FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Bailey Hurlbert, SD FFA
FFA Office Secretary
(605) 688-4380
sdsu.sdffa@sdstate.edu
**High resolution photos available at: http://aged.sdstate.edu/SDFFA_home_files/communications.html
South Dakota FFA Proficiency Winners Recognized
BROOKINGS, S.D. – South Dakota FFA members were recognized at the 87th South Dakota State FFA Convention
on April 12-14, 2015, for excellence in developing career-specific skills through their Supervised Agricultural
Experience Proficiency projects.
The FFA Agricultural Proficiency Awards recognize members who have developed their skills and abilities
related to employment, internships, apprenticeships and their future careers at agribusinesses or agriculturerelated organizations. There are 49 Proficiency areas for FFA members to participate in. The results are as
follows:
Agricultural Communications (Entrepreneurship/Placement)
Sponsored Nationally by Bader Rutter & Associates, Red Brand.
State Level Sponsor: Tri-State Neighbor.
1st place: Nicole Roth, McCook Central
2nd place: Kierra Leddy, Milbank
Agricultural Education (Entrepreneurship/Placement)
Sponsored Nationally by The James F. Lincoln Arc Welding Foundation and the Tulsa Welding School.
State Level Sponsor: Dr. Lon Moeller.
1st place: Victoria Krempges, McCook Central
2nd place: Nathan Harmer, Harrisburg
3rd place: Shelby Riggs, Mitchell
Agricultural Mechanics Design & Fabrication (Entrepreneurship/Placement)
Sponsored Nationally by RAM Trucks and Carry-On Trailers.
State Level Sponsor: Cammack Ranch Supply and Union Center.
1st place: Ethan Schallenkamp, McCook Central
2nd place: Tate Ketelhut, Miller
3rd place: Aidyn Feldhaus, Howard
Agricultural Mechanics Energy Systems (Entrepreneurship/Placement)
Sponsored Nationally by The Lincoln Electric Company and Parker.
State Level Sponsors: Scott Supply Co and the University of Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture.
1st place: Patrick Petree, McCook Central
Ag Mechanics Repair & Maintenance (Entrepreneurship)
Sponsored Nationally by Briggs & Stratton Corporation.
State Level Sponsors: Butler Machinery Company and Jesse Larson.
1st place: Mark Streff, McCook Central
2nd place: Elijah Hofer, Hitchcock-Tulare
Ag Mechanics Repair & Maintenance (Placement)
Sponsored Nationally by Universal Technical Institute and Tractor Supply Company.
State Level Sponsor: Butler Machinery.
1st place: Taylor Larson, Howard
2nd place: Nate Krempges, McCook Central
3rd Place: Bo Peterson, McCook Central
Agricultural Processing (Entrepreneurship/Placement)
Sponsored Nationally by CHS and Sealed Air Corporation.
State Level Sponsor: South Dakota Soybean Processors of Volga.
1st place: Alex Toupal, Kimball
2nd place: Clayton Keck, Miller
3rd place: Josh Hidalgo, McCook Central
Agricultural Sales – (Entrepreneurship)
Sponsored Nationally by Crop Production Services and Monsanto.
State Level Sponsor: Legend Seeds, Inc.
1st place: Jordan VanHout, McCook Central
2nd place: Jordan Scheier, McCook Central
Agricultural Sales – (Placement)
Sponsored Nationally by Fastenal and Vigortone Ag Products.
State Level Sponsor: Wilbur-Ellis.
1st place: Braedon Hinker, Huron
2nd place: Ashley Wilson, Brookings
3rd place: Rowdy Hillmer, Harrisburg
Agricultural Services (Entrepreneurship/Placement)
Sponsored Nationally by TransCanada.
State Level Sponsors: Midwest Cooperative and Northern Plains Cooperative.
1st place: Derek Hight, Viborg-Hurley
2nd place: Shane Mueller, Garretson
3rd place: Samantha Peterson, Harrisburg
Agriscience Research – Animal Systems
Sponsored Nationally by the National FFA Foundation.
State Level Sponsor: CHS Foundation.
1st place: Shane Mueller, Garretson
Agriscience Research – Integrated Systems
Sponsored Nationally by the National FFA Foundation.
