FFA’sNEW

ERA March 2013Vol. 79 • No. 2

SOUTHDAKOTA

It is now getting close to that specific time of the year that FFA members absolutely LOVE! In one month, FFA members will be traveling from all over the state to Brookings, SD where we come together as a whole and have the experience of a lifetime! This year’s South Dakota State Convention theme is Push it to the Limit! As FFAmembers, we will Push it to the Limit while we are showcasing our skills in career development events, star awards, proficiencies, state degrees, and much more! FFA members, advisors, and guests will have much to look forward to as they arrive on the SDSU Campus. We will be hearing the motivational words of Dr. Rick Rigsby during the Sunday night session. Seth Pratt, the2011-2012 National Western Region Vice President will address the Monday afternoon session. Seth attended the 2012 West River Leadership Retreatand is looking forward to reconnecting with SD FFA members! We will also welcome Lindsey Anderson, the2012-2013 National FFA WesternRegion Vice President. Lindsey will conduct workshops on Monday as well as address the State Degree Banquet and Monday evening session. Get ready to show your potential, meet new friends, make great memories, and PUSH IT TO THE LIMIT!

Knudson Takes GoldBy Taylor Leonhardt, State President

Who can boast that they arethe first National FFA AgriscienceChampion from South Dakota?Taylor Knudson from the FlorenceFFA chapter! During the 85thNational FFA Convention Taylorparticipated in the National FFAAgriscience fair and won the junior divisionof the Food Products and Processing Systems category, making her the first and only National FFA Agriscience champion from South Dakota. Taylor is a sophomore at Florence High School, with Mr. Jim Chilson as her FFA advisor. Taylor’s project was entitled “Do you taste what you see?” In her experiment she altered theappearance of cupcakes and apple juice byusing food coloring. Then she had students

A Year of ServiceBy Kelli Garry, State Reporter

On April 16, eight new individuals will be chosen to serve the South Dakota FFAAssociation for 365 days. Six of those eight will serve as state officers. At the 2013 stateconvention, state officer candidates will go through an intense interview process. During the final session of state convention, six names will be called to serve on the 2013-2014state officer team! As state officers, they will travel the state serving as agricultural advocates. These state officers will be responsible for putting on several activities, including two leadership retreats, district officer training and state convention. Throughout the year, the state officers will help members carry out the mission of FFA: premier leadership, personal growth and career success. The Student Ambassador Selection Committee will select two student ambassadors to assist the state officers in carrying out many events throughout the year. The ambassadors travel with the officer team and help with Leadership Retreat, State Fair, State Leadership CDEs, Legislative Breakfast, District Officer Training, the Corduroy Classic, and State Convention! South Dakota FFA, it’s time for you to get PUMPED! The South Dakota State FFAConvention is a month away!

It’s Time!By Savanna Sperle, State Sentinel

sample the food and tell her what they tasted. The results showed that the students who ate the altered food tasted different flavors than what the food product was supposed to taste like. Taylor’s research is important to the field of agriculture because her project will help food companies improve their products. Not only did Taylor make South Dakota history, but she also made her small town of Florence and her FFA chapter proud in the process! Taylor plans to continue her research and hopefully we will hear more of Taylor Knudson in the future as she continues to represent South Dakota FFA! Congratulations Taylor on your outstanding achievement!

March 2013: Vol. 79 • No. 2Published three times per year by the

South Dakota FFA Association

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2012-2013 STATE OFFICERS

PRESIDENTTaylor Leonhardt, Groton

taylor.leonhardt@jacks.sdstate.edu

VICE-PRESIDENT Andy Rausch, Hoven

andrew.rausch@jacks.sdstate.edu

SECRETARYAshley Tonak, Willow Lakeashley.tonak@jacks.sdstate.edu

TREASURERTyler Swan, Newell

tyler.swan@jacks.sdstate.edu

REPORTERKelli Garry, Lake Prestonkelli.garry@jacks.sdstate.edu

SENTINELSavanna Sperle, Reva

savanna.sperle@jacks.sdstate.edu

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

EXECUTIVE SECRETARYMichelle Nelson

107 Wenona Hall, SDSU Box 507Brookings, SD 57007

(605) 688-4380michelle.nelson@sdstate.edu

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

STATE ADVISORNora Kohlenberg

Office of Career & Tech. Ed.800 Governor’s Drive

Pierre, SD 57501(605) 773-4747

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SD FFA FoundationEXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Gerri Eide(605) 765-4865

gerri@sdffafoundation.org

39393 133rd St.Bath, SD 57427

SD FFA AlumniDawn Nagel

dmnagel@yahoo.com

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District AdvisorsDist. 1 — Greg Janisch, Clark

