Editor’s note: This is part one of a two-part series sharing the accomplishments and achievements made by North and South Dakota’s FFA American Stars.

The well-known FFA Creed begins with the line “I believe in the future of agriculture…” And four South Dakota FFA members are helping to ensure that the future is bright through their dedication to numerous agricultural projects.

The quartet were selected as South Dakota FFA’s American Star Award winners at the state’s convention in April and include American Star Farmer Ryan Blagg of Salem, American Star in Agribusiness Elden Blume of Redfield, American Star in Agricultural Placement Natalie Haase of Parker and American Star in Agriscience Kelsey Vockrodt of Hartford.

Their projects involve beef, goat, dairy and poultry production, as well as grain and vegetable farming.

Agriscience

Kelsey Vockrodt, a West Central FFA member who raises crossbred dairy and meat goats with her family, conducted three agriscience projects across three years with a focus on improving goat herd health and production. “I had determination and a passion to find answers,” Vockrodt says of her research.

Her projects included studying feed nutrition level and the impact on pregnant does’ health as well as their offspring’s health, evaluating the effectiveness of commercial de-wormers, and exploring the effectiveness of natural and organic de-wormer products.

Related:Meet your North Dakota FFA Stars

Vockrodt has applied the knowledge from her projects to her family’s goat herd and enjoys sharing her research findings with other goat producers. She also has worked at a local veterinary clinic for almost three years and has set her career goal of becoming a large animal veterinarian.

Vockrodt is attending South Dakota State University to study animal science and plans to continue participating in research projects. She is the daughter of Chuck and Becky Vockrodt.

AGRISCIENCE: Kelsey Vockrodt of Hartford, S.D., is the 2024 South Dakota FFA American Star in Agriscience. From her family’s dairy farm and beyond, research fuels her passion for animal agriculture. She is studying animal science at South Dakota State University. (Photo courtesy of Kelsey Vockrodt)

Farmer

As the American Star Farmer, Ryan Blagg, a McCook FFA member, has been dedicated to raising and marketing registered Simmental cattle and Boer meat goats for the show industry. He also developed a custom bean-rolling business. 

Blagg credits his parents, Kevin and Abby Blagg, and sister Amber for working alongside him, as well as mentors Steve and Cathy Eichacker and Paul and Lindsay Grace for supporting his efforts through sharing knowledge and the use of equipment and facilities.

“They have all taught me a lot, and their examples have given me standards to live by,” he says. Blagg adds that through his projects, he has learned that work ethic, communication and working through challenges are key to success.

Related:FFA leadership winners punch ticket to nationals

Blagg is attending Kansas State University and studying ag economics and marketing, while also working to expand his cattle and goat herds and grow his custom bean-rolling business. “Agriculture has an exciting future, and I look forward to being a part of it,” he says.

STAR FARMER: Ryan Blagg of Salem, S.D., is the 2024 South Dakota FFA American Star Farmer. From his registered Simmental herd, show-quality Boer goats and custom bean-rolling business, his ventures show his dedication to agriculture. Blagg is attending Kansas State University and studying agriculture economics. (Photo courtesy of Ryan Blagg)

Agricultural Placement

Parker FFA member and South Dakota’s American Star in Agricultural Placement Natalie Haase has a similar sentiment, stating, “I want to be a part of the future and see where agriculture is in the next 50 years.”

Haase earned her FFA American Star Award as an employee on her family’s row crop and 600-head dairy farm known as Haase Farms and DaBru Dairy. The operation includes her parents, Dustin and Jessica Haase; Natalie and her two siblings; as well as uncle Bruce Haase, his wife Shelly and their son Lance.

From running equipment and putting up hay to taking care of the cattle, Natalie Haase has gained experience in all aspects of running a modern farm and says she enjoys it all.

Haase also has been involved in dairy cattle showing and judging at the national level and has been an advocate for agriculture through numerous media interviews. She is continuing to work on the family farm while also attending South Dakota State University to study ag business. She is excited about the growth and innovation within agriculture and is eager to “keep improving production with less inputs.”

Related:More than just a successful harvest field day

AGRIBUSINESS: Elden Blume of Redfield, S.D., is the 2024 South Dakota FFA American Star in Agribusiness. Aside from working alongside his family on their row crop operation, he created a niche-food business alongside his mother Kellie called Blume Foods LLC, which includes laying hens; hydroponic lettuce; and growing sweet corn, squash, pumpkins and other vegetables. (Photo courtesy of Elden Blume)

Agribusiness

Redfield FFA member Elden Blume is South Dakota’s FFA American Star in Agribusiness for 2024. He is a fourth-generation farmer, and his parents, Kenneth and Kellie Blume, along with his two older brothers raise corn, soybeans and wheat.

Although Elden assists with those efforts, he and his mom also have created their own niche agribusiness, Blume Foods LLC, with a flock of 300 laying hens; hydroponic lettuce production; and crops of sweet corn, squash, pumpkins and other vegetables. The duo also makes homemade pickles using a 100-year-old family recipe, makes fresh bread, and puts up frozen sweet corn.

Elden is at the helm of marketing these products at four grocery stores, two restaurants and the Watertown Farmers’ Market. “I love fresh and homegrown food and am focused on giving others that same experience,” he says.

He is attending Lake Area Technical College in Watertown to study entrepreneurship and will continue to grow his fresh food business. “I want to keep expanding into grocery stores and restaurants,” Elden says. He and mom Kellie also are constructing a commercial kitchen on their family’s farm to help facilitate future expansion.