2021-22 West Central FFA Dates

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

 

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on 2021-22 West Central FFA Dates

West Central FFA Advances Two Teams to National Competition

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 Communications Career Development Event (CDE) work as a team of communication consultants to develop a written media plan, present the plan to a panel of judges, and, as individuals, apply what they have learned during practicums, a quiz, and editing exercise. 

This team CDE challenges students to communicate effectively while advocating to consumers about agriculture and telling the FFA story. Students will use a variety of media in their plans—social media, broadcast and print advertising, press releases, fliers, brochures, blogging, displays, and more. 

Communication, collaboration, creativity, and presentation skills are important to event success. Students also learn a variety of technical skills such as journalistic and opinion writing, website design, video production, social media and more. 

West Central’s Ag Communications Team consists of Ali Zacharias, Maddie Leasure,  Josslin Jarding, and Grace Harden  The team won their state-level event in January. The national event will be Hybrid this year with a 15-minute video of their Media Plan Pitch being presented to judges in early August and individual practicum activities, editing test, and communications quiz being completed in mid-August. After Hybrid events, the top 16 teams will advance to face-to-face competition in Indianapolis, IN.

The Environmental and Natural Resources Career Development Event (CDE) provides competing students an opportunity to gain awareness and demonstrate knowledge in areas that affect our air, soil and water. Competitors interpret data, use measuring devices in the field and work through real-life scenarios involving environmental threats in pursuit of scoring the highest as a team and individual.

Each team consisting of four FFA members competes in all types of weather conditions – just like professionals working the environmental and natural resource industry – in pursuit of recognition for demonstrating skills relevant to GPS navigation, soil science, water management and wildlife conservation. The competitors produce written statements and an oral presentation, and must exhibit competency via writing and identification activities.

Through these challenges, students develop interest and knowledge in sustainable management of our environment and will become the future stewards of resources critical to the future of agriculture.

West Central FFA members Andrew Rick, Jack Linneman, Bennett Sebert, and Connor Siemonsma won the state-level contest in April by placing 1st, 3rd, 11th, and 15th respectively as individuals and defeating their closest competitors by more than 130 points. This event will also be in a Hybrid format with written exams, practicum events and a team activity taking place in mid-September. The top 50% of teams will advance to face-to-face competition during the National FFA Convention in October in Indianapolis, IN.

Natural Resources Team Photo l to r – Linda Petersen, Connor Siemonsma, Jack Linneman, Bennett Sebert, Andrew Rick

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on West Central FFA Advances Two Teams to National Competition

AgriScientists Win State-level Competition

 

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.

State winning AgriScience Fair Projects are as follows:

Animal Systems Division 4 – Dalton Mulder and Chase Olson

Animal Systems Division 6 – Emma Kuhlman and Madison DeMent

Environmental Systems Division 3 – Jude Jarding

Environmental Systems Division 6 – Andrew Rick and Jack Linneman

Food Systems Division 6 – Josslin Jarding and McKenna Sichmeller

Plant Systems Division 5 – Faith Hallem

Social Systems Division 3 – Jazelle Jarding

All State Level Finalists earned cash awards made possible through the South Dakota FFA Foundation.

All First place projects will advance to the national-level competition. National Finalists will be named in early August with finalists presenting their research to a panel of judges over Zoom. Results will be announced during the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, IN October 27-30, 2021

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , | Comments Off on AgriScientists Win State-level Competition

Agricultural Scientists Compete at State Level

AgSci48 West Central FFA members traveled to Chamberlain to present 34 projects for the State FFA AgriScience Fair. Members had been working on background research, project selection, experiment design, data collection, and analysis since mid-September.  Final abstracts were due to the state on March 15th. Members could choose to conduct their research in the following categories: Animal Systems, Environmental and Natural Resources Systems, Food Products and Processing Systems, Plant Systems, Power Structural and Technical Systems, and Social Systems. Members compete individually or in pairs against members in their similar age group. Divisions 1 and 2 are for students in 7th and 8th grade. Divisions 3 and 4 are for 9th and 10th graders and Divisions 5 and 6 are for students in 11th and 12 grades. The State AgriScience Fair included 130+ projects this year.

SciFair

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.

Faith Hallem

After the completion of scoring both the written abstract and the face-to-face defense of the project, scores are tallied and the top three in each division are announced as state finalists. The following 23 projects have been named state finalists.