Dist. 2 — Dave VanderWal, DeSmetDist. 3 — Christina Ebeling, Beresford

Dist. 4 — Chas Fleshner, MennoDist. 5 — Jamie Brown, Harding Co.Dist. 6 — Tara Beitelspacher, BowdleDist. 7 — Linda Petersen, West Central

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

AGED.SDSTATE.EDU

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ASSISTANT DIRECTORGretchen Sharp(605) 225-8904

gretchen@sdffafoundation.org

The Land of Blue & GoldBy Ashley Tonak, State Secretary Over 200 FFA members and advisors from across the state had a great time cheering on the South Dakota State University Jackrabbits on Feb. 9th at the 10th Annual Corduroy Classic. FFA members mingled at the ice cream social before the game, sponsored by Sioux Nation Ag. Thanks to the SDSU Ag Bio Ambassadors for scooping the ice cream! Members received specially designed SDSU/FFA Corduroy Classic t-shirts, sponsored by FMC Ag Products, to wear while they watched the SDSU Women’s Basketball team earn yet another win by a score of 83-48 over Oakland. At half-time, the state officers were recognized along with the American Degree Recipients and Proficiency Finalists. Also at half-time, the first ever FFA Family of the Year Award was presented to the AJ and MaryVanderWal family. FMC Agricultural Products sponsored this new award as a special project of the SD FFAFoundation. The VanderWal’s have been very active at the chapter, state, and national levels of FFA. They have shown leadership by coaching judging teams, providing livestock judging schools, and always being there to answer a question, help with a project, or fill out an application. They not only support FFA by attending events, but also promote and financially support the organization. The 2013 FFA Family of the Year has had 11 state degree recipients, 14 chapter officers, a national Proficiency winner, a member of theNational Champion Dairy Foods team, a state officer, two State Star Farmers, and a State Star inAgri-Business, among many other awards and accomplishments. Congratulations to the AJ and Mary VanderWal family!

Costa Rica Bound!By Andy Rausch, State Vice President

Thanks to hard work and determinationin their SAE projects, two South DakotaFFA members are planning their trip toCosta Rica June 11-19, 2013. Abby Flandersand Alex Braun of the Harrisburg FFAChapter were selected to attend. Onenational finalist from each of the 49different proficiency areas is selected forthis trip. Participants will tour farms andagri-businesses, experiencing first-handthe cultural diversity in agriculture acrossthe globe. They will also gain perspectivesabout our ever-changing global marketsand develop a sense of community withpeople of other cultures involved inagriculture. This is also a great opportunityfor FFA members to build connectionswith global industry leaders for internshipand employment opportunities. Marshall Spaans, from McCook Central,attended this trip last summer. He wassurprised at how well they were treatedas visitors and felt at home with thesmall town atmosphere. His favorite partwas seeing all the different farmingtechniques, with most of the farmsbeing two or three acre tropical fruitand vegetable farms. Congratulations Abby and Alex!

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Gauchos, Soybeans & Iguazu FallsBy Kelly Garry, State Reporter

Seventy-one state officers. Nine flights. Six days. One word: AMAZING. The 2013International Leadership Seminar for State Officers (ILSSO) serves as an opportunity for state officers to experience global agriculture. This year, ILSSO went south for the winter – all the way to Argentina. On Jan. 4, state officers from around the country gathered in Miami, Florida for orientation to the program. In orientation, ourchaperones informed us about the agriculture industry in Argentina, as well as thecustoms and culture of the area. Once we were all up to speed on Argentina, we loaded up on charter buses to check in for our Saturday evening flight, which was the first international flight for many of us. After a nine hour flight we finally set foot on Argentine soil. The first item on our agenda was touring a small local farm that produced mostly cattle and corn. The mostinteresting fact that I learned during this visit was that the farmer had planted his cornalmost three months late but still expected a full yield. The following day, Monday, we had the opportunity to tour a 160-head dairy operation. In addition to gathering information about the specific dairy, we gained insight on the dairy industry as a whole. That afternoon, we traveled to a sheep farm. This tour intrigued me - I found it fascinating that, even in Argentina, there are sheep shows! The owners of this farm really prided themselves on the fact that they had taken their sheep to several shows and had won first place at the majority of the shows! A tour of “T6,” a large soybean crushing plant, began Tuesday’s festivities. Since soybeans are so dominant in Argentina, it only made sense that we saw the process that Argentine soybeans went through. Tuesday afternoon was relaxing, as we took a boat ride around the

city of Rosario. Wednesday was by far the most eventful day. Early that morning, we all zipped up our corduroy jackets to visit one of the largest cattle markets in the country. Thechaperones kept hyping up how big this market was, but it didn’t register in my mind until I actually saw the facilities. Between 8 and 12 thousand cattle pass through their gates every day! The pens seem to go on forever; the size of the market was astonish-ing to me. Later that day, we made the trek across the capital city of Buenos Aires to visit the residence of the US ambassador to Argentina. We met with a ForeignAgricultural Service agent who specialized in all things Argentineagriculture. She

