Written and Submitted by Gerri Eide (SD Foundation Board) & Alysha Kientopf (Chapter Advisor)
Garretson FFA members are preparing for agriculture careers, learning the role agriculture plays in feeding and clothing the world, and looking for opportunities to grow the industry. Garretson FFA members have been attending local Career Development Events since the beginning of March in preparation for State Competition. FFA’s Career Development Events (CDEs) are built around ag industry careers, expose members to many of the opportunities and needs in the agriculture sector and enable them to develop and refine their abilities to critically evaluate, effectively communicate and ultimately, succeed in future careers. This is only one valuable piece that members were able to partake in at the 95th South Dakota FFA Convention April 16th-18th, 2023 in Brookings, SD.
Drew Pederson with the Highest Honor in South Dakota, the State Degree. (photo submitted) 
Floriculture Team- (L to R) Natalie Brazee, Ella Frerk, Emma Wolf, Brooklyn Jacobson (photo submitted) Food Science & Technology Team- (L to R) Jacoby Costello, Ty Van Holland, Brooklyn Trudeau, Reece Connelly (photo submitted) Poultry Evaluation Team- (L to R) Drew Pederson, Hannah Frewaldt, Dylan Waltman, Bethany Bucklin (photo submitted)
One of the hallmarks of agricultural education and the FFA is the opportunity to showcase skills learned in classrooms and spotlighted through competitive events. It is a source of pride and students look forward to the state-level events each year to determine who will represent South Dakota at the national level in the fall. This year 2,500 South Dakota FFA members attended State Convention and amongst that 33 members from Garretson partook in 8 of the 15 Career Development Events, SD Farmers Union Farm Safety Quiz Bowl, we had a member earn their State Degree and a Blue & Gold Scholarship, took in the Career Carnival and Workshops where members were able to meet with a variety of industry professionals, and attend sessions where they got to hear a handful of inspirational retiring addresses form the 2022-2023 State Officer team.
Garretson FFA’s successes included:
State Degree Recipient: Drew Pederson
$750 Blue & Gold Scholarship: Drew Pederson
Poultry Judging- 9th place Team
Drew Pederson- 1st Place
Hannah Frewaldt- 50th
Bethany Bucklin- 59th
Dylan Waltman- 64th
Livestock Evaluation- 15th Place Team
Drew Pederson- 5th Place
Elijah Winterton- 80th
Lane Ellefson- 132nd
Brecken Weir- 137th
Ag Mechanics- 45th Place Team
Levi Top- 129th
Cash Pullman- 160th
Luke Persing- 177th
Isaac Stoterau- 182nd
Agronomy- 37th Place Team
Colin Shellum- 131st
Jakob Gnadt- 135th
Adair Hanisch- 137th
Austin Graff- 143rd
Floriculture- 17th Place Team
Emma Wolf- 27th
Ella Frerk- 65th
Brooklyn Jacobson- 86th
Natalie Brazee 139th
Food Science- 16th Place Team
Reece Connelly- 49th
Brooklyn Trudeau- 65th
Jacoby Costello- 66th
Ty Van Holland- 75th
Horse Evaluation- 29th Place Team
Chloe Hermanson- 83rd
Alexis Christensen- 101st
Jordyn Kuphal- 119th
Madison Waltman- 124th
Vet Science- 26th Place Team
Dustyn Winterton- 32nd
Tyler Erickson- 76th
Bryce Stoterau- 170th
Autumn Genzler- 208th
Farm Safety Quiz Bowl Team
Whisper Apple
Mackenzie Sanders
Bryce Stoterau
Dustyn Winterton
We have quite a young chapter that has big goals and a determined drive; Garretson FFA’s future is bright. They continue to strive to live out the FFA motto; Learning to Do, Doing to Learn, Earning to Live, Living to Serve as they enhance Premier Leadership, Personal Growth, and Career Success through their experiences.
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