Animal Systems

Ali Zacharias – Division 3

Chase Olson and Dalton Mulder – Division 4

Chandler Carda and Fisher Flanagan – Division 4

Maddie Leasure – Division 5

Emma Kuhlman and Madison DeMent – Division 6

Maia and Keighlor with judges

Keighlor Nolz and Maia Kennedy – Division 6

Environmental Natural Resource Systems

Jude Jarding – Division 3

Bennett Sebert Andrew Rick

Andrew Rick and Bennett Sebert – Division 6

Jack Linneman and Zach Madsen – Division 6

Food Products and Processing Systems

Lexi Nichols and Kelsey Vockrodt – Division 4

Grace Harden – Division 5

Emma Grocott – Division 5

Sammie Malinger and Hannah Davis – Division 6

McKenna Sichmeller Josslin Jarding

McKenna Sichmeller and Josslin Jarding – Division 6

Plant Systems

Connor Siemonsma and Dylan Stromer – Division 4

Faith Hallem – Division 5

Connor Person

Connor Person – Division 5

Clayton Starnes and Micah Mellema- Division 6

Power Structural Technical Systems

Cian McMillin – Division 5

Hanna Lee and Jesse Kline – Division 6

NoahandLuke

Noah Pressler and Luke Nichols – Division 6

Social Systems

Jazelle Jarding

Jazelle Jarding – Division 3

Kiara Ebbinga – Division 5

Members will learn their final placings and receive their plaques and cash awards of $100, $50, and $25 for first through third places sponsored by the South Dakota FFA Foundation on Tuesday, April 13 at the State FFA Convention. State winners in each category and division advance to the national level competition.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged | Comments Off on Agricultural Scientists Compete at State Level

West Central FFA Members Qualify for State Convention CDES

Members of the West Central FFA Chapter competed at two preliminary qualifying events during March. Members competed at Lennox on March 22 and in the Tai-Valley CDEs (Career Development Events) held at the Sioux Empire Fairgrounds on March 29th. Members needed to place within the top five teams in an 11 chapter District on March 29 in order to capture their berth to the state CDEs held in April during the State FFA Convention in Rapid City, SD. All eight of West Central’s CDE teams qualified to compete at and attend the State CDEs.

Teams and members advancing to the state level are:

Ag Mechanics – Noah Pressler, Luke Nichols, Cian McMillin, and Kenny Vockrodt

Agronomy – Jude Jarding, Chandler Carda, Fisher Flanagan, and Shayne Luzmoor

Equine Evaluation – Jami Bergeson, Chase Olson, Ali Zacharias, and Maddie Leasure

Food Science – Josslin Jarding, Grace Harden, McKenna Sichmeller, and Grace Harden

Livestock Evaluation – Kody Goehring, Kiara Ebbinga, Emma Kuhlman, and Madison DeMent

Natural Resources – Andrew Rick, Jack Linneman, Bennett Sebert, and Connor Siemonsma

Nursery Landscape – Lexi Nichols, Hanna Lee, Jazelle Jarding, and Addi Bahrenfuss

Vet Science – Jesse Kline, Kelsey Vockrodt, Dalton Mulder, and Samantha Jungwirth

Through Career Development Events, participating FFA members in grades 7 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. CDEs occur at the local, state, and national levels.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , | Comments Off on West Central FFA Members Qualify for State Convention CDES

West Central FFA Members Compete at State

Congratulations to the West Central FFA members who competed at the District VII FFA Leadership Development Events (LDE) held virtually in November 2020.  Our members competed against 11 area FFA Chapters for the chance to advance in their respective LDE to the state competition.  The top three individuals and top two teams earn a berth in the State LDEs which are normally held in Pierre.  State LDEs took place virtually spread out over a six-week time period.

Placings in the State FFA Leadership Development Events are as follows:

Ag Communications – the team of Faith Hallem, Elli Otheim, Maddie Leasure, and Ali Zacharias – 1st place – this team will advance to the national LDEs held in conjunction with the National FFA Convention in October in Indianapolis.  This is West Central’s 8th win in Ag Communications in the last 12 years!

