For Immediate Release
Contact: Michelle Nelson, SD FFA
State Executive Secretary
(605) 688-4380
Michelle.Nelson@sdstate.edu
**High resolution photos available at:
http://aged.sdstate.edu/SDFFA_home_files/communications.html
South Dakota FFA Stars Awarded for Outstanding Projects
BROOKINGS, S.D. – Five South Dakota FFA members were awarded with the South Dakota FFA Association
Star Awards for project excellence at the 85 th South Dakota State FFA Convention in Brookings, S.D., on April
14-16, 2013.
The South Dakota FFA Star Awards recognize FFA members who have demonstrated exemplary work in their
Supervised Agricultural Experience (internship) programs. Through their Supervised Agricultural
Experience, these FFA members have mastered skills in agriculture production, finance, management and
research.
After an extensive review of their Supervised Agricultural Experience program and records, 20 FFA members
were selected as South Dakota’s finalists for State Star Farmer, Star in Agribusiness, Star in Ag Placement, Star
in Agriscience and Star Greenhand. The finalists also discussed their projects in an oral interview with a panel
of industry judges. The results are as follows:
State Star Farmer (sponsored by Farm Credit Services of America): Jake Krohmer, Wessington Springs
Finalists: Audrey Souza, Milbank; Preston Hansmeier, Webster; Johannes Gimbel, Miller
Star Farmer Finalists – Photo Caption (Left to Right): Krista Hofer, representative of Farm Credit Services of
America; Jake Krohmer, Wessington Springs; Audrey Souza, Milbank; Johannes Gimbel, Miller; Preston
Hansmeier, Webster.
Star Farmer – Photo Caption (Left to Right): Krista Hofer, representative of Farm Credit Services of America;
Jake Krohmer, Wessington Springs; parents Jan and Fred Krohmer; and advisor Craig Shryock.
Star in Agribusiness (sponsored by Farm Credit Services of America): Brandon Reif, McCook Central
Finalists: Lexi Slack, Viborg Hurley; Chad Buse, Lennox-Sundstrom; Samantha Rothschadl, Viborg-Hurley
Star in Agribusiness Finalists – Photo Caption (Left to Right): Brian Bye, representative of Farm Credit Services
of America; Brandon Reif, McCook Central; Chad Buse, Lennox-Sundstrom; Samantha Rothschadl, Viborg-Hurley;
Lexi Slack, Viborg-Hurley.
Star in Agribusiness – Photo Caption (Left to Right): Brian Bye, representative of Farm Credit Services of
America; Brandon Reif, McCook Central; parents Sharon and Scott Reif; and advisor Terry Rieckman.
Star in Ag Placement (sponsored by the Dan Streff Family): Evan Donahue, Howard
Finalists: Levi Olinger, Wessington Springs; Jean Skoglund, McCook Central; Cole Potter, Howard
Star in Ag Placement Finalists – Photo Caption (Left to Right): Dan and Karen Streff; Cole Potter, Howard; Evan
Donahue, Howard; Jean Skoglund, McCook Central; Levi Olinger, Wessington Springs.
Star in Ag Placement – Photo Caption (Left to Right): Dan and Karen Streff; Evan Donahue, Howard; parents
Brenda and Bernard Donahue; and advisor Charlene Weber.
Star in Agriscience (sponsored by Verity Farms): Gretchen Rops, Lennox-Sundstrom
Finalists: Liz Renner, West Central; Beau Wensing, Florence; Allison Dockter, Wilmot
Star in Agriscience Finalists – Photo Caption (Left to Right): Aaron Mach, representative of Verity Farms;
Gretchen Rops, Lennox-Sundstrom; Liz Renner, West Central; Beau Wensing, Florence; Allison Dockter, Wilmot.
Star in Agriscience – Photo Caption (Left to Right): Aaron Mach, representative of Verity Farms; Gretchen Rops,
Lennox-Sundstrom; parents Kristi and Brad Rops; and advisor Jim Wilson.
Star Greenhand (sponsored by Central Farmers Cooperative): Jonathon Linke, Woonsocket
Finalists: Adam Eichacker, McCook Central; Kate Westphal, Lemmon; Rachel Schartz, West Central
Star Greenhand Finalists – Photo Caption (Left to Right): Don Jacobson, representative of Central Farmers
Cooperative; Jonathon Linke, Woonsocket; Adam Eichacker, McCook Central; Rachel Schartz, West Central. Not
pictured: Kate Westphal, Lemmon.
Star Greenhand – Photo Caption (Left to Right): advisor Shane Gross; Jonathon Linke, Woonsocket; parents
Paula and Henry Linke; Don Jacobson, representative of Central Farmers Cooperative.
About the South Dakota FFA Association
The National FFA Organization is a national youth organization of 557,318 student members as part of 7,498
local FFA chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. As part of the National FFA
Organization, the South Dakota FFA Association encompasses 77 FFA chapters with over 3,900 South Dakota
FFA members. FFA strives to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential
for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education. To discover more
about the South Dakota FFA Association or the South Dakota FFA Foundation, visit them both at
www.aged.sdstate.edu or on Facebook or Twitter.