answered all of our questions and elaborated on all of Argentina’s major commodities, which include soybeans, beef, sunflowers, corn and fruit. After taking a quick tour of the ambassador’s residence, we loaded back up on the buses to catch our flight to Iguazu Falls. We started touring Iguazu Falls bright and early on Thursdaymorning. A rainforest in the northern part of Argentina, Iguazu Falls makes up one of the seven natural wonders of the world. The most memorable part of the day came when we took a boat rideunderneath the falls. The falls soaked every single one of us! Even though we were dripping with river water, that 20-minute boat ride gave us an adrenaline rush. Our final day in the country of Argentina began with a tour around the city of Buenos Aires. Following our tour of the city, we traveled several hours to a gaucho ranch. A gaucho is the Argentineequivalent of a cowboy. While eating a delicious meal of steak and chicken, the gauchos treated us to a show. They provided musicwhile we indulged in their culture by trying our hands at tangoing. To finish out our day at the ranch, we got the chance to ride horses around their wide open fields. The eight days that I spent traveling with ILSSO 2013 wereabsolutely life-changing. Because I wasn’t raised on a farm, I foundall the information about the farms we visited absolutely fascinating. This trip opened my eyes to the importance of global agriculture; we may not realize it, but our actions here in the United States impactthe farms that I had the chance to tour while in South America.

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Chapter Chatter The Alcester Hudson FFA officers had a mini retreat over Christmas break to determine what they wanted to do during National FFA Week. They decided to break the chapter into committees and have all members help organize the week. Some of the activities they included: drive your tractor to school, Jr. High Sweetheart dance, Ag Olympics, Elementary Classroom activities and many otheractivities. The chapter is also preparing for Spring CDE’s. Members of the Bowdle FFA have been extremely busy preparing for CDE’s, putting ideas together for the annual agri-science fair, and other events. Members held a Christmas party and conducted fruit sales. Six members applied for their State Degrees and were interviewed for that honor at State Degree Day in Faulkton. Plans have also begun for presenting the Food For America program at area schools. ~ By Hanah Kappenman, Reporter The Brandon Valley FFA had a party for the fruit sellers and gave out $400 in prize money. They finished up a coat driveand took the coats to The Banquet in Sioux Falls. Back in November the chapter entered in the parade of lights in Brandon. Theyattended the Corduroy Classic on February 9th along with the Stampede Night on the 15th. They also had a meeting to announce the Spring CDE’s to members. Recently, the Deubrook FFA members coordinated a school wide effort to collect money from White and the surrounding communi-ties for Splash Out Hunger. They succeeded in collecting more than $10,000 which was used to purchase supplies to package 66,096 meals for those less fortunate across the United States and abroad. FFA members as well as the entire student body hosted the food packing day during FFA Week. The chapter also put on a school wide poverty dinner to raise awareness of hunger problems and visited the elementary school during FFA Week to discuss healthy eating habits with the students. The McCook Central FFA Senior Parliamentary Procedure team coached four Junior High Parli Pro teams for the first ever JH CDE in Viborg-Hurley on January 21st. Both 7th grade teams and both 8th grade teams placed 1st and 2nd in Parli Pro. Two junior highstudents place 2nd and 3rd in Creed speaking. We also had four District STARS interview. Brandon Reif (2nd in Agribusiness), Jean Skoglund (1st in Placement), Melissa Nelson (1st in Farmer), and Adam Eichacker (1st in Greenhand). The chapter officers planned a fun filled FFA Week which included a daily trivia question in our announcements and games during lunch. We hosted an emblem hunt, a business and staff appreciation day, our scholarship fundraiser of passing an animal, Ag Olympics for the elementary, and wrapped up the week teaching kindergarteners where their food comes from and what Ag Education has to offer. We had an FFA shirt day and dress like a farmer day. It was a fun week! ~By Stefani Matthies The Mitchell FFA marketing team placed in the silver category at the National FFA Convention. At State Leadership CDE’s held in

Stampede!

By Tyler Swan, State Treasurer While attending a hockey game, there are certain things that a fan comes to expect: pennants, decorated fans, concession stands, hometown spirit, and of course, cowbells; but what about blue corduroy jackets? Friday, the 15th of February, South Dakota FFA members were out tosupport the Sioux Falls Stampede in their match against the OmahaLancers. Not only was it an opportunity for FFA members to take in a US Hockey League game, but it was also a chance to meet up and hang outwith other members from across the state. Julianna and Taylin Albrecht from the DeSmet FFA Chapter sang theNational Anthem before the game and the 92 FFA members andsupporters in attendance were recognized. Thanks to all that attendedand showed their support for FFA!