AgComm2021

Members of the Ag Communications Team left to right: Maddie Leasure, Ali Zacharias, Faith Hallem, Elli Otheim

Ag Issues – the team of Jami Bergeson, Emma Grocott, Grace Harden, Josslin Jarding, Maia Kennedy, Keighlor Nolz, and McKenna Sichmeller placed 3rd.

thumbnail_IMG_20210117_172334_402

Members of the Ag Issues Team left to right: Josslin Jarding, McKenna Sichmeller, Emma Grocott, Jami Bergeson, Keighlor Nolz, Maia Kennedy, and Grace Harden

Ag Sales – the team of Cian McMillin, Luke Nichols, Noah Pressler, and Andrew Rick placed 6th

Market Plan team of Hannah Davis, Emma Husman, and Sammie Mallinger placed 6th

Creed Speaking – Lexi Nichols placed 7th

In Employment Skills – Jami Bergeson placed 9th

Others competing included – Jesse Holdahl in Ag Broadcasting, Kiara Ebbinga in Extemporaneous Speaking, and Andrew Rick in Employment Skills.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on West Central FFA Members Compete at State

Dates for the 2020-21 School Year

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on Dates for the 2020-21 School Year

West Central FFA Members “Attend” Virtual State FFA Convention

The 92nd South Dakota State FFA Convention was held virtually May 12-14, 2020.  Sessions were streamed live on the association’s Youtube channel.

Agricultural Proficiency Awards honor FFA members who, through supervised agricultural experiences, have developed specialized skills that they can apply toward their future careers.

Students can compete for awards in nearly 50 areas ranging from agricultural communications to wildlife management. Members who are named State winners in their respective area will advance to national competition.  Each finalist receives a cash award.  Zach Brown placed second in Dairy Production Placement.  Ethan Kueter is the state winner in Agricultural Services.

Zach Brown was awarded the $750 Mary Hansen Scholarship. 

Twelve members were awarded the State FFA Degree.  The State FFA Degree is the highest degree of membership conferred by the South Dakota FFA Association. The requirements for this degree include:

  • Having earned and productively invested at least $1,000, or worked at least 300 hours in excess of scheduled class time, or a combination thereof, in a Supervised Agricultural Experience program.
  • Demonstrated leadership ability by participating in five or more activities above the chapter level.
  • Have completed at least 25 hours of community service.

West Central FFA members earning the degree include: Zach Brown, Isak Edwards, Caden Farmer, Zachariah Fieber, Caden Hanisch, Lindsey Kapperman, Ethan Kueter, Alisha McMartin, Jersie Reese, Brayden Scott, Brayden Siemonsma, and Dylan Waxdahl.

The State 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. Members who win their respective division advance to the national level of competition. The top three projects in each division are named as finalists. Results for West Central FFA members are as follows.

Animal Systems 

Division 3 – Ali Zacharias – State Winner

Division 4 Emma Kuhlman and Hailey Overby – State Winner

Karlye Maras and Maddie Leasure – 2nd Place

Keighlor Nolz and Maia Kennedy – 3rd Place

Division 6 – Maria Schaefer and Zach Brown – State Winner

Ethan Kueter and Isak Edwards – 3rd Place

Environmental Systems

Division 3 – Jack Linneman – 3rd Place

Division 4 – Andrew Rick and Bennett Sebert – 2nd Place

Food Products and Processing Systems

Division 3 – Grace Harden – State Winner

Division 4 -Chase Olson and Connor Siemonsma – 2nd Place

McKenna Sichmeller and Josslin Jarding – 3rd Place

Division 5 – Mackenzie Grauel – 3rd place

Plant Systems

Division 3 – Emma Husman – State Winner

Hannah Davis – 2nd Place

Sammie Mallinger – 3rd Place

Division 4 – Chelsea Shumaker and Melissa Anderson- 3rd Place

Division 5 – Alisha McMartin – 2nd Place

Division 6  -Epiphany Hammer and Bre Bossman – 2nd Place

Micah Mellema and Clayton Starnes – 3rd Place

Power, Structural and Technical Systems

Division 5 – Jesse Holdahl – 3rd Place

Division 6 – Noah Pressler and Luke Nichols – State Winner

Social Systems

Division 5 – Kiara Ebbinga – 2nd Place

Emma Grocott – 3rd Place

Career Development Events (CDEs) test skills and knowledge in a host of topics related to food, agriculture and natural resources. Career Development Events develop college and career readiness skills. The competitive events serve as an outgrowth of instruction in the agricultural education classroom for FFA members in grades 7 to 12. Through CDEs, participating FFA members 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 events occur at the local, state and national level. They are are designed and regularly evaluated to meet AFNR Career Cluster Content Standards.