State Level Sponsor: ADM Benson Quinn.
1st place: Taylor Knudson, Florence
2nd place: Kierra Leddy, Milbank
Agriscience Research – Plant Systems
Sponsored Nationally by Monsanto.
State Level Sponsor: FMC Corporation Agricultural Products Group and Monsanto.
1st place: Kierra Leddy, Milbank
2nd place: Brooke Thorson, Florence
Beef Production (Entrepreneurship)
Sponsored Nationally by Bayer Animal Health and Rabo Agri Finance.
State Level Sponsors: Jensen, Stewart, Odden & Vedvei Charolais; Mike McIntyre, DVM; and the South Dakota
Shorthorn Association.
1st place: Adam Eichacker, McCook Central
2nd place: Hanna Peterson, Howard
3rd place: Brandon Jacobson, Howard
Beef Production (Placement)
Sponsored Nationally by Midwest PMS and Keystone Steel & Wire Company – Red Brand.
State Level Sponsor: South Dakota Cattlemen's Association.
1st place: Haley DeJong, Howard
2nd place: Jacob Smith, Freeman
3rd place: Caleb Wobig, McCook Central
Dairy Production (Entrepreneurship)
Sponsored Nationally by New Holland and DeLaval, LLC.
State Level Sponsor: Associated Milk Producers, Inc.
1st place: Cole Schock, McCook Central
Dairy Production (Placement)
Sponsored Nationally by Kuhn North America and Nasco Division – Nasco International, Inc.
State Level Sponsor: Associated Milk Producers Inc.
1st place: Brandon Stone, McCook Central
2nd place: Shane Mueller, Garretson
3rd place: Kylar Hansen, McCook Central
Diversified Agricultural Production (Entrepreneurship/Placement)
Sponsored Nationally by the National FFA Foundation.
State Level Sponsor: Sioux Nation Ag Centers of South Dakota.
1st place: Jonathan Linke, South Central/ Woonsocket
2nd place: Brock Anderson, McCook Central
3rd place: Cole Schock, McCook Central
Diversified Crop Production (Entrepreneurship)
Sponsored Nationally by CHS.
State Level Sponsor: Cargill, Inc.
1st place: Mark Streff, McCook Central
2nd place: Adam Eichacker, McCook Central
Diversified Crop Production (Placement)
Sponsored Nationally by Crop Production Service and National Crop Insurance Services.
State Level Sponsor: North Central Farmers Elevator.
1st place: Brandon Schwalder, Howard
2nd place: Brock Anderson, McCook Central
3rd place: Amanda Jandl, Harrisburg
Diversified Horticulture (Entrepreneurship/Placement)
Sponsored Nationally by Wilbur-Ellis Company and the Toro Company.
State Level Sponsors: First Premier Bank.
1st place: Cooper Seamer, McCook Central
2nd place: Mark Streff, McCook Central
3rd place: Sydney Gibson, Harrisburg
Diversified Livestock Production (Entrepreneurship/Placement)
Sponsored Nationally by Wahl Clipper Corporation and Tractor Supply Company.
State Level Sponsor: McFleeg Feeds Inc.
1st place: Cole Schock, McCook Central
2nd place: Adam Eichacker, McCook Central
3rd place: Branden Stone, McCook Central
Emerging Agricultural Technology (Entrepreneurship/Placement)
Sponsored Nationally by Ag Leader Technologies and BASF.
State Level Sponsor: Kimball Livestock Exchange.
1st place: Brock Anderson, McCook Central
2nd place: Jaclynn Knutson, Viborg-Hurley
Environmental Science & Natural Resources Management (Entrepreneurship/Placement)
Sponsored Nationally by the Mosaic Company.
State Level Sponsor: South Dakota Association of Conservation Districts.
1st place: Andres Streff, McCook Central
Equine Science (Entrepreneurship)
Sponsored Nationally by Purina Animal Nutrition and Keystone Steel & Wire Company – Red Brand.
State Level Sponsor: Amani Arabians – Tim Anderson and Kim Niven.