December, the Ag Sales team placed first. As aChapter, they conducted safety presentations to local elementary students. They also visited and played games with residents of LifeQuest. From fruit sales, they raised nearly $20,000 and also donated fruit to local nursing homes in Mitchell. They are now in the full swing of practicing and attending spring CDE’s. The Viborg-Hurley FFA hosted a junior highlock-in in Hurley on January 12 to explain to the younger members the different SAE’s and CDE’s available to them and their importance. We helped host the first annual District 3 Junior High FFA Creed and Parliamentary Procedure CDE’s on January 21. Also, on the 21st of January was the District 3 starinterviews where Lexi Slack received 1st placeDistrict Star in Agribusiness, Seth Engen received 2nd place District Star Farmer, and Dakota Flint received 2nd place District Star Greenhand. The chapter is now starting to prepare for National FFA week activities including: the petting zoo, AgOlympics, and teacher’s breakfast. ~ By Jaclynn Knutson, Sentinel The Rapid City FFA stayed busy helping out with the Black Hills Stock Show animal nursery along with the rest of District 5. At Christmas we donated to a local family who had lost everything in a fire right after Thanksgiving. We hosted National Southern Region Vice President Wiley Bailey during FFA Week. Rapid City FFA members enjoyed breakfast withWiley and the state officers, invited the entire school to listen to Wiley speak, and participated in aworkshop. ~ By Jessica Levey, Reporter

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A. Parliamentary Procedure teams, consisting of seven members per team, demonstrate an FFA business meet-ing. Our state sponsor is South Dakota Farmers Union, and the national level sponsor is TransCanada. The state level team travel scholarship is sponsored by Monte and Ruth Mason and Brett and Tracy Kaltvedt. The team results are as follows: 1. GOLD Lennox-Sundstrom 2. SILVER Highmore 3. SILVER Harrisburg 4. BRONZE McCook Central 5. BRONZE Milbank

B. The All-State Parliamentary Procedure Team is comprised of the top individual officer from each posi-tion. These competitors are the best-of-the-best in their respective position. This area is sponsored by Skinner Financial Services. Those selected are: President: Gretchen Rops, Lennox-Sundstrom Vice President: Julianna Albrecht, De Smet Secretary: Hayden Houdek, Highmore Treasurer: Jordan Wittrock, Lennox-Sundstrom Reporter: Victoria Krempges, McCook Central Sentinel: Emily Heumiller, McCook Central Student Advisor: Macy Moir, Harrisburg

C. In Prepared Public Speaking, each contestant presents a 6-8 minute agriculture-oriented speech and answers five minutes of related questions. The event sponsor and travel scholarship are provided by Cargill, Inc. The national level sponsor is Monsanto. The results were: 1. GOLD Becca Lythgoe, Tri-Valley 2. GOLD Lexi Slack, Viborg-Hurley 3. SILVER Gretchen Rops, Lennox-Sundstrom 4. SILVER Audrey Souza, Milbank 5. SILVER Kaley Nolz, Mitchell 6. BRONZE Colin Geppert, Kimball 7. BRONZE Cooper Eliason, Howard 8. BRONZE Allison Wicks, Willow Lake

SD FFA Recognizes Top Leaders at State Leadership Career Development EventsPIERRE, S.D. — The South Dakota FFA Association hosted 446 FFA members from across South Dakota at the 2012 State FFA Leadership Career Development Events on Dec. 2-3 in Pierre, S.D. These FFA members advanced to the state level competition by placing first or second at their district competitions. At the State Leadership Career Development Events, members and chapters were recognized for their success in 10 leadership areas. Winning teams and individuals advance to compete in their Career Development Event areas at the National FFA Convention in Louisville, Kentucky next fall. South Dakota State Senate Democratic Leader Jason Frerichs addressed FFA members at the awards luncheon Monday afternoon. Frerichs shared the importance of agriculture and encouraged FFA members to be advocates for the industry.

D. In Extemporaneous Public Speaking, an unre-hearsed 4-6 minute speech is written and presented onsite. Each contestant is allowed only 30 minutes to prepare. Our sponsor is the South Dakota Farm Bureau. The national level sponsor is the American Farm Bureau Federation. Results were as follows: 1. GOLD Katie Loutsch, Milbank 2. GOLD Nathaniel Steinlicht, Milbank 3. SILVER Maria Aguirra, Madison Central 4. SILVER Bailey Zweber, Hoven 5. SILVER Makayla Heisler, Newell 6. BRONZE Chase Wallace, Harrisburg 7. BRONZE Nick Pardy, Howard 8. BRONZE Sheldon Stewart, Chamberlain E. Job Interview challenges FFA members to complete a job application, write a letter of applica-tion, participate in an actual interview and compose a follow-up letter. Our sponsor is the South Dakota Department of Agriculture and the national sponsor is CSX Transportation. The winning person travel scholarship is sponsored by Kindra Gordon and Three Corners Agency, Inc. – Melissa Stearns, Agent. The results were: 1. GOLD Kiera Leddy, Milbank 2. GOLD Rachel Schartz, West Central 3. SILVER Kaden Eisenbraun, Wall 4. SILVER Janelle Paulson, Clark 5. SILVER Makayla Heisler, Newell 6. BRONZE Joellen Gonsoir, Groton 7. BRONZE Jade Maier, Bowdle 8. BRONZE Shaley Lensegrav, Bison

