FFA members are preparing for agriculture careers, learning the role agriculture plays in feeding and clothing the world, and looking for opportunities to grow the industry. FFA’s Career Development Events are built around ag industry careers, expose members to many of the opportunities and needs in the agriculture sector, and enable them to develop and refine their abilities to critically evaluate, effectively communicate and ultimately, succeed in future careers.

One of the hallmarks of agricultural education and the FFA is the opportunity to showcase skills learned in classrooms and spotlighted through 15 Career Development Events at the State FFA Convention (April 18-20, 2024). It is a source of pride and students look forward to the state-level events each year to determine who will represent South Dakota at the national level in the fall. This year 2,100 South Dakota FFA members competed.

Range Plant ID: Sponsored by the SDSU Range Science Club. 1st Place Team: Kadoka – Advisors Kaycee Jones and Kade Bonenberger. Team members: Shaylee Porch, Breezy Amiotte, Kole Hermann and Makaylan Bonenberger.

Top Individuals:

1. Adrik Schoon, Jones County
2. Kole Hermann, Kadoka
3. Makaylan Bonenberger, Kadoka

Courtesy photo.

Livestock Evaluation: Awards are sponsored by SD Pork Producers Council. The travel scholarship is sponsored by Dakotaland Feeds, Travis Hoffman, Kimball Livestock Exchange LLC and Beef Logic. 1st Place Team: Highmore – Advisor Todd Waring. Team members: Payton Beare, Kenidey Effling, April Fallis and Jady LeDoux.

2nd: Parker

3rd: Willow Lake

Courtesy photo.

Top Individuals:

1. Chance Blume, Chamberlain
2. Payton Beare, Highmore
3. Charlie Cody, Tri-Valley

Courtesy photo.

Nursery Landscape: Awards are sponsored by Midwest STIHL. The travel scholarship is sponsored by SODAK Gardens, Northern Plains Landscaping, J Ellen Design and Market and the Wendy Mortenson Agency. 1st Place Team: Gettysburg – Advisor Sarah McClure. Team members: Tanner Eide, Bobbi Eide, Trace Genzler and Jerand Chase.

2nd: Montrose

3rd: Parkston

Courtesy photo.

Top Individuals:

1. Tanner Eide, Gettysburg
2. Addison Gordon, Montrose
3. Makarie Wieversick, Montrose

Courtesy photo.

Agricultural Business Management: Awards sponsored by Rufus and Patty DeZeeuw and the team travel scholarships are sponsored by Rufus & Patty DeZeeuw, FarmHouse Fraternity-SDSU, Leisinger Farm, Kyle & Jody Peterson, and United Animal Health. 1st place team: Brookings; Advisors Josh Johnson & Michelle Dykstra. Team members: Kennedy Nemitz, Clayton Nelson, Gabriel Stern and Leil Murray.

2nd: Willow Lake

3rd: Highmore

Top Individuals:

1. Harlee Nielson, Hitchcock Tulare
2. Clayton Nelson, Brookings
3. Kaylyn Hofer, Willow Lake

Agricultural Technology and Mechanical Systems: Awards and drills for each of the top 10 individuals sponsored by the CHS Foundation and the team travel scholarships are sponsored by CHS Foundation, Grossenburg Implement, and the Kettelhut Family The top place team also received a new welder from the Lincoln Electric Company. 1st place team: Howard; Advisor Charlene Weber. Team members: Mason Jacobson, Thomas Connor, Zachary Connor and Gabe Miller.

2nd: Miller

3rd: Bookings

Top Individuals:

1. Andrew Even, Parker
2. Samson Storrhaug, Brookings
3. Zachary Connor, Howard

Agronomy: Awards are sponsored by Simplot and the team travel scholarships are sponsored by Croplan by WinField United; De & Mike Johnson in Memory of Walt Johnson; Hoegemeyer Hybrids; Simplot; Steven Zemlicka in Honor of Stan and Carol Gage. 1st place team: Harrisburg – Advisors Tara Fastert and Josh Christensen. Team members: Christopher Moore, Owen Murphy, Isabella Smithback and Kendrick Droppers.

2nd: McCook Central

3rd: Hot Springs

Top Individuals:

1. Isabella Smithback, Harrisburg
2. Kendrick Droppers, Harrisburg
3. Owen Murphy, Harrisburg

Dairy Cattle Evaluation: Awards sponsored by SD Division of the Midwest Dairy Association and the team travel scholarships are sponsored by the Richard Lauck Family, Ash Grove Dairy, Sharp’s Inc. and Victory Farms. 1st Place Team: Bridgewater Emery – Advisor Alex Toupal. Team members: Landon Berg, Quinton Berg, Alaina Golder and Cash Martinez.

