South Dakota FFA State Officer Team

03/30/2022

03/29/2022

Congratulations to our State Star in Agriscience Finalists!

03/24/2022

Exactly one month till the gavel drops at the 94th SD FFA State Convention! Follow along for the next few weeks to find out whose chairing each session!

02/24/2022

Our recognition of FFA week continues! FFA roots run deep at the SD State Fair, even in the fair office.

A handful of staff are former FFA members and have worn the blue jacket with pride. Jeanette Linke, SD State Fair camping and competitive exhibits coordinator, brought her FFA jacket to proudly display in honor of FFA week.

She is no stranger to the FFA world as she has a solid, and impressive, history in the organization. She joined Deubrook FFA in 2011, and was on the 2015-2016 state officer team! She currently remains active in FFA by volunteering with the Sanborn Central/Woonsocket FFA chapter.

02/24/2022

Hello Everyone !
This is Sandy Osterday - South Dakota FFA Foundation Board President popping onto our page to invite you to join me Today for a day set aside during this to give our financial support to the FFA organization.
Today I made a donation to the SD FFA Foundation for State FFA Degrees - We are looking for a few more State FFA Degree sponsors - for only $5 each you can provide an FFA member with their gold key. If you earned your state degree and remember the feeling of walking across the stage to receive your key why not give a SD FFA member the same thrill.
You can easily donate to the SD FFA Foundation for state degrees or any other area you would like to support in any gift amount at our donation site link below.
On behalf of the SD FFA Foundation and the South Dakota FFA Association, I Thank You for supporting the FFA and helping to Grow the Future
https://southdakotaffafoundation.harnessapp.com/wv2/donate

02/24/2022

FFA is family! Paige Lehrkamp, State FFA Treasurer shares how 1 goal lead to so much more in FFA.
I joined FFA as a freshman, to have the opportunity to exhibit my livestock in another show at the state fair. However, I quickly began to make friends with members in my home chapter and even around the state. What I loved most about FFA was having a group of people with the same interests and passions as me. These people quickly became my family. This organization allowed me to compete in the Livestock Evaluation CDE (which is now my favorite thing to do) with my best friends throughout high school.

02/23/2022

It's & we are proud to support our state's 5,000 FFA students & 116 advisors in 102 chapters. ICYMI on the radio this week, hear Jim Woster's Corn Comments as he shares about supporting these future leaders. https://www.sdcorn.org/corn-comments/corn-comments-february-21-2022

02/22/2022

As we continue to recognize FFA week, we looked to a leader not only in his industry, but also at the State Fair, State Fair Commissioner Dusty Anderson, for some comments on his FFA experience and the importance of it!

"I was in FFA and it was a great experience. From local competitions to the “blue plague” when we all went to Brookings for the State Convention and slept on the floor of what was the old gym they called the “barn”. FFA provided opportunity but more importantly it provides an experience. It is really the first exposure to leadership skills a young person gets whether it is in parliamentary procedure, giving reasons for a judging competition, or public speaking. In my professional career I can say that an applicant will get a second look if they have participated in FFA in their high school career. I feel it provides a great first step in whatever career they pursue."

Dusty's words on leadership come to life in today's chosen picture. FFA leaders take every opportunity they can get during the fair to be a leader in their field, pass on agricultural knowledge, and answer questions!

02/21/2022

John Petersen, State FFA Vice President reflects on his FFA journey, and how important parents are in shaping our future:
My FFA journey didn’t have a traditional start. After moving from a different state, I was selecting classes to take my freshman year of high school, I didn’t want to take an agriculture education class. However, my mom said I had to. Coming to a new school and a new state, I didn’t really know anyone, and I struggled to fit into at my high school. It wasn’t until I walked into the agriculture classroom that I felt like I was truly in the right place. Even though I didn’t come from a strong farming and ranching background, everyone was extremely friendly and welcoming. As the semester went on, I started to learn about FFA and my advisor strongly encouraged me to get involved. Participating in events and traveling across the state formed friendships that I will forever be grateful for. Joining the FFA gave me a community that supported me as I grew as a leader and a person. If my mom didn’t force me to take an agriculture class, I would not have been given the opportunity to join FFA, and I wouldn’t be the person I am today.

02/19/2022

02/19/2022

FFA is the place where young travelers hop on a plane for the first time, iron their first pair of dress slacks, learn how to tie their first tie, make their first friend outside of their home town, and wear their first jacket that unites them with thousands, yet allows them to stand unique. It is a place where our closest friends can be our classmates as well as our agriculture teachers. A place where people believe in what we can do because our passion is our drive. FFA grows people and strengthens agriculture. It is a place where leaders have a hunger to better themselves, not for personal gain, but for the common-good of their fellow man. It is a place where humility is practiced and thought is provoked. It's a place where the tradition of blue corduroy and high morals have never gone out of style. Here’s to another 90+ years – Happy National FFA Week! Forever Blue!