F. Creed Speaking participants recite the FFA Creed and answer questions posed by the judges. This event is sponsored by Craig and Bonnie Dybedahl and Mike Ringgenberg. The national level sponsor is CHS Foundation. The results were: 1. GOLD Jaclynn Knutson, Viborg-Hurley 2. GOLD Johannah Jenson, Arlington 3. SILVER Riley Maier, Bowdle 4. SILVER Logan Hoffman, Bridgewater-Emery 5. SILVER Tia Pawlowski, Miller 6. BRONZE Katie Martel, Florence 7. BRONZE Julia Loudenburg, McCook Central 8. BRONZE Kristen Hoffman, Bowdle

A

A. Senior Parliamentary Procedure 1st Place Team: Lennox. (Front L-R) Autumn Haan, Jordan Wittrock, Samantha Hagedorn; (Back L-R) Ellie Klock, Gretchen Rops, Katelynd Whitehead, Jacob Schneiderman.

B

B. All-State Parliamentary Procedure. (L to R)President — Gretchen Rops, Lennox; Vice President —Julianna Albrecht, DeSmet; Secretary — Hayden Houdek, Highmore; Reporter: Victoria Krempges,McCook; Treasurer — Jordan Wittrock, Lennox;Sentinel — Emily Heumiller, McCook Central; Student Advisor —Macy Moir, Harrisburg.

C

C. Prepared Public Speaking. (L-R) 1st Place: Becca Lythgoe, Tri-Valley; 2nd Place: Lexi Slack, Viborg-Hurley; 3rd Place: Gretchen Rops, Lennox-Sundstrom.

D

D. Extemporaneous Speaking. (L-R) Farm Bureau Representative Bonnie Dybedahl, sponsor; 1st Place: Katie Loutsch, Milbank; 2nd Place: Nathan Steinlicht, Milbank; 3rd Place: Maria Aguirre, Madison Central; Farm Bureau Representative Lowell Mesman, sponsor.

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E. Job Interview. (L-R) 1st Place: Kierra Leddy, Milbank; 2nd place: Rachel Schartz, West Central; 3rd Place: Kaden Eisenbraun, Wall.

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F. Creed Speaking. (L-R) 1st Place: Jaclynn Knutson, Viborg-Hurley; 2nd Place: Johannah Jensen, Arlington; 3rd Place: Riley Maier, Bowdle.

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SD FFA Recognizes Top Leaders at State Leadership Career Development EventsPIERRE, S.D. — The South Dakota FFA Association hosted 446 FFA members from across South Dakota at the 2012 State FFA Leadership Career Development Events on Dec. 2-3 in Pierre, S.D. These FFA members advanced to the state level competition by placing first or second at their district competitions. At the State Leadership Career Development Events, members and chapters were recognized for their success in 10 leadership areas. Winning teams and individuals advance to compete in their Career Development Event areas at the National FFA Convention in Louisville, Kentucky next fall. South Dakota State Senate Democratic Leader Jason Frerichs addressed FFA members at the awards luncheon Monday afternoon. Frerichs shared the importance of agriculture and encouraged FFA members to be advocates for the industry.

D. In Extemporaneous Public Speaking, an unre-hearsed 4-6 minute speech is written and presented onsite. Each contestant is allowed only 30 minutes to prepare. Our sponsor is the South Dakota Farm Bureau. The national level sponsor is the American Farm Bureau Federation. Results were as follows: 1. GOLD Katie Loutsch, Milbank 2. GOLD Nathaniel Steinlicht, Milbank 3. SILVER Maria Aguirra, Madison Central 4. SILVER Bailey Zweber, Hoven 5. SILVER Makayla Heisler, Newell 6. BRONZE Chase Wallace, Harrisburg 7. BRONZE Nick Pardy, Howard 8. BRONZE Sheldon Stewart, Chamberlain E. Job Interview challenges FFA members to complete a job application, write a letter of applica-tion, participate in an actual interview and compose a follow-up letter. Our sponsor is the South Dakota Department of Agriculture and the national sponsor is CSX Transportation. The winning person travel scholarship is sponsored by Kindra Gordon and Three Corners Agency, Inc. – Melissa Stearns, Agent. The results were: 1. GOLD Kiera Leddy, Milbank 2. GOLD Rachel Schartz, West Central 3. SILVER Kaden Eisenbraun, Wall 4. SILVER Janelle Paulson, Clark 5. SILVER Makayla Heisler, Newell 6. BRONZE Joellen Gonsoir, Groton 7. BRONZE Jade Maier, Bowdle 8. BRONZE Shaley Lensegrav, Bison

