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.
