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.