2nd: Beresford

3rd: McCook Central

Top Individuals:

1. Quinton Berg, Bridgewater Emery
2. Landon Berg, Bridgewater Emery
3. Allie Westra, Beresford

Floriculture: Awards and travel scholarships are sponsored by Dr. David Graper, Wendy Mortenson Agency, and Gettysburg FFA. 1st Place Team: Wessington Springs, Advisor Brady Duxbury. Team members: Anna Arhart, Carissa Scheel, Alyssa Grohs and Mercedes Jones.

2nd: Scotland

3rd: Belle Fourche

Top Individuals:

1. Anna Arhart, Wessington Springs
2. Desiree Yosten, Menno
3. Emily Walz, Parkston

Food Science and Technology: Awards sponsored by Valley Queen Cheese and the team travel scholarships are sponsored by Dan and Sheri Kahnke, Agropur Inc-Cheese and Whey Products. 1st Place Team: Milbank – Advisor Sara Colombe. Team members: Raul Berrones, Summer DeBoer, Samuel Shelstad and Grace Weston.

2nd: Harrisburg

3rd: Parker

Top Individuals:

1. Raule Berrones, Millbank
2. Grace Weston, Millbank
3. Parker Lessman, Parker

Horse Evaluation: Awards are sponsored by K Bar J Leather of Newell. The travel scholarships are sponsored by K Bar J Leather, Rodney Yost Horsemanship, and Wendy Mortenson Agency. 1st Place Team: Rapid City Stevens – Advisor Genetie Hendrix. Team members: Kaiva Coleman, Ethan Hendrix, Elliot Hendrix and Patty Trask.

2nd: Milbank

3rd: Bon Homme

Top Individuals:

1. Elliot Hendrix, Rapid City Stevens
2. Erin Osmotherly, Hot Springs
3. Kaiva Coleman, Rapid City Stevens

Meats Evaluation: Awards are sponsored by Smithfield Foods and travel scholarships sponsored by Smithfield Foods, Tri Valley Alumni and The Meathouse. 1st Place Team: Elkton – Advisor Anthony Zubke. Team members: Tait Boersma, Brienna Boersma, Blake Devries and Brooklyn Boersma.

2nd: Brookings

3rd: Tri-Valley

Top Individuals:

1. Brooklyn Boersma, Elkton
2. Brienna Boersma, Elkton
3. Kendall McArveavey, Tri-Valley

Milk Quality & Products: Awards are sponsored by Agropur Inc – Cheese and Whey Products. The travel scholarship is sponsored by The Justin Maass Family, Agropur Inc, and Heidi and Mark Zwinger. First Place Team: Millbank – Advisor Sara Colombe. Team members: Veronica Fonder, Morgean French, Joseph French and Jacob Erickson.

2nd: Willow Lake

3rd: McCook Central

Top Individuals:

1. Owen Alley, McCook Central
2. Veronica Fodner, Millbank
3. Cooper Pommer, Willow Lake

Natural Resources: Awards are sponsored by SD Grassland Coalition. The travel scholarship is sponsored by Jeff VandnerWilt, John Lentz and the SD Grassland Coalition. 1st Place Team: Brookings – Advisors Josh Johnson and Michelle Dykstra. Team members: Shane Harming, Blake Herrig, Andrew Dammen and Joseph Fitzpatrick.

2nd: Clark

3rd: Kadoka

Top Individuals:

1. Lilija Coleman, Rapid City Stevens
2. Dawson Dorr, Montrose
3. Joseph Fitzpatrick, Brookings

Poultry: Awards are sponsored by South Dakota Poultry Industries Association. The travel scholarship is sponsored by South Dakota Poultry Industries Association, Salem Veterinary Service and Dakota Layers LLP. 1st Place Team: Redfield – Advisor Brad Cihak. Team members: Evan Jaton, Benson Beckler, Kevin Weller and Elden Blume.

2nd: Lennox Sundstrom

3rd: Sunshine Bible Academy

Top Individuals:

1. Karin Sweeter, Lennox Sundstrom
2. Elden Blume, Redfield
3. Daraby Boersma, Sunshine Bible Academy

Vet Science: Awards are sponsored by Susan A. Stoterau DVM and Alice Harty DVM. Travel scholarships are sponsored by SD Veterinary Medical Association, Salem Veterinary Service, Susan A. Stoterau DVM and Alice Harty DVM. 1st Place Team: Brookings – Advisors Josh Johnson and Michelle Dykstra. Team members: Josie Nold, Desiraie Johnson, Jordyn Tibbs and Cassie Fenske.

2nd: Mitchell

3rd: Harrisburg

Top Individuals:

1. Josie Nold, Brookings
2. Raigan Flatten, Clark
3. Hope Baysinger, Mitchell