F. Creed Speaking participants recite the FFA Creed and answer questions posed by the judges. This event is sponsored by Craig and Bonnie Dybedahl and Mike Ringgenberg. The national level sponsor is CHS Foundation. The results were: 1. GOLD Jaclynn Knutson, Viborg-Hurley 2. GOLD Johannah Jenson, Arlington 3. SILVER Riley Maier, Bowdle 4. SILVER Logan Hoffman, Bridgewater-Emery 5. SILVER Tia Pawlowski, Miller 6. BRONZE Katie Martel, Florence 7. BRONZE Julia Loudenburg, McCook Central 8. BRONZE Kristen Hoffman, Bowdle

(Not pictured) In Marketing Plan, teams of students determine a local community need and create a complete strategy for marketing a new agricultural product or com-pany to fill that need. The sponsor is Legend Seeds, Inc., and the state winning team travel scholarship is sponsored by Hurley and Associates. The national level sponsor is Bunge North America and Kerry Ingredients and Flavours. The results are: 1. GOLD Viborg-Hurley 2. SILVER Gettysburg 3. SILVER Bowdle 4. BRONZE Bison 5. BRONZE McCook Central G. In Ag Issues, a team of 3-7 students discuss the pros and cons of a major agricultural issue facing their area. The event is sponsored by South Dakota Farm Bureau Young Farmers and Ranchers, and the state winning team travel scholarship is sponsored by Dakota Risk Management. This event is sponsored nationally by Elanco Animal Health, a Division of Eli Lilly and Company. The results were: 1. GOLD West Central 2. SILVER Howard 3. SILVER Lennox-Sundstrom 4. BRONZE Bowdle 5. BRONZE Milbank

Ag Sales team members work together to develop a strat-egy for selling pre-determined products to specific custom-er scenarios. Participants also practice their individual sales skills by selling an agricultural product to a customer. This event is sponsored by the South Dakota Department of Agriculture. The winning travel scholarship is sponsored by Eastern Farmers Cooperative. The results were:H. Individuals: 1. GOLD Brady Dice, Mitchell 2. GOLD Elise Schweer, Watertown 3. SILVER Austin Etrheim, Garretson 4. SILVER Kate Westphal, Lemmon 5. SILVER Micah DiPippo, Mitchell 6. BRONZE Shanna Swanson, Waubay 7. BRONZE Becca Cipland, Sioux Valley 8. BRONZE Austin Tesch, WatertownI. Teams: 1. GOLD Mitchell 2. SILVER Rapid City 3. SILVER Watertown 4. BRONZE Garretson 5. BRONZE Lemmon

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G. Ag Issues. 1st Place Team: West Central. (Front L-R Taylor Bergeson, Maty Skinner, Sara Waldner, Rachel Schartz. (Back L-R) Dean Knuth, Anthony Lueth, Jared Blume.

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H. Ag Sales — Individuals. (L-R):1st Place: not pictured, Brady Dice, Mitchell; 2nd Place: Elise Schweer, Watertown; 3rd Place: Austin Etrheim, Garretson.

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I. Ag Sales — Teams. 1st Place Team: Mitchell. (L-R) Dylan Senska, Micah DiPippo, Josh DiPippo.

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J. Ag Broadcasting/Journalism. (L-R): 1st Place: Brennan Basset, Sioux Valley; 2nd Place: Kirstyn Fiala, Miller; 3rd place: Leif Bakken, Lemmon.

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K. Junior Conduct of Meeting. 1st Place Team: McCook Central. (Front L-R) Julia Loudenburg, Cara Rabenhorst, Bailey Parmelee, Hunter Rother. (Back L-R) Andrew Streff, Kylar Hansen, Cooper Seamer, Anne Mayrose.

J. In Ag Broadcasting/Journalism, students have 30 minutes to prepare a five-minute agricultural radio newscast and then “air” it. This event is sponsored by Ludens Implement. Results were: 1. GOLD Brennan Basset, Sioux Valley 2. GOLD Kirstyn Fiala, Miller 3. SILVER Leif Bakken, Lemmon 4. SILVER Megan Serr, Bison 5. SILVER Cassi Binger, Hitchcock-Tulare 6. BRONZE Joshua Liester, Garretson 7. BRONZE Bailey Zweber, Hoven 8. BRONZE Cadee Nikolaus, Kimball

K. The Junior Conduct of Meetings event is designed for high school freshmen to present a mock FFA meeting. This event is sponsored by Gary Bachman, Prairie Appraisal Service of Bowdle. The team results were: 1. GOLD McCook Central 2. SILVER Highmore 3. SILVER Willow Lake 4. BRONZE Lennox-Sundstrom 5. BRONZE Viborg-Hurley