1st place: Hunter Rother, McCook Central
2nd place: Sawyer Strand, Harrisburg
3rd place: Mikiah Zomer, Harrisburg
Equine Science (Placement)
Sponsored Nationally by Tractor Supply Company.
State Level Sponsors: Scott Cammack, Dawn Nagel, Susan Stoterau, Roger DeRouchey and the Webster FFA
chapter.
1st place: Shelby Strand, Harrisburg
2nd place: Jordan Wittrock, Lennox
3rd place: Cara Rabenhorst, McCook Central
Fiber and/or Oil Crop Production (Entrepreneurship/Placement)
Sponsored Nationally by Bunge North America Bunge: Planters and Miracle Whip
State Level Sponsor: South Dakota Soybean Research and Promotion Council.
1st place: Andrew Streff, McCook Central
2nd place: Mark Streff, McCook Central
3rd place: Adam Eichacker, McCook Central
Food Science and Technology (Entrepreneurship/Placement)
Sponsored Nationally by Pilgrim’s.
State Level Sponsors: Candidus and Londa (Vanderwal) Nwadike and Valley Queen Cheese Factory, Inc.
1st place: Isabelle Becker, Howard
2nd place: Nicole Shultz, Howard
3rd place: Josh Hidalgo, McCook Central
Forage Production (Entrepreneurship/Placement)
Sponsored Nationally by Claad of America
State Level Sponsor: Kuecker Seed Farm, Inc. of Webster.
1st place: Tristan Ashdown- Highmore
2nd place: Cole Schock, McCook Central
3rd place: Alex Aman, Bowdle
Forest Management and Products (Entrepreneurship/Placement)
Sponsored Nationally by John Deere and Ram Trucks.
State Level Sponsor: Harrisburg FFA Chapter.
1st place: Adonis Ruml, Howard
2nd place: Jordan Michlitsch, Hitchcock
Fruit Production (Entrepreneurship/Placement)
Sponsored Nationally by DuPont Company.
State Level Sponsor: MinnTex of Windom, MN.
1st place: Sydney Hirschkorn, Harrisburg
2nd place: Andrew Streff, McCook Central
3rd Place: Mark Streff, McCook Central
Goat Production (Entrepreneurship/Placement)
Sponsored Nationally by Tractor Supply Company.
State Level Sponsor: Hamilton Farms of Hitchcock, SD
1st place: Michaela Jackobsen, Howard
2nd place: Hanna Peterson, Howard
3rd place: Allison Schallenkamp, McCook Central
Grain Production (Entrepreneurship)
Sponsored Nationally by CF Industries Inc and Valent USA Corporation.
State Level Sponsor: South Dakota Wheat Commission.
1st place: Andrew Streff, McCook Central
2nd place: Adam Eichacker, McCook Central
Grain Production (Placement)
Sponsored Nationally by CF Industries Inc.
State Level Sponsor: McCook Central FFA Chapter.
1st place: Amanda Handl, Harrisburg
2nd place: Brock Anderson, McCook Central
3rd place: Mark Streff, McCook Central
Home and/or Community Development (Entrepreneurship/Placement)
Sponsored Nationally by Carhartt.
State Level Sponsor: 1974-1975 Officer team in memory of Galen Keller
1st place: Anna McAllister, Harrisburg
2nd place: Anne Mayrose, McCook Central
3rd place: Jordanne Howe, Redfield
Landscape Management (Entrepreneurship/Placement)
Sponsored Nationally by John Deere and Tractor Supply Company.
State Level Sponsor: South Dakota Wheat Growers.
1st place: Julia Loudenburg, McCook Central
2nd place: Patrick Reiter, Florence
Nursery Operations (Entrepreneurship/Placement)
Sponsored Nationally by RAM Trucks.
State Level Sponsor: Twin Cities Region Northland Ford Dealers.
1st place: Sydney Gibson, Harrisburg
2nd place: Brooke Gortmaker, McCook Central
Outdoor Recreation (Entrepreneurship/Placement)
Sponsored Nationally by Yamaha Motor Corporation USA.
