scholarship is sponsored by SD Agribusiness Association; the Croplan by WinField United; De & Mike Johnson in Memory of Walt Johnson; Hoegemeyer Hybrids; Simplot; Steven Zemlicka in Honor of Stan and Carol Gage
1st place team: McCook Central; Advisor Terry Rieckman. Team members: Kaylee Klinkhammer, Avery Alley, Karlie Stiefvater, Karlee Klinkhammer
2nd: Wessington Springs
3rd: Hot Springs
Top Individuals:
- Robert Hine, Wessington Springs
- Kaylee Klinkhammer, McCook Central
- Briella Wettlaufer, Howard
Dairy Cattle Evaluation
Awards sponsored by SD Division of the Midwest Dairy Association and the team travel scholarship is sponsored by the Richard Lauck Family, Ash Grove Dairy, Sharp’s Inc. and Victory Farms.
1st Place Team: Beresford; Advisor Bridget Twedt. Team members: Elena Andrews, Grace Norling, Allie Westra, Capri Mullinix
2nd: Sioux Valley
3rd: McCook Central
Top Individuals:
- Elena Andrews, Beresford
- Brityn Davies, Lake Preston
- Ava Couser, Brookings
Floriculture
Award are sponsored by Dr. David Graper, Wendy Mortenson Agency, and Gettysburg FFA and the team travel scholarship is sponsored by Dr. David Graper, Dan & Sheri Kahnke. Supplies for the event were sponsored by North American Wholesale Florists and the SD Florist Association.
1st Place Team: Brookings; Advisors Josh Johnson and Michelle Dykstra. Team members: Kenzie Steinhauer, Mikalyn Kelly, Madeline Enderson, Katie Marshall
2nd: Freeman
3rd: Parkston
Top Individuals:
- Brylee Wallman, Miller
- Ema Dissing, Tri-Valley
- Whisper Apple, Garretson
Food Science and Technology
Awards sponsored by Valley Queen Cheese and the team travel scholarships are sponsored by Dan and Sheri Kahnke, Prairie Farms Cheese Division; Aurora Cooperative, Hunter Eide, Agropur Inc-Cheese and Whey Products.
1st Place Team: Harrisburg; Advisors Tara Fastert, Josh Christiansen, and Molly Roemen. Team members: Katelyn Wingert, Hannah Fryee, Leia Rombough, Isabelle Carlson
2nd: Belle Fourche
3rd: Freeman
Top Individuals:
- Hunter Reede, Millbank
- Katelyn Wingert, Harrisburg
- Jazlyn Olson, Belle Fourche
Horse Evaluation
Awards are sponsored by K Bar J Leather of Newell. The travel scholarship is sponsored by K Bar J Leather, Rodney Yost Horsemanship, and Wendy Mortenson Agency.
1st Place Team: Brookings; Advisors Josh Johnson and Michelle Dykstra. Team members: Josie Nold, Aubrey Underwood, Ava Benson, Madelyn Myers
2nd: Parkston
3rd: Bon Homme
Top Individuals:
- Josie Nold, Brookings
- Bailey Schwagel, Milbank
- Kenley Henke, Parkston
Meats Evaluation:
Awards are sponsored by Smithfield Foods and the travel scholarship is sponsored by Smithfield Foods, Tri Valley Alumni (Heidi Zwinger pictured) and The Meathouse.
1st Place Team: Brookings; Advisors Josh Johnson and Michelle Dykstra. Team members: Connor May, Kade Nelson, Ella Feucht, Carter Stadler
2nd: Tri-Valley
3rd: Hitchcock Tulare
Top Individuals:
- Connor May, Brookings
- Kade Nelson, Brookings
- Kendall Mcarbavey, Tri-Valley
Livestock Evaluation:
Awards are sponsored by SD Pork Producers Council. The travel scholarship is sponsored by Dakotaland Feeds, Drs. Travis and Meagan Hoffman, Kimball Livestock Exchange LLC and Beef Logic.
1st Place Team: Winner; Advisor Tracy Childress. Team members: Roper Moore, Evan Littau, Austin Vanderwerff, Rustin Schroeder
2nd: Beresford
3rd: Tri-Valley
Top Individuals (Abbey Riemenschneider, SDPPC pictured):
- Chance Blume, Chamberlain
- Creighten Werning, Bridgewater-Emery
- Aidan Grupe, Watertown Area
Milk Quality & Products:
Awards are sponsored by Agropur Inc - Cheese and Whey Products. The travel scholarship is sponsored by Bel Brands USA, The Justin Maass Family, Agropur Inc, and Heidi (pictured) and Mark Zwinger.
First Place Team: McCook Central; Advisor Terry Rieckman. Team members: Madison Lauck, Joseph Grady, Julianne Grady, Lauren Roling
2nd: Willow Lake
3rd: Langford FFA
Top Individuals:
- Madison Lauck, McCook Central
- Lizzie Gustafson, Langford
- Joseph Grady, McCook Central
Natural Resources
Awards are sponsored by the SD Grassland Coalition. The travel scholarship is sponsored by Jeff VanderWilt, John Lentz and the SD Grassland Coalition.
1st Place Team: Tri-Valley; Advisor Tanner Peterson. Team members: Chase Jones, Carson Sanders, Bracken Sharpe, Gavin Crosby
2nd: Harrisburg
3rd: Brookings
Top Individuals:
- Paul Werner, Brookings
- Chase Jones, Tri-Valley
- Carter Oyener, Harrisburg
Nursery Landscape:
Awards are sponsored by Midwest STIHL. The travel scholarship is sponsored by SODAK Gardens, Northern Plains Landscaping, and the Wendy Mortenson Agency.
1st Place Team: McCook Central; Advisor Terry Rieckman. Team members: Gavin Kipp, Brooke Heumiller, Ella Deknikker, Addison Ecklein
2nd: Parkston
3rd: Montrose
Top Individuals:
- Gavin Kipp, McCook Central
- Brooke Heumiller, McCook Central
- Ella Deknikker, McCook Central
Poultry:
Awards are sponsored by South Dakota Poultry Industries Association. The travel scholarship is sponsored by South Dakota Poultry Industries Association, Salem Veterinary Service and Dakota Layers LLP.
1st Place Team: Sunshine Bible Academy; Advisor Jason Burma. Team members: James Burma, Katie Kruse, Natasha Appel, Daraby Boersma
2nd: Hot Springs
3rd: Parker
Top Individuals:
- Lyzzie Rapp, Hot Springs
- Saige Lessman, Parker
- James Burma, Sunshine Bible Academy
Vet Science:
Awards are sponsored by Susan A. Stoterau DVM and Alice Harty DVM. The travel scholarship is sponsored by SD Veterinary Medical Association, Salem Veterinary Service, Susan A. Stoterau DVM and Alice Harty DVM.
1st Place Team: Mitchell; Advisor Karen Roudabush. Team members: Hope Baysinger, Delaney Zoss, Emree Fergen, Ashlyn Roudabush
2nd: Miller
3rd: Howard
Top Individuals:
- Hope Baysinger, Mitchell
- Emma Fritzsche, Miller
- Delaney Zoss, Mitchell
Range Plant ID:
Sponsored by the SDSU Range Science Club
1st Place Team: Sturgis; Advisor Stran Holben. Team Members: Jackson Cammack, Ellie Storm, Aydan Rhodes, Garrett Rohloff
2nd: Lemmon
3rd: Kadoka
Top Individuals:
- Jackson Cammack, Sturgis
- Ellie Storm, Stugis
- Jessica Wahlert, Hot Springs
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