2023-24 FFA Calendar

Posted on August 17, 2023 by WCFFA

Refer to this list of dates for the coming year:

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West Central FFA Competes in State Level Events

Posted on January 23, 2023 by WCFFA

On December 5, 2022, nearly 600 FFA members from across South Dakota met in Pierre for the State FFA Leadership Development Events (LDEs).  Students qualified through district competitions, advancing the top two teams and top three individuals from each of the seven FFA districts in South Dakota.  While waiting for competitive events, students had the opportunity to interact with agriculture industry leaders, who are SD FFA Star Partners, at the Career Carnival. Additionally, a representative from Pioneer-Corteva presented two workshops, which engaged members in discussion on future educational and career opportunities as well as identifying needed leadership qualities in the workforce. FFA members and chapters were recognized for their success in 11 leadership areas at the awards banquet. The banquet was sponsored by SD Midwest Dairy Association, BioZyme, and SD FFA Star Partners: CHS Foundation, Agtegra, Bayer, BankWest, Butler Machinery Company, Corteva/Pioneer, The First National Bank of Sioux Falls, Farmers Mutual of Nebraska, Farm Credit Services of America, Northland Ford, Titan International, SD Corn Utilization Council, Dacotah Bank, and ADM Grain of Harrold, Miller, Tulare. State-winning teams advance to the National FFA Leadership Development Events in Indianapolis this November. 

In Marketing Plan, teams of students determine a local community need and create a complete strategy for marketing a new agricultural product or company to fill that need. The sponsor is Legend Seeds, Inc., and the state winning team travel scholarship is sponsored by Hurley and Associates and YieldPro Ag. The team from West Central placed first.

First place team – West Central (pictured left to right): Sponsor Legend Seeds, Inc. representative Pete Nielsen, Advisor Linda Petersen, AJ Ingalls, Madison DeMent, and Mya Davidson.

In Ag Issues, a team of 3-7 students discuss the pros and cons of a major agricultural issue facing their area. This event is sponsored by South Dakota Farmers Union. The state winning team travel scholarship is sponsored by South Dakota Farmers Union and Central States Fair/Black Hills Stock Show. West Central’s team of Ali Zacharias, Connor Siemonsma, Jocelyn Nilson, Sam Handberg, Jazelle Jarding, Jesse Kline, and Addi Bahrenfuss placed 2nd in the state contest. 

Pictured left to right: Advisor Linda Petersen, Addi Bahrenfuss, Jazelle Jarding, Jesse Kline, Ali Zacharias, Connor Siemonsma, Jocelyn Nilson, Sam Handberg.

In Ag Communications, teams will play the role of communications consultants and will develop a media plan for an assigned scenario. The scenario will identify a client with communications need and a budget. This event is sponsored by the SD Broadcasters Association and Farm Progress/ Dakota Farmer. The travel scholarship is sponsored by Farm Progress/Dakota Farmer and Dakota Farm Talk. The team from West Central won the Ag Communications event. This is the tenth time West Central has won the Ag Communications  event. 

Pictured left to right: Advisor Linda Petersen, Shayne Luzmoor, Allison Brost, Sydney Neel, and Lexi Nichols.

The South Dakota FFA consists of over 109 FFA chapters with over 5,500 FFA members.  The SD FFA Leadership Development Events are a special project of the SD FFA Foundation.  FFA makes a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth, and career success through agricultural education.  Visit http://www.sdffafoundation.org/ for more information, and/or follow us on Facebook (South Dakota FFA Foundation and South Dakota FFA Association).

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Members Advance to State LDEs

Posted on November 30, 2022 by WCFFA

West Central FFA members competed in the District 7 Leadership Development Events (LDE) on Tuesday, November 22, 2022 at West Central High School. District 7 is composed of 13 area FFA Chapters and their members. All 1st and 2nd place teams advance to the State LDEs to be held December 4-5 in Pierre.

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Members Prepare for District Leadership Development Events

Posted on November 13, 2022 by WCFFA


West Central FFA members are busy preparing for their District Leadership Development Events (LDE) which will be held November 22, 2022 at West Central.  The District is composed of the FFA Chapters from Baltic, Brandon Valley, Buffalo Christian Homeschool Academy, Chester, Colman Egan, Dell Rapids, Flandreau, Garretson, Harrisburg, Montrose, Sioux Falls CTE Academy, Tri Valley, and West Central.

FFA Members will compete in 11 different LDEs. There are individual and team events.  The top three individuals and top two teams in the District will advance to the State LDEs to be held in December in Pierre.

West Central FFA members preparing to compete are as follows:

Ag Sales – Ali Zacharias, Connor Siemonsma, Sam Handberg, and Jude Jarding

Creed Speaking – Eva Healy and Lyric Riepma

Market Plan – Mya Davidson, Madison DeMent, and AJ Ingalls

Ag Communications – Allison Brost, Shayne Luzmoor, Lexi Nichols, and Sydney Neel

Agricultural Issues – Addi Bahrenfuss, Jazelle Jarding, Kasey Kalb, Jesse Kline, Jocelyn Nilson, Connor Siemonsma, and Ali Zacharias.