State Level Sponsors: Jack’s Campers, Nedved Guide Service, Central Dakota Guide Service and the South Dakota
Walleye Charters
1st place: Nathan Harmer, Harrisburg
2nd place: Kendra Nothdurft, McCook Central
Poultry Production (Entrepreneurship/Placement)
Sponsored Nationally by Tyson Foods, Inc. and Tractor Supply Company.
State Level Sponsors: Mr. Josh Johnson and Runnings of Pierre.
1st place: Jesse Muth, McCook Central
2nd place: Shane Mueller, Garretson
3rd place: Alex Toupal, Kimball
Sheep Production (Entrepreneurship/Placement)
Sponsored Nationally by National FFA Foundation
State Level Sponsor: Newell Ram Sale.
1st place: Shane Mueller, Garretson
2nd place: Michaela Jacobsen, Howard
3rd place: Carolyn Koepsell, Howard
Small Animal Production and Care (Entrepreneurship/Placement)
Sponsored Nationally by Tractor Supply Company and Ainsworth Pet Nutrition
State Level Sponsors: Robert Rennoloet, Mike McIntyre, D.V.M. and the SD Veterinary Medical Association.
1st place: Alyssa Becker, Lennox
2nd place: Karlie Westall, Harrisburg
3rd place: Allison Schallenkamp, McCook Central
Specialty Animal Production (Entrepreneurship/Placement)
Sponsored Nationally by the National FFA Foundation.
State Level Sponsor: R&R Pheasant Hunting.
1st place: Allison Schallenkamp, McCook Central
2nd place: Alyssa Becker, Lennox
3rd place: Cassie Schultz, Hitchcock-Tulare
Specialty Crop Production (Entrepreneurship/Placement)
Sponsored Nationally by C.F. Industries, Inc.
State Level Sponsors: Hansmeier & Son, Inc. of Bristol and Howe Seeds of McLaughlin.
1st place: Bo Peterson, McCook Central
2nd place: Elijah Flood, McCook Central
3rd place: Taren Odegaard, Lake Peterson
Swine Production (Entrepreneurship)
Sponsored Nationally by Tyson Foods, Inc. and LA-Co Markal.
State Level Sponsor: South Dakota Pork Producers Council.
1st place: John Eilertson, Rutland
2nd place: Karley Litterick Howard
3rd place: Landon Garzke, Hitchock - Tulare
Swine Production (Placement)
Sponsored Nationally by Akey
State Level Sponsors: Murphy Farms, LLC; Gro Master; Lester Moeller, Kevin & Sandy Ortberg and Wally & Kathy
Knock.
1st place: Cole Lauck, McCook Central
2nd place: Bo Peterson, McCook Central
3rd place: Ethan Schallenkamp, McCook Central
Turf Grass Management (Entrepreneurship/Placement)
Sponsored Nationally by John Deere.
State Level Sponsor: Croplan by Winfield.
1st place: Brandon Jacobson, Howard
2nd place: Kurt Mentel, McCook Central
3rd place: Ben Ostebee, Harrisburg
Vegetable Production (Entrepreneurship/Placement)
Sponsored Nationally by Wilbur-Ellis Company and Tractor Supply Company.
State Level Sponsor: In Memory of Bill and Stella Hanson.
1st place: Dani Forster, McCook Central
2nd place: Mark Streff, McCook Central
3rd place: Alexandra (Lexy) Gimbel, Miller
Veterinary Science (Entrepreneurship/Placement)
Sponsored Nationally by SD Veterinary Medical Association
State Level Sponsor: Mike McIntyre, DVM of Winfred, SD.
1st place: Kristina Laska, Centerville
2nd place: Megan Rawstern, Huron
Wildlife Production and Management (Entrepreneurship/Placement)
Sponsored Nationally by National FFA Foundation.
State Level Sponsor: Craig and Maure Weinkauf: in memory of Arthur J. Weinkauf.
1st place: Tim Gassman, McCook Central
2nd place: Hannah Noonan, Howard
3rd place: Kendall Gasman, McCook Central
About the South Dakota FFA Association
The National FFA Organization is a national youth organization of 579, 678 student members as part of 7,570
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 81 FFA chapters with nearly 4,000 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 http://aged.sdstate.edu
or on Facebook or Twitter.