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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2021-22 West Central FFA Dates

Posted on August 9, 2021 by WCFFA

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

 

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West Central FFA Advances Two Teams to National Competition

Posted on August 9, 2021 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 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

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AgriScientists Win State-level Competition

Posted on July 15, 2021 by WCFFA

 

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

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Agricultural Scientists Compete at State Level

Posted on April 2, 2021 by WCFFA

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.

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West Central FFA Members Qualify for State Convention CDES

Posted on April 2, 2021 by WCFFA

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.

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West Central FFA Members Compete at State

Posted on February 16, 2021 by WCFFA

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.

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Dates for the 2020-21 School Year

Posted on July 15, 2020 by WCFFA

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