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After two years of virtual meetings due to the pandemic, more than 3,000 students took part in activities on the U-M campuses and the state fairgrounds.

May 2, 2022

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Roughly 3,500 students plus their advisors and dozens of parents traveled from across Minnesota to the Twin Cities April 24-26 to attend the 93rd Minnesota State FFA Convention.

Activities for the three-day event with the theme “Thrive” were spread out at the University of Minnesota’s St. Paul and Minneapolis campuses, plus the state fairgrounds.

Highlights of the convention include student networking, attending competitions, receiving awards and learning more about potential careers.

Four ‘Stars’ recognized

Four Minnesota FFA members were named the “Stars Over Minnesota.” The Star awards, sponsored by Compeer Financial, are annually presented to the top individuals from four different Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) project categories. The 2022 State Star award winners are: Star Farmer, Taylor Lacek, Russell-Tyler-Ruthton FFA; Star in Agriculture Sciences, Colton Converse, Staples-Motley FFA; Star in Agribusiness, William Bugbee, Paynesville Area FFA; and Star in Agricultural Production Placement, Kyle Hagen, Glencoe-Silver Lake FFA.

Honorary degree recipients

The Minnesota FFA Association relies on the support of exceptional teachers, individuals and companies to provide life-changing experiences for its members. Individuals who have provided exceptional service on a state level to agriculture, agricultural education or FFA are eligible for the Honorary FFA degree. Additionally, teachers who have created high-quality agricultural education programs which inspire and motivate their students to strive for success are eligible.

Honorary degrees were presented to Patrice Bailey, Charlie Blinn, Ryan Cox, A.J. Duerr, Deron Erickson, Curt Gjerstad, Jamie Gray, Rhoda Halvorson, Eric Hoff, John Huot, Kristin Kovar, Steve and Carolyn Koziolek, Kaleb Kromann, Roger and Rita Matejka, Adam Miller, Chris Ovrebo, Dave Pauling, Daryl and Marilee Peterson, Rex and Malinda Quam, William Ridenour, Tonya Schoenfuss, Kristen Schwarz, Samantha Selness, Jeremy Spitzner, Carol Terry, Michael and Nicolle Thomas, Kris Uter, Dan Wheeler, Gary Wirkus and Curt Yoose.

Proficiency award winners

Plant Systems proficiency winners and their FFA chapters included:

  • Agriscience Research, Integrated Systems. Katelynn Marquardt, Kerkhoven-Murdock-Sunberg, sponsored by Minnesota Grain and Feed Association

  • Agriscience Research, Plant Proficiency. George Cinader, the Academy for Sciences and Agriculture, sponsored by the Minnesota Soybean Research and Promotion Council

  • Diversified Agricultural Production. Adam Hicks, Tracy Area, sponsored by Peterson Farms

  • Diversified Crop Production Entrepreneurship. Emily Nelson, Pipestone, sponsored by Land O’Lakes

  • Diversified Crop Production Placement. Mason Stevermer, United South Central, sponsored by the Minnesota Corn Growers Association

  • Diversified Horticulture. Ariana Larson, United South Central, sponsored by Compeer Financial

  • Grain Production. Cory Watland, Staples-Motley, sponsored by Corteva

  • Landscape Management. Jacob Price, Sleepy Eye, sponsored by AgriBank

  • Nursery Operations. Emily Schmiesing, Wabasso, sponsored by Ziegler Ag Group

  • Fiber and Oil Crop Production. Caldyn Huper, United South Central, sponsored by the Minnesota Soybean Research and Promotion Council

  • Forage Production. Aiden Barlau, Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted, sponsored by Corteva

  • Fruit Production. Madelyn Schmacher, Heron Lake-Okabena, sponsored by MinnTex

  • Specialty Crop Production. Ryan Hoven, Ada-Borup West, sponsored by Charles and Barb Melberg

  • Turf Grass Management. Jack Frank, Redwood Valley, sponsored by Northland Ford Dealers

  • Vegetable Production. Halli Poppler, Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted, sponsored by AgCountry Farm Credit Services.

First-place agriscience project winners in Plant Systems were: Ayla Toles, the Academy for Sciences and Agriculture; Yuridia Fernandez and Maria Galaviz, Sleepy Eye; Alex Harstad, the Academy for Sciences and Agriculture; and George Cinader, the Academy for Sciences and Agriculture.

Animal Systems Proficiency winners and their FFA chapters included:

  • Agriscience Research, Animal Systems. Caden Mrazek, Staples-Motley, sponsored by the University of Minnesota Department of Animal Science

  • Beef Production Entrepreneurship. Taylor Lacek, Russell-Tyler-Ruthton, sponsored by Greg, Karen and Nick Gosen

  • Beef Production Placement. Landyn Decker, St. Charles, sponsored by Hormel Foods

  • Dairy Production Entrepreneurship. Afton Nelson, Glencoe-Silver Lake, sponsored by Minnesota Select Sires

  • Dairy Production Placement. Anna Krause, Redwood Valley, sponsored by Midwest Dairy

  • Diversified Livestock Production. Lynn Larson, Medford, sponsored by the Minnesota Veterinary Medical Foundation

  • Equine Science Entrepreneurship. Rylee Erickson, Hancock, sponsored by Zinpro

  • Equine Science Placement. Eleanor Wehseler, New London-Spicer, sponsored by the Minnesota Veterinary Medical Foundation

  • Goat Production. Anna Ridenour, Triton, sponsored by the Minnesota Veterinary Medical Foundation

  • Poultry Production. Adam Johnson, Sleepy Eye, sponsored by the Midwest Poultry Federation

  • Sheep Production. Jonathon Gathje, Eden Valley-Watkins, sponsored by James E. and Nancy L. Youngs

  • Small Animal Production and Care. Elise Betcher, Glencoe-Silver Lake, sponsored by the Minnesota Veterinary Medical Foundation

  • Specialty Animal Production. Elisabeth Schmieg, Glencoe Silver Lake, sponsored by Ralco

  • Swine Production Entrepreneurship. Lincoln Ourada, Redwood Valley, sponsored by Christensen Farms

  • Swine Production Placement. Landon Sohre, Maple River, sponsored by Christensen Farms

  • Veterinary Science. Kamryn Beckmann, Heron Lake-Okabena, sponsored by the Minnesota Veterinary Medical Foundation.

First-place winners in Animal Systems agriscience projects were: Katherine Foster, the Academy for Sciences and Agriculture; Belinda Napier, the Academy for Sciences and Agriculture; and Caleb Smith, South West Metro.

Other highlights

Three-hundred and forty-nine agricultural education students from across the state were awarded the Minnesota FFA State degree during the convention. The degree is given to the top members of a State FFA Association, and only 2% of Minnesota FFA members earn the degree.

Outside of the general sessions, FFA chapters and members participated in various convention activities, including a career connections experience. More than 65 different colleges, universities and employers were present at the career fair to interact with students and discuss potential career paths.

The Minnesota FFA Convention is offered in partnership by the Minnesota FFA Association, the Minnesota FFA Foundation and the Minnesota FFA Alumni.

Source: Minnesota FFA, which is solely responsible for the information provided and is wholly owned by the source. Informa Business Media and all of its subsidiaries are not responsible for any of the content contained in this information asset.

 

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