BROOKINGS – Two hundred seventy-six FFA members showcased one hundred ninety-six projects during the South Dakota FFA Agriscience Fair on Wednesday, April 8. Winners were recognized during the 98th South Dakota State FFA Convention, April 20–22, at First Bank and Trust Arena. Sessions they were apart of were sponsored by Raven and the U.S. Army. Research Supervised Agricultural Experiences (SAE) programs offer a deep dive into the scientific aspects of agriculture. These projects include investigation of materials, processes, and information to generate new knowledge or validate existing research. Agriscience Research SAEs may be experimental, analytical, or inventive in nature. Through these projects, students collaborate with peers, educators, university researchers, and industry specialists.
Agriscience students use scientific principles and emerging technologies to solve complex problems related to agriculture, food and natural resources in six different categories: Animal Systems; Environmental Services/Natural Resource Systems; Food Products & Processing Systems; Plant Systems; Power, Structural & Technical Systems; and Social Systems. Projects involve extensive research and a written report including background information, research methods, results, and conclusions. Students compete individually or as teams in six divisions.
I – Individual member in grades 7 and 8
II – Team of two members in grades 7 and 8
III – Individual member in grades 9 and 10
IV – Team of two members in grades 9 and 10
V – Individual member in grades 11 and 12
VI – Team of two members in grades 11 and 12
Top projects in each division advance for consideration to compete at the National FFA Agriscience Fair at the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana this fall. Area winners are as follows:
Animal Systems
Division 3, sponsored by Fall River Feedyard and the Franken Family:
1st – Emma Dissing, Tri-Valley
2nd – Kade Oehlke, Tri-Valley
3rd – Kaylie LaBrie, Doland
Division 4, sponsored by Fall River Feedyard and the Franken Family:
1st – RaeAnna Knock and Adelynn Ihnen, Hitchcock-Tulare
2nd – Suttyn Klinkhammer and Khloie Klinkhammer, McCook Central
3rd – Adeline Miles and Stella Oyen, McCook Central
Division 6, sponsored by Dakota Hills Veterinary Clinic, First Bank & Trust, De-Tye Vet Supply Inc, and First Dakota National Bank:
1st – Rylee Knock and Jocelyn Wagner, Hitchcock-Tulare
2nd – Alex Siemonsma and Stella Siemonsma, McCook Central
3rd – Amanda Tuschen and Sophia Havard, West Central
Environmental Service/Natural Resource Systems
Division 1, sponsored by Ducks Unlimited:
1st – Levi Horstman, McCook Central
2nd – Kinze Haskell, Doland
3rd – Weston Grace, Montrose
Division 5, sponsored by ProAg Engineering, Inc.:
1st – Julianne Grady, McCook Central
2nd – Ty Boekelheide, Northwestern Area
3rd – Olivia Knox, Doland
Plant Systems
Division 1: sponsored by Next Level Ag, Dan and Sheri Khanke, Bayer, and the South Dakota Corn Utilization Council
1st – Emery Rahm, Doland
2nd – Charlotte Koch, McCook Central
3rd – Eastyn Traupel, McCook Central
Division 3: sponsored by Central Farmers Cooperative, Puris, and The First National Bank in Sioux Falls
1st – Kasey Dobesh, Belle Fourche
2nd – Brodie Boomsma, Doland
3rd – Emery Hartman, West Central
Power, Structural, and Technical Systems
Division 1: sponsored by Meyerink Farm Service 1st – Wyatt Lambert, Doland
2nd – Jace Smith, Doland
3rd – Tucker Weiszhaar, Leola
Division 3: sponsored by Butler Machinery Company and CTE Global, Inc. 1st – Branson Brink, Belle Fourche
2nd – Bryxx Bawek, Doland
3rd – Teagan Weiszhaar, Leola
The National FFA Organization is a national youth organization of 1,042,245 student members as part of 9,407 local FFA chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. As part of the National FFA Organization, the South Dakota FFA Association encompasses 113 chapters with over 6,500 South Dakota FFA members. FFA strives to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth, and career success through agricultural education. Visit www.sdaged.org for more information.
The South Dakota FFA Foundation is a charitable organization that supports agricultural education and the leadership development opportunities and activities of SD FFA members statewide through programs, awards, college and travel scholarships, grant programs, and more. To learn more or become a donor, visit: https://sdffafoundation.org/ or contact [email protected].
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