The Hunger Games: District Officer EditionBy Ashley Tonak, State Secretary

All 48 District Officers survived the 2013 District Officer Games, modeled after the hit movie The Hunger Games. District Officer Training (DOT) provided the officers with the skills needed to offer leadership and set a positive example for the members of their districts. DOT kicked off on January 23rd in Pierre and concluded the next day at noon. From strengthening their communication skills to gaining knowledge on how to advocate for agriculture from guest speaker Jamie Crew, district officers worked hard to build strong, effective teams to lead FFA members. The officers also got a chance to expand their knowledge of legislation, Career and Technical Education, and Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources Education. District Officers also participated in roundtable discus-sions ranging from the responsibilities of a legislator to how FFA can help you excel in your future career. Roundtable guests included South Dakota legislators Jason Frerichs and Billie Sutton, industry representatives Terry Leonhardt and Nicole Tonak, Public Utili-ties Commissioner Chris Nelson, Secretary of Agriculture Walt Bones, Division of Curricu-lum, Career and Technical Education Team Leader Tiffany Sanderson, and Collegiate FFA members Kiley Kaufmann and Megan DeRouchey. Throughout the two-day experience, the district officers had the opportunity to visit with legislators over breakfast. With 150 in attendance, the 2013 Legislative Breakfast offered FFA members the opportunities to discuss the current issues facing agriculture along with shar-ing their passion for the organization. The event’s guest speaker, Dr. Dustin Oedekoven, State Veterinarian and Executive Secretary for the SD Animal Industry Board, shared his story on the importance of agriculture education.

District Officer Training and Legislative Breakfast provided our district officers the opportunity to step up and be leaders in the coming year. Thank you to our sponsors for providing this opportunity: South Dakota Wheat Commission, South Dakota Farm Bureau, South Dakota Bankers Association, Thunder Road, South Dakota Association of Cooperatives, South Dakota Crop Improvement Association, South Dakota Association of Agriculture Educators, South Dakota Farmers Union, Citibank, South Dakota Soybean Processors, LLC, and our Star Partners: Northland Ford, East River Electric Cooperative, South Dakota Soybean Research and Promotion Council, South Dakota Wheat Growers As-sociation, ADM Grain of Tulare, Butler Machinery Company, Wilbur-Ellis, Monsanto, CHS Foundation, Farm Credit Services of America, RDO Equipment Company, C & B Operations, North Central Farmers Elevator and DuPont Pioneer, all as a special project of the South Dakota FFA Foundation.

Growth: FFA Week StyleBy Taylor Leonhardt, State President On February 16- 23rd the National FFA Organization and South Dakota FFA Association celebrated FFA week with a need to “Grow.” This year, the South Dakota FFA Association had the privilege of host-ing the National FFA Southern Region Vice President, Wiley Bailey, as he traveled across South Dakota. Wiley, the State Officers, and Mrs. Nelson, the State Executive Secretary, traveled to six chapters, Pierre, and South Dakota State University. Here’s a recap of the week:

1. Harding County

We started the week in Harding County visiting two country schools to share agriculture with kindergarten through 7thgraders. We got to know FFA members over lunch, visited local businesses that support the FFA, and ended with an all-schoolassembly and Ag Olympics. Wiley shared his talent as a banjo player and spoke to students about the opportunities available to them through Ag, Food and Natural Resources Education and FFA.

2. Rapid City

After breakfast with chapter members, Wiley shared a message about serving others with the students of Rapid City Stevens High School. Mrs. Donovan’s ag students joined us for a workshop where Wiley helped students create an action plan focused on his message.

Our week would nothave been completewithout a trip toMount Rushmore!

3. Mount Rushmore

On Wednesday morning we joined Milbank FFA parents, supporters, and members for breakfast. After breakfast, Wiley shared his message of serving others with the entire middle school and high school. We stopped at Valley Queen Cheese and SchunemanEquipment, FFA sponsors, before heading down the road again.

6. Webster

The state officers and Wiley joined Webster FFA membersin a thrilling game of wheelchair basketball against theWebster teachers. At half-time, Wiley talked about teamwork and once again wowed the crowd with his banjo playing skills.

7. Florence

This small town is home to several hardworking FFA members. They hosted a community banquet and Wiley spoke about the meaning of hard work and what it takes to experience success.

8. Willow Lake

The state officers and Wiley worked alongside 34 Willow Lake FFA members and the local Lions Club to package 34,000meals for Kids Against Hunger. In a little over three hours,we completed set up, packaging, and clean up! What a great demonstration of service!

9. SDSU Collegiate FFA We spent the evening catching up with Collegiate FFA members and seeing how they have continued their FFA careers after high school.