Employment Skills – Shayne Luzmoor and Ali Zacharias

District Officer Interviews – Allison Brost, Lexi Nichols, Sydney Neel, and Sam Handberg

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20 Members Attend the 95th National FFA Convention and Expo

Posted on November 13, 2022 by WCFFA

The 95th National FFA Convention and Expo was held October 25-29, 2022 in Indianapolis, IN with more than 69,000 in attendance the annual event.  Members traveled by charter bus with FFA members and advisors from Doland and Northwestern Area. West Central took two teams and two AgriScience Fair National Finalists plus several additional FFA members for a total of 20 FFA members attending from WC. We toured the National FFA Center on our first full day in Indianapolis.

Our Ag Issues team of Jude Harding, Grace Harden, Maia Kennedy, Keighlor Nolz, McKenna Sichmeller, Wilson Droge, and Josslin Harding earned a bronze medal in the national competition.

Our Nursery Landscape team of Jack Linneman, Andrew Rick, Bennett Sebert, and Connor Siemonsma earned a silver medal in the team competition, Andrew earned a silver individual medal and Jack, Bennett, and Connor each earned bronze individual medals. 

Andrew Rick and Bennett Sebert were National AgriScience Fair finalists in Environmental Natural Resource Systems, Division 6, they placed 10th in the nation.  McKenna Sichmeller and Josslin Jarding were National AgriScience Fair finalists in Social Systems, Division 6, they placed 7th in the nation, earning silver medals.

The best part of attending the National FFA Convention and Expo is the wide variety of opportunities and experiences for members to engage and learn about our nation’s most vital industry – agriculture.  Members attended workshops, listened to keynote speakers, visited vendors in the Career Expo, met with representatives from colleges and universities, as well as companies working in the agriculture industry.

We attended general convention sessions in Lucas Oil Stadium, home of the Indianapolis Colts!

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West Central Advances Two Teams to National Competition

Posted on September 6, 2022 by WCFFA

State winning teams in the FFA Career and Leadership Development Events (CDE/LDE) earn a berth in the national competition. Through Career and Leadership Development Events, participating FFA members in grades 9 to 12 are challenged to develop critical thinking skills and effective decision-making skills, foster teamwork and promote communication while recognizing the value of ethical competition and individual achievement. CDE and LDE events occur at the local, state and national levels.

Participants in the Agricultural Issues Forum Leadership Development Event (LDE) research the pros and cons of an agricultural issue and present their findings to a panel of judges.

This team LDE challenges students to investigate a variety of current local, state, national and international issues facing agriculture through classroom instruction. Students then demonstrate through portfolio, presentation and questioning an understanding of the principles and fundamentals of agricultural issue analysis.

Communication, leadership and teamwork skills are critical to event success. This event connects agriculture students with professionals in the industry as they research, present and then understand complicated issues facing the agricultural landscape – making it especially attractive to students with an interest in agricultural policy, law and international relations.

Left to right: Linda Petersen, McKenna Sichmeller, Grace Harden, Wilson Droge, Josslin Jarding, Jude Jarding, Maia Kennedy, and Keighlor Nolz

West Central’s Agricultural Issues Team took on the topic of Honey Fraud and consists of  Josslin Jarding, McKenna Sichmeller, Wilson Droge, Grace Harden, Jude Jarding, Keighlor Nolz, and Maia Kennedy. The team won their state level event in December. The national event will be held face-to-face during the 95th National FFA Convention and Expo held in Indianapolis in late October.

The National FFA Nursery/Landscape Career Development Event (CDE) is a competitive event in which FFA members test their knowledge and skills in nursery practices and landscaping. Participants must complete a general knowledge exam testing horticultural principles including plant anatomy, production, marketing, turf, landscape design and maintenance. Each participant must also complete practicums involving a landscape estimating, plant propagation or potting, identification of plants, disorders and equipment. Each team competed on local and state levels to earn the privilege of representing their state at the National FFA Convention & Expo.

Left to right: Linda Petersen, Andrew Rick Jack Linneman, Bennett Sebert, Connor Siemonsma

West Central FFA members Andrew Rick, Jack Linneman, Bennett Sebert, and Connor Siemonsma won the state level contest in April. This event will be in a Hybrid format with written exams, written customer assistance, and identification practicum events taking place in early-October. All teams will advance to face-to-face competition during the National FFA Convention in October in Indianapolis, IN.

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National FFA AgriScience Fair Finalists

Posted on September 6, 2022 by WCFFA

Two West Central FFA AgriScience Fair Projects have been named as National Finalists.  This places their research among the top ten projects in the nation in their category and division. National Finalists will present their research and answer questions from a panel of judges via Zoom in mid-September. All finalists will be recognized during the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, IN in October and will be awarded cash prizes.

