In Prepared Public Speaking, each contestant presents a 6–8-minute agriculture-oriented speech and answers five minutes of related questions. Lennox Sundstrom’s Kathryn Loewe won the event, qualifying her for Nationals. She is pictured beside.
On December 5, 2022, nearly 600 FFA members from across South Dakota met in Pierre for the State FFA Leadership Development Events (LDEs). Students qualified through district competitions, advancing the top two teams and top three individuals from each of the seven FFA districts in South Dakota. While waiting for competitive events, students had the opportunity to interact with agriculture industry leaders, who are SD FFA Star Partners, at the Career Carnival. Additionally, a representative from Pioneer-Corteva presented two workshops, which engaged members in discussion on future educational and career opportunities as well as identifying needed leadership qualities in the workforce. FFA members and chapters were recognized for their success in 11 leadership areas at the awards banquet. The banquet was sponsored by SD Midwest Dairy Association, BioZyme, and SD FFA Star Partners: CHS Foundation, Agtegra, Bayer, BankWest, Butler Machinery Company, Corteva/Pioneer, The First National Bank of Sioux Falls, Farmers Mutual of Nebraska, Farm Credit Services of America,
Northland Ford, Titan International, SD Corn Utilization Council, Dacotah Bank, and ADM Grain of Harrold, Miller, Tulare. State-winning teams and individuals highlighted below, now advance to the National FFA Leadership Development Events in Indianapolis next fall.
Parliamentary Procedure teams, consisting of six members per team, demonstrate an FFA business meeting. The sponsor is South Dakota Farmers Union. The travel scholarship is sponsored by South Dakota Farmers Union, Monte and Ruth Mason, Brett and Tracy Kaltvedt, Jordan and Ashley Wiesen and the Dan and Nicole Tonak family. The team results are as follows: 1. Scotland, 2. Willow Lake, 3. Lennox Sundstrom, 4. Belle Fourche, 5. Harrisburg
The All-State Parliamentary Procedure Team is comprised of the top individual officer from each position in the Parliamentary Procedure CDE. These competitors are the best-of-the-best in their respective position. These awards are sponsored by Skinner Financial Services. Those selected are Chair: Patience Starwalt, Scotland; Members At-Large: Katelyn Rempfer, Scotland, Katelyn Jonas, Scotland, Karin Sweeter, Lennox-Sundstrom, Nora Terhark, Willow Lake, Tori Devorak, Scotland.
In Prepared Public Speaking, each contestant presents a 6–8-minute agriculture-oriented speech and answers five minutes of related questions. The event is sponsored by Ag PhD. The travel scholarship is sponsored by Ag PhD and Central States Fair/Black Hills Stock Show. The results were 1. Kathryn Loewe, Lennox-Sundstrom, 2. Evelyn Ernst, Selby Area, 3. Remington Jacobsen, Tea Area, 4. Taya Chelmo, Kimball, 5. Drew Pederson, Garretson, 6. Bailey Feistner, Sanborn Central/Woonsocket, 7. Nick Kappenman, Madison Central, 8. Allie Westra, Beresford
In Extemporaneous Public Speaking, an unrehearsed 4–6-minute speech is written and presented onsite.