5. Milbank

4. Pierre

After a quick trip to Mt. Rushmore we headed off to Pierreto visit with SD Secretary of Agriculture Walt Bones. We had agreat conversation and Wiley, who is an Alabama native,enjoyed learning about South Dakota’s number one industry.

After nearly 1,800 miles FFA week has come to a close, but the messages and lessons learned in growth and service will never be forgotten. Wiley had an experience of a life-time driving from one side of the state to the other and back again. FFA week might be over, but South Dakota

FFA members will never be done “Growing!”

Thank you to our sponsors that made this trip possible: Pfizer/Animal Health International & Team Ag Ed Star Partners:Northland Ford (Distinguished Star), Monsanto (Five Star) DuPont/Pioneer (Five Star) and North Central Farmers Elevator (Three Star).

10

Thank You to our SD FFA Foundation Sponsors(July 1, 2012 - March 1, 2013)

Diamond DuPont Pioneer($20,000 +) Monsanto Northland Ford

Platinum North Central Farmers Elevator($10,000 - $19,000)

Gold ADM Benson Quinn($5,000 - $9,999) Farm Credit Services of America SD Crop Improvement Association SD Soybean R&P Council

Ruby Butler Machinery Company($2,500 - $4,999) C & B Operations East River Electric Cooperative Jerry’s Auto Sales RDO Equipment Co. Wilbur-Ellis

Pearl Animal Health International($1,000 - $2,499) Dakotaland Feeds, Inc. Craig & Bonnie Dybedahl FMC Agricultural Products Group M&H Land & Cattle, JP & Holly Heber Minntex Dr. Lon Moeller SD Wheat Commission Jason & Jaci VanDen Top Marvin Wastell Chad & Rhonda Wosje

Silver Associated Milk Producers, Inc.($500 - $999) Gary Bachman Basin Electric Power Cooperative Cammack Ranch Supply, Inc. Cargill, Inc. Gro Master, Inc. Gylling Data Management, Inc. In Memory of Loren Catchpole by Cleo Catchpole In Memory of Don Enger by Enger Farms Sheri & Dan Kahnke Knutson Suffolks Legend Seeds, Inc. Terry & Cindy Leonhardt Ludens Inc. Pandy Rezac Schuneman Equipment Co. SD Deptartment of Agriculture SD Division of the Midwest Dairy Assn.

SD Farm Bureau Financial Services/FBL Financial Group SD Farmers Union Sioux Falls Ford Sioux Nation Ag Centers of SD Sioux Valley Energy Skinner Financial Services, Jeff & Lori Skinner The Dan Streff Family Tri-State Livestock News Tri-State Neighbor Jeff & Beth Vander Wal Wells Fargo Bank South Dakota WNAX Radio

Foundation Feature

“As farmers and ranchers, we’ve raised pretty much everything. Except our voices.” That quote from U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance states the challenge. Agriculture education and FFA are meeting that challenge - encouraging conversations about the im-portance of today’s agriculture and educating youth on how to answer questions about how we raise our food. Join the SD FFA Foundation is empowering the next generation of agriculture leadership in America.... as a sponsor, parent, and friend of agriculture, here’s how to find out what FFA in South Dakota is all about…

1. Sign up for our monthly e-newsletter at www.sdffafoundation.org

2. Visit the SD FFA website regularly at AgEd.sdstate.edu

3. Like South Dakota FFA on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SouthDakotaFFAFoundation

4. Contact gerri@sdffafoundation.org to help judge an event

5. Come to South Dakota’s State FFA Convention in Brookings — April 14-16!

At Convention you can meet the young people that make up the South Dakota FFA. See them grow — through fourteen Career Development Events and agricultural leadership workshops. Experience theexcitement of the State Proficiency Award Ceremony and State Stars Pageant. Cheer on FFA members receiving their State FFA Degrees. Raise your voice and invest in FFA — the future of agriculture!

believe in theFUTURE of AgricultureI

UPCOMING EVENTSApril 14-16 State FFA Convention, Brookings

April 30-May 2 National Land/Range Judging Oklahoma City

May 1 American Degree Applications Due

May 15 Leonard DeBoer Advisor Tribute Leadership Retreat Scholarships Due June 4-6 SD Range Camp, Sturgis

July 9-12 West River FFA Leadership Retreat Camp Bob Marshall — Custer

July 16-18 East River Leadership Retreat Swan Lake — Viborg

July 17 FFA Day with the Twins Minneapolis

NON-PROFIT ORG.U.S. POSTAGE

PAIDBATH, SD

Permit No. 2

SOUTH DAKOTA FFA FOUNDATION, Inc.39393 133rd St.Bath, SD 57427

Address Service Requested

www.ncfe.coop

Working together, we grow tomorrow’s leaders.We are proud to support FFA, agriculture and our communities.