Josslin Jarding and McKenna Sichmeller worked to determine public interest and knowledge about fraud in the Honey Industry. Jarding and Sichmeller were named national winners in Food Products and Processing Systems, Division 6 in 2021.

Andrew Rick  and Bennett Sebert worked to solve the problems created by nest predators by conducting their research on the best habitat for removal of nest predators. Rick and Sebert were national finalists in 2021 and placed 6th in the nation. Read more about their research on stocking methods of pheasants here.

The  FFA Agriscience Fair recognizes students who gain real-world, hands-on experiences in agricultural enterprises. Students use scientific principles and emerging technologies to solve complex problems related to agriculture, food, and natural resources. The agriscience fair is for middle and high school students. Participation begins at the local level and progresses to state and national levels. 23 of the projects conducted by West Central FFA Members were named state-level finalists, placing in the top three projects in their category and division. Official results of the State level competition were announced during the State FFA Convention in April held in Brookings on the campus of SDSU. All First place projects advanced to the national level competition. 

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2022-23 FFA Calendar

Posted on August 17, 2022 by WCFFA

These dates will be updated as new events are scheduled or changes to the calendar occur.

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Members Represent South Dakota at 94th National FFA Convention

Posted on November 30, 2021 by WCFFA

The 94th National FFA Convention and Expo was held October 27-30, 2021 in Indianapolis, IN.  9 members of the West Central FFA Chapter attended the event competing in the Agricultural Communications and Environmental Natural Resources Leadership and Career Development Events as well as the National AgriScience Fair.

The National FFA Agricultural Communications CDE is a competitive event that tests students’ skills in all areas of the agricultural communications field and evaluates how well they can apply classroom knowledge to real-life situations.  Participants attend a simulated news conference and use the information gathered to complete individual practicums in writing, electronic media and design. Prior to the event, students compile media plans related to innovative agricultural practices, management techniques and marketing tools. Each team then creates a 15-minute presentation based on their proposal. Members also compete in an editing exercise and a general communications quiz.  Team members Grace Harden, Josslin Jarding, Maddie Leasure, and Ali Zacharias represented South Dakota in the national competition where their team earned a Silver Team Award. Individual Silver medals were earned by Harden, Jarding, and Zacharias. Leasure earned an individual Bronze.

The National FFA Environmental and Natural Resources CDE is a competitive event that allows students to apply classroom knowledge to real-life situations. This event focuses on testing students’ problem-solving and decision-making skills in environmental and natural resources. These areas concentrate on soil profiles, water quality, waste management, and the use of global positioning units. Each team competed at local and state levels for the privilege of representing their home state at the National FFA Convention & Expo. Team members Jack Linneman, Andrew Rick, Bennett Sebert, and Connor Siemonsma represented South Dakota in the national competition where their team earned a Silver Team Award. Llinneman, Sebert, and Siemonsma each earned Silver individual medals. Andrew Rick earned a Gold Individual Medal.

The National FFA Organization has announced the 2021 National FFA Agriscience Fair winners for food products and processing systems. The winners were recognized during the third session of the 94th National FFA Convention & Expo. The National FFA Agriscience Fair recognizes students who gain real-world, hands-on experiences in agricultural enterprises. Students use scientific principles and emerging technologies to solve complex problems related to agriculture, food and natural resources. The agriscience fair is for middle and high school students. Students compete in one of six categories in the agriscience fair and under one of the six divisions—either individually or in a team. Ten national finalists were named in each category and division. Finalists then presented their research and findings to a panel of judges.  National AgriScience Finalists from West Central included Andrew Rick and Bennett Sebert in Environmental Natural Resources Systems and Josslin Jarding and McKenna Sichmeller in Food Products and Processing Systems.  The top three projects in the nation were recognized on stage where McKenna Sichmeller and Josslin Jarding were named national winners.  They will receive a cash prize through the sponsorship of the National FFA Foundation. 

The West Central FFA Chapter is comprised of students enrolled in Agricultural Education courses offered at West Central High School. The FFA Chapter is advised by Agricultural Education instructor Linda Petersen.

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National AgriScience Fair Finalists

Posted on August 9, 2021 by WCFFA

Two West Central FFA AgriScience Fair Projects have been named as National Finalists.  This places their research among the top ten projects in the nation in their category and division. National Finalists will present their research and answer questions from a panel of judges via Zoom in mid-September. The top three projects in each category and division will be recognized during the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, IN in October and will be awarded cash prizes.

The  FFA Agriscience Fair recognizes students who gain real-world, hands-on experiences in agricultural enterprises. Students use scientific principles and emerging technologies to solve complex problems related to agriculture, food, and natural resources. The agriscience fair is for middle and high school students. Participation begins at the local level and progresses to state and national levels. 24 of the projects conducted by West Central FFA Members were named state-level finalists, placing in the top three projects in their category and division. Official results of the State level competition were announced during the State FFA Convention in April held in Rapid City. All First place projects advanced to the national level competition. 

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