The 2020 South Dakota FFA Convention was held May 12-14 using a virtual delivery and format. With the theme, “The Time is Now,” the hard work of all the chapters of SD FFA was recognized.
On Thursday, May 14, the National Chapter Awards were announced. According to a press release, “The National Chapter Award is the highest honor an FFA chapter can receive, and recognizes chapters that actively implement the mission and strategies of the FFA. Top chapters were recognized at 92nd SD FFA Convention, for their outstanding accomplishments. Chapters recognized have developed an active Program of Activities and conducted meaningful events. For the overall state award, a chapter must complete at least 15 activities: one for each of the five quality standards in each of the three divisions - Growing Leaders, Building Communities, and Strengthening Agriculture, and meet the minimum requirements outlined in the National Quality FFA Chapter Standards.”
Garretson FFA took 1st place in “Building Communities,” which involve activities that encourage members to become active in the community. They placed 2nd with regards to Growing Leaders and 3rd in the Strengthening Agriculture area. Garretson FFA placed 2nd in the Overall National Chapter Award, with McCook County FFA placing 1st.
For excellence in developing career-specific skills through their Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) Proficiency projects, Kennedy Houghton placed 1st in Dairy Production – Placement, Jacob Schmidt placed 2nd in Beef Production – Placement, and Evan Bly placed 3rd in Grain Production (Entrepreneurship/Placement).
During the convention, A Virtual Career Carnival featured videos from industry exhibitors, and Virtual Workshops occurred throughout the week for FFA members to interact live with ag industry representatives.
Other recognitions of the Garretson Chapter included Jacob Schmidt, Tessa Pederson, and Kaci Danforth receiving their 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 performing ten procedures of Parliamentary Law, giving a six-minute speech on an agriculture or FFA-related topic and serving as an officer, committee chairperson or participating member of a chapter committee; and, have completed at least 25 hours of community service.
Five FFA members will be graduating this year: Tessa Pederson, Jacob Schmidt, Kaci Danforth, Kylie Uhl, and Hayden Stoterau.
The National FFA Organization is a national youth organization of 579, 678 student members as part of 7,570 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 over 91 FFA chapters with over 4,400 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. To discover more about the South Dakota FFA Association or the South Dakota FFA Foundation, visit them both at sdaged.org or on Facebook and Instagram.
