Apr. 25—BROOKINGS — Two hundred seventy-five FFA members showcased their research in the SD FFA Agriscience Fair on April 16 in Hartford, and winners celebrated.
Research SAEs offer a deep dive into the scientific aspects of agriculture. These projects include meticulous investigation of materials, processes, and information, either to generate new knowledge or validate existing research. Agriscience Research SAEs can be experimental, analytical, or inventive research, offering a broad spectrum of inquiry. Through these projects, students are encouraged to 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 and Natural Resource Systems; Food Products and Processing Systems; Plant Systems; Power, Structural and Technology Systems and Social Systems. Projects involve extensive research as well as submitting a written report that includes information on previous studies related to the topic, their research and findings.
Students can compete in the AgriScience Fair as an individual or with a team in separate 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
The Chilson Sweepstakes award, presented to an 11th or 12th grade FFA member who demonstrates exceptional achievement in agriscience in any category, went to Madison Lauck, McCook Central. Selection is based on innovative thinking, sustained involvement in agriscience over multiple years, extensive research into agriscience-related challenges, a strong agriscience application, and an interview highlighting the student’s understanding of his/her project and key takeaways.
The top projects in each division will advance for a chance to compete at the National FFA Agriscience Fair at the National Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana this fall. The winners are as follows:
The study of animal systems, including life processes, health, nutrition, genetics, management and processing, through the study of small animals, aquaculture, livestock, dairy, horses, and/or poultry.
Division 1, sponsored Dakota Hills Veterinary Clinic, Eichacker Simmentals and Salem Veterinary Service:
1st — Aaliyah Lennon (Belle Fourche)
2nd — Rosalie Bergeson (McCook Central)
3rd — Jake Cody (Tri-Valley)
Division 2, sponsored by Dakota Hills Veterinary Clinic, Eichacker Simmentals and Salem Veterinary Service:
1st — Addisyn Schock and Alexis Schock (McCook Central)
2nd — Alexander Gordon and Cody Hanisch (Montrose
Division 3, sponsored by Fall River Feedyard and the Franken Family:
1st — Keaton Zubke (Florence)
2nd — Charlie Cody (Tri-Valley)
3rd — Elizabeth Vogel (Dells)
Division 4, sponsored by Fall River Feedyard and the Franken Family:
1st — Jocelyn Wagner and Rylee Knock (Hitchcock-Tulare)
2nd — Laruen Klitzke and Sophia Sandine (McCook Central)
3rd — Teagan Lupkes and Stella Siemonsma (West Central)
Division 5, sponsored by Dakota Hills Veterinary Clinic, First Bank and Trust, De-Tye Vet Supply Inc. and First Dakota National Bank.
1st — Colton Stiefvater (McCook Central)
2nd — Atlee Olson (Belle Fourche)
Division 6, sponsored by Dakota Hills Veterinary Clinic, First Bank and Trust, De-Tye Vet Supply Inc. and First Dakota National Bank:
1st — Antone Krempges and Jason Wimmer (McCook Central)
2nd — Austin Michaels and Hunter Wagner (West Central)
The study of systems, instruments and technology used in waste management; the study of the management of soil, water, wildlife, forests and air as natural resources and their influence on the environment.