West Central CDE results are as follows:

Dairy Cattle Evaluation team of Noah Pressler, Cian McMillin, and Kenny Vockrodt placed 6th

Food Science team of Josslin Jarding, McKenna Sichmeller, Maia Kennedy, and Keighlor Nolz placed 9th.

Natural Resources team of Andrew Rick, Bennett Sebert and Jack Linneman placed 4th.  Andrew Rick placed 2nd individually.

Nursery Landscape team of Brayden Scott, Andrew Rick and Hanna Lee placed 4th.  Brayden placed 9th and Andrew was 11th individually.

Floriculture team of Jersie Reese, Hannah Davis, Emma Husman and Sammie Mallinger placed 11th.

Horse Evaluation team of Maddie Leasure, Ali Zacharias, and Karlye Maras placed 12th.  Maddie was 16th place individually.

West Central FFA members are all enrolled in an agricultural education class at West Central High School, they are advised by Linda Petersen.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on West Central FFA Members “Attend” Virtual State FFA Convention

State FFA AgriScience Fair Finalists

AgriScienceLogo

State AgriScience Finalists!

Animal Systems

Division 3 – Ali Zacharias

Division 4 -Emma Kuhlman and Hailey Overby

Maddie Leasure and Karlye Maras

Keighlor Nolz and Maia Kennedy

Division 6 – Zach Brown and Maria Schaefer

Ethan Kueter and Isak Edwards

Environmental Systems

Division 3 – Jack Linneman

Division 4 – Andrew Rick and Bennett Sebert

Food Products 

Division 3 – Grace Harden

Division 4 – Chase Olson and Connor Siemonsma

McKenna Sichmeller and Josslin Jarding

Division 5 – Mackenzie Grauel

Plant Systems

Division 3 – Emma Husman

Hannah Davis

Sammie Mallinger

Division 4 – Chelsea Shumaker and Melissa Anderson

Division 5 – Alisha McMartin

Division 6 – Epiphany Hammer and Bre Bossman

Micah Mellema and Clayton Starnes

Power, Structural Technical

Division 5 – Jesse Holdahl

Division 6 – Luke Nichols and Noah  Pressler

Social Systems

Division 5 -Kiara Ebbinga

Emma Grocott

 

23 finalists out of 35 submitted projects!  Great work Gang!  We’ll hear results during the virtual state convention.  I believe these will be announced during the May 14th session at 7 p.m. First place projects will re-write and submit for national consideration.

More info here as it becomes available:https://www.sdaged.org/virtual-state-convention

 

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged | Comments Off on State FFA AgriScience Fair Finalists

Members Advance to State Leadership Development Events

Congratulations to the West Central FFA members who competed at the District VII FFA Leadership Development Events (LDE) held at West Central on November 11, 2019.  Our members competed against 11 area FFA Chapters for the chance to advance in their respective LDE to the state competition.  The top three individuals and top two teams earn a berth in the State LDEs to be held in December in Pierre.

Issues 2019

Placing first in Ag Issues, the team of Jersie Reese, Maria Schaefer, Jami Bergeson,  Lack row Maia Kennedy, Emma Grocott, Elli Otheim and McKenna Sichmeller.

Ag Comm

The Ag Communications team of Bennett Sebert, Grace Harden, Josslin Jarding and Epiphany Hammer placed first.Zach Brown placed first in Employment Skills.

ZachBrown

Zach Brown placed first in Employment Skills.

Other competitors were:

Andrew Rick placed 3rd in Employment Skills.

The Ag Sales team of Zach Brown, Cian McMillin, Noah Pressler and Andrew Rick placed 2nd.

The Market Plan team of Hannah Davis, Emma Husman and Said Malinger placed 2nd.

Kiara Ebbinga placed 2nd in Extemporaneous Speaking.

In Creed Speaking Ali Zacharias placed 2nd and Shayne Luzmoor placed 3rd.

Isak Edwards placed 3rd in Ag Broadcasting.

The winning team and individual in each LDE at the state level will represent South Dakota in October in Indianapolis during the 93rd National FFA Convention.  West Central FFA members are students enrolled in Agricultural Education classes.  They are advised and coached by Linda Petersen.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Members Advance to State Leadership Development Events