Each contestant is allowed only 30 minutes to prepare. The event is sponsored by South Dakota Farmers Union. The travel scholarship is sponsored by South Dakota Farmers Union and Crazy Lady Consulting. Results were as follows 1.Bennett Gordon, Sturgis, 2. Sydney Lockhart, Hot Springs, 3. Harlee Nielson, Hitchcock-Tulare, 4. Elana Andrews, Beresford, 5. Preston Rounds, Deuel, 6. Gretta Larson, Lake Preston, 7. Emily Knodel, Freeman, 8. Gage Anderson, Lemmon
Employment Interview Skills challenges FFA members to complete a job application, write a letter of application and resume, participate in an actual interview and compose a follow-up letter. Our sponsor is the South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources. The travel scholarship is sponsored by Kindra Gordon, Sadie Vander Wal and the Lance Howe Family. The results were 1. Bennett Gordon, Sturgis, 2. Morgan Mackaben, Belle Fourche, 3. Faith Genzlinger, Howard, 4. Mya Dissing, Tri-Valley, 5. Sheridan Deering, Wall, 6. Emily Robbins, Elkton, 7. Ashton Massey, Menno, 8. Drew Pederson, Garretson
Ag Sales team members work together to develop a strategy for selling pre-determined products to specific customer scenarios. Participants also practice their individual sales skills by selling an agricultural product to a customer. This event is sponsored by Wilbur Ellis. The champion team travel scholarship is sponsored by Wilbur Ellis, Dacotah Diamond Auctions and Equipment, Hoegemeyer Hybrids, YieldPro Ag, Bobbie Jo Donovan, and Kevin and Amber Blagg. The team results were: 1. Tri-Valley, 2. McCook Central, 3. Brookings, 4. Sunshine Bible Academy, 5. Parker
Ag Sales top individual sellers were also selected from each presentation room and is sponsored by Sorum Farms. The top individual sellers were Ireland McAreavey, Tri-Valley and Johnathon Shock, McCook Central
The Conduct of Chapter Meetings event is designed for high school freshmen to present a mock FFA meeting. This event is sponsored by Gary Bachman. The state travel scholarship is sponsored by Gary Bachman, YieldPro Ag, and the Dan & Nicole Tonak family. The team results are as follows: 1. McCook Central, 2. Willow Lake, 3. Deubrook, 4. Harrisburg, 5. Belle Fourche
Creed Speaking participants recite the FFA Creed and answer questions posed by the judges. This event and travel scholarship is sponsored by YieldPro Ag and Craig and Bonnie Dybedahl. The results were 1. Zetta Kuhl, Hot Springs, 2. Vivian Johnson, Madison Central, 3. Julia Tinker, Brandon Valley , 4. Gracie Pedersen, Tri-Valley, 5. Jessica Hadrick, Faulkton, 6. Bobbi Eide, Gettysburg, 7. Hope Baysinger, Mitchell, 8.Ellie Storm, Sturgis
In Marketing Plan, teams of students determine a local community need and create a complete strategy for marketing a new agricultural product or company to fill that need. The sponsor is Legend Seeds, Inc., and the state winning team travel scholarship is sponsored by Hurley and Associates and YieldPro Ag. The team results are as follows: 1. West Central, 2. Howard, 3. Doland, 4. Hot Springs, 5. Lemmon
In Ag Issues, a team of 3-7 students discuss the pros and cons of a major agricultural issue facing their area. This event is sponsored by South Dakota Farmers Union. The state winning team travel scholarship is sponsored by South Dakota Farmers Union and Central States Fair/Black Hills Stock Show. The team results are as follows: 1. Rapid City Stevens, 2. West Central, 3. Howard, 4. Parker, 5. Beresford
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 Inc. Results were: 1. Rebecca Feldhaus, Howard, 2. Katelynn Scherff, Dell Rapids, 3. Caroline Witte, Wessington Springs, 4. Quynn Nielson, Sioux Valley, 5. Dan Soukup, Wagner, 6. Ashlynn Lamp, Milbank, 7. Keaton Fielder, Selby Area, 8. Ember Gabriel, Phillip
In Ag Communications, teams will play the role of communications consultants and will develop a media plan for an assigned scenario. The scenario will identify a client with communications need and a budget. This event is sponsored by the SD Broadcasters Association and Farm Progress/ Dakota Farmer. The travel scholarship is sponsored by Farm Progress/Dakota Farmer and Dakota Farm Talk. The team results are as follows: 1. Advisor Linda Peterson, Shayne Luzmoor, Allison Brost, Sydney Neel, and Lexi Nichols, 2. Colome, 3. McCook Central, 4. Deubrook, 5. Lemmon
The South Dakota FFA consists of over 109 FFA chapters with over 5,500 FFA members. The SD FFA Leadership Development Events are a special project of the SD FFA Foundation. FFA makes a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth, and career success through agricultural education. Visit http://www.sdffafoundation.org/ for more information, and/or follow them on Facebook (South Dakota FFA Foundation and South Dakota FFA Association).