Division 1, sponsored by Ducks Unlimited:
1st — Adeline Miles (McCook Central)
2nd — Peyton Knox (Doland)
3rd — Claire Rowley (Montrose)
Division 2, sponsored by Ducks Unlimited:
1st — Stella Oyen and Joseph VanEmmerick (McCook Central)
2nd — Lane Kayser and Landon Stahl (Bridgewater-Emery)
3rd — Zachary Sechser and Bennett Graff (Montrose)
Division 3, sponsored by Farm Credit Services of America, Pennington County Conservation District and Wilbur-Ellis:
Sponsor: Brain Gottlob, Farm Credit Services of America
1st — Joseph Kayser (Bridgewater-Emery)
2nd — Olivia Knox (Doland)
3rd — Grace Rick (West Central)
Division 4, sponsored by Farm Credit Services of America, Pennington County Conservation District and Wilbur-Ellis:
1st — Brodie Boomsma and Bryxx Bawek (Doland)
2nd — Brooke Johnson and Brinley Hansen (Tri-Valley)
3rd — Sawyer Foster and Bailey Peterson (Tri-Valley)
Division 5, sponsored by ProAg Engineering, Inc.:
1st — Emma Schneider (Doland)
2nd — Katrina Thon (Bridgewater-Emery)
3rd — Dylan Waltman (Garretson)
Division 6, sponsored by ProAg Engineering, Inc.:
1st — Levi Top and Brecken Weir (Garretson)
2nd — Teresa Melius and Alyssa Brick (Northwestern Area)
3rd — Jakob Gnadt and Cole Schleuter (Garretson)
The study of product development, quality assurance, food safety, production, sales and service, regulation and compliance and food service within the food science industry.
Division 1, sponsored by Brian and Codi Mills, SD Retailers Association and Titan International
1st — Taeya Sonnier (McCook Central)
2nd — Iliana Krutsinger (McCook Central)
3rd — Macie Jones (Tri-Valley)
Division 2, sponsored by Brian and Codi Mills, SD Retailers Association, and Titan International:
1st — Alli Foreman and Chanel Mohrhauser (Tri-Valley)
2nd — Kenzie Thompson and Savannah Hagemann (Montrose)
3rd — Derek Durfee and Landon Alley (McCook Central)
Division 3, sponsored by Doland FFA Alumni and SD Retailers Association:
1st — Chesnie Heim (Northwestern Area)
2nd — Ana Byer (Florence)
3rd — Chesnie Anderson (Sisseton)
Division 4, sponsored by Doland FFA Alumni and SD Retailers Association:
1st — Leah Feterl and Khloie Klinkhammer (McCook Central)
2nd — Lily Hilton and Carissa Weber (Bridgewater-Emery)
3rd — Blake Tuschen and Darryn Beck (West Central)
Division 5, sponsored by Jim Chilson, Grain Millers, Inc, McCook Central FFA, and Carl and Kari Sanders
1st — Avery Alley (McCook Central)
2nd — Kenasyn Johnson (West Central)
3rd — Reganne Miles (Doland)
Division 6, sponsored by Jim Chilson, Grain Millers Inc., McCook Central FFA, Carl and Kari Sanders:
1st — Karlee Klinkhammer and Kaylee Klinkhammer (McCook Central)
2nd — Taylor Borgen and Ayla Kramer (West Central)
3rd — Kamryn Schaaf and Seth Lind (West Central)
The study of plant life cycles, classifications, functions, structures, reproduction, media and nutrients, as well as growth and cultural practices, through the study of crops, turf grass, trees and shrubs and/or ornamental plants.
Division 1, sponsored by sponsored by Bayer, Next Level Ag, LLC, SD Corn Utilization Council, and Dan and Sheri Kahnke:
1st — Emerri Gottlob (McCook Central)
2nd — Mya Zantow (Leola)
3rd — Levi Horstman (McCook Central)
Division 2, sponsored by sponsored by Bayer, Next Level Ag, LLC, SD Corn Utilization Council, and Dan and Sheri Kahnke:
1st — Levi Weber and Nicholas Paweltzki (Bridgewater-Emery)
2nd — Jorja Weber and Olivia Havard (McCook Central)
3rd — Paisley Dutcher and Addisyn Moothart (Tri-Valley)
Division 3, sponsored by Central Farmers Cooperative and FREMAR, LLC, and the First National Bank in Sioux Falls:
1st — Ty Boekelheide (Northwestern Area)
2nd — Brecken Halvorson (Northwestern Area)
3rd — Kendall McAreavey (Tri-Valley)
Division 4, sponsored by Central Farmers Cooperative and FREMAR, LLC, and the First National Bank in Sioux Falls:
1st — Jersey Lucas and Erika Caspers (Tri-Valley)
2nd — Joslyn Stahl and Caydence Finch (West Central)
3rd — Gunnar Strunk and Bradyn Pieper (West Central)