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 86th South Dakota State FFA Convention in Brookings, S.D., on April
6-8, 2014.
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, 25 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): Abby Repenning, Mitchell
Finalists: Brandon Jacobson, Howard; Nick Pardy, Howard; Taylor Sinkie, Wessington Springs
Star Farmer Finalists – Photo Caption (Left to Right): Brian Bye, representative of Farm Credit Services of
America; Abby Repenning, Mitchell; Taylor Sinkie, Wessington Springs; Nick Pardy, Howard; Brandon Jacobson,
Howard.
Star Farmer – Photo Caption (Left to Right): Brian Bye, representative of Farm Credit Services of America; Abby
Repenning, Mitchell; Lori and Steven Repenning, parents; Jeff Hoffman, advisor.
Star in Agribusiness (sponsored by Farm Credit Services of America): Derek Hight, Viborg-Hurley
Finalists: Skylar Mix, Arlington; Shane Mueller, Garretson; Benjamin Snyders, McCook Central
Star in Agribusiness Finalists – Photo Caption (Left to Right): Rachel Mehlhaf, representative of Farm Credit
Services of America; Benjamin Snyders, McCook Central; Shane Mueller, Garretson; Derek Hight, Viborg-Hurley;
Skylar Mix, Arlington.
Star in Agribusiness – Photo Caption (Left to Right): Rachel Mehlhaf, representative of Farm Credit Services of
America; Derek Hight, McCook Central; Alice and Gregg Hight, parents; and John Rist, advisor.
Star in Ag Placement (sponsored by the Dan Streff Family): Brandon Schwader, Howard
Finalists: Cooper Eliason, Howard; Andrew Hoffman, Mitchell; Katelynd Whitehead, Lennox-Sundstrom
Star in Ag Placement Finalists – Photo Caption (Left to Right): Brandon Schwader, Howard; Cooper Eliason,
Howard; Katelynd Whitehead, Lennox-Sundstrom; Andrew Hoffman, Mitchell; Ashley Gelderman, representative
of the Dan & Karen Streff family.
Star in Ag Placement – Photo Caption (Left to Right): Charlene Weber, advisor; Joe and Tara Schwader, parents;
Brandon Schwader, Howard; Ashley Gelderman, representative of the Dan & Karen Streff family
Star in Agriscience (sponsored by Verity Farms): Craig Reiter, Florence
Finalists: Halley Becking, Florence; Tyler Bowen, Harrisburg; Emily Kahnke, Florence
Star in Agriscience Finalists – Photo Caption (Left to Right): Terri Malek-Madani, representative of Verity Farms;
Craig Reiter, Florence; Tyler Bowen, Harrisburg; Emily Kahnke, Florence; Halley Becking, Florence.
Star in Agriscience – Photo Caption (Left to Right): Terri Malek-Madani, representative of Verity Farms; Craig
Reiter, Florence; Cheryl and Bob Reiter, parents; and Jim Chilson, advisor.
Star Greenhand (sponsored by Central Farmers Cooperative): Andrew Streff, McCook Central
Finalists: Collin Anson, Wessington Springs; Clayton Keck, Miller; Jaclynn Knutson, Viborg-Hurley
Star Greenhand Finalists – Photo Caption (Left to Right) Andrew Streff, McCook Central; Jaclynn Knutson,
Viborg-Hurley; Clayton Keck, Miller; Collin Anson, Wessington Springs.
Star Greenhand – Photo Caption (Left to Right): Terry Rieckman, McCook Central advisor; Andrew Streff,
McCook Central; Julie and Eugene Streff, parents.
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 79 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.