Submitted by Brooklyn Trudeau, Reporter
Brookings, SD- The 96th South Dakota State FFA Convention was held on April 18th-20th, 2024 in Brookings, SD. Twenty-eight members of the Garretson FFA Chapter were in attendance for workshops, educational tours, competing in a Career Development Event, and attending sessions where some received well-deserved awards.
At the first general session, Jakob Gnadt and Colin Shellum were recognized as finalist with their Agriscience Project, “What Popcorn Pops the Best?”, in the Food Products and Processing category in division six. The SD FFA Association recognizes students who gain real-world, hands-on experiences in agricultural enterprises.
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 and Natural Resource Systems; Food Products & Processing Systems; Plant Systems; Power, Structural & Technology Systems; Social Systems). Projects involve extensive research as well as writing a written report including information on previous studies related to the topic, their research and findings.
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At the Second General Session on Friday, April 19th, two of our members received their State FFA Degree. The State Degree is the highest honor the South Dakota FFA Association can bestow upon its members. In order to achieve the award, members must meet the following requirements: have received their Chapter FFA Degree, been an FFA member and agricultural education student for at least two years, earned at least $2,000, or worked 600 hours in their Supervised Agricultural Experience program, given a six-minute speech about agriculture or FFA, participated in eight different leadership activities, received a “C” average or better in high school and shown a record of outstanding leadership and community involvement.
The South Dakota FFA Honorary State Degrees were presented at the Third General Session on April 19th, in Brookings, SD. These awards recognize outstanding contributions in support of the South Dakota FFA, acknowledging that ag leaders and industry are key in developing our future agriculture and community leaders. The Honorary State FFA Degree recognizes individuals who are helping to advance agricultural education and the FFA and who have rendered outstanding service to the organization with their time, talents and treasures. Garretson FFA Advisor, Ms. Alysha Kientopf was one of 25 recipients of this honor.
Among the 319 FFA members from across the state that were awarded the state degree charm, Hannah Frewaldt and Cash Pullman represented Garretson meeting the necessary qualifications.
We had members qualify and compete in Agronomy, Floriculture, Horse Evaluation, Livestock Evaluation, Meats Evaluation and Veterinary Science Career Development Events (CDEs). Some highlights from CDEs were Alexis Christensen placing 12th in Horse Evaluation, Elijah Winterton placing 23rd in Livestock Evaluation and the Horse team, made up of Alexis Christensen, Lane Ellefson, Chloe Hermanson, and Madison Waltman, placed 8th as a Team.
Four members, Tanner Baatz, Jacoby Costello, Reece Connelly, Brooklyn Trudeau participated in the South Dakota Farmers Union Farm Safety Quiz Bowl competing against the Canton FFA Chapter. They took a lead in this round with a score of 90 points, but they came up short to be one of the final four teams to advance onto the South Dakota State Fair Farm Safety Quiz Bowl showdown.
Amongst the excitement at the 96th State FFA Convention members were able to hear from Keynote speaker, A’ric Jackson on “Don’t be Scared” and Carter Howell, National FFA Southern Region Vice President “Everything Happens for a Reason”. Many inspiring lessons were able to be brought home with those in attendance. Members also toured the Davis Dairy Plant where they had the opportunity to see how ice-cream and cheese are made on South Dakota State University’s Campus, toured the Raven Precision Ag Department, visited the South Dakota Ag Museum and enjoyed team bonding through bowling and chapter meals. This year was a ‘Break Through’ of trying new things and we cannot wait to continue to grow through premier leadership, personal growth and career success in the year to come.
