The Sleepy Eye FFA Chapter was once again well represented at the State Fair in 2024. 12 members participated in the Chapter Demonstration Competition. 160 members participated in exhibiting over 700 entries for the Ag. Technology, Ag. Literacy, and Crops Competitions at the Minnesota State Fair. Jasmine Petermann showed livestock at the fair.
The Sleepy Eye FFA Chapter earned the first place Premier Chapter Award for the Minnesota State Fair Crop Show with a total of 2237 points. Jackson was awarded 2nd place with 576 points. This was the 15th year that Sleepy Eye has won the Minnesota State Fair Crops Competition in the past 17 years.
The Sleepy Eye FFA Chapter earned several Premier Exhibitor Awards including: the Overall Crops Division, Overall Ag Literacy Division, and the Overall Ag Technology Mechanics Division as well as the Chapter Demonstration Competition.
The Crop Show Exhibitors earned the following placings:
- Isaac Lendt exhibited the Champion Ear Corn and was named Overall Best in Show for Crops.
- Alex Confer earned the Crops Champion for the Oats Division.
- Caleb Suess had the Champion Barley sample.
- Makayla Strong exhibited the Champion Organic Grain at the MN State Fair.
- Carsten Nienhaus earned the Crops Champion for the Winter Wheat Division.
- Overall Crops Individual Placings:
o Jasmine Petermann was the Overall High Point exhibitor for the Crops Division at the Minnesota State Fair.
o Other members placing in the Top Ten: 3rd Ava Sellner, 4th Makayla Strong, 6th Carter Lazatin, 7th Alex Confer, 9th Caleb Suess, 10th Dawson Friton
o Overall High Point New Exhibitors: 4th Oziel Lozano
FFA Chapter Demonstration Competition:
- Sleepy Eye FFA Chapter was the Grand Champion Winner with their Safety Carnival earning a $1000 premium. The twelve members presented farm safety demonstrations for this competition in the Chapter Leadership House and on the Christensen Farms Stage at the Minnesota State Fair.
- Camryn Maher recited the FFA Creed on the Christensen Farms Stage as well. This was part of the individual demonstration competition.
FFA Ag. Mechanics and Live Ag. Mechanics Competition:
- Kayla Hecht earned the Champion Woods Project at the Minnesota State Fair.
- Ari Krzmarzick competed at the Minnesota State Fair in the FFA Small Engines Contest. He took apart an engine, put it back together, and ran it for more than 30 seconds in only 1 hour and 28 minutes!
- Noah Rossbach and Logan Ludewig competed in the FFA Live Building Construction Competition at the MN State Fair! They made a raised planter bed in less than 2 hours while fair-goers watched them work. They received Reserve Champion!
- James Moore competed in the MN State Fair FFA Welding Competition. He MIG Welded a fire pit wheel measuring out spokes at 30 degrees in less than 90 minutes.
FFA Dairy: Jasmine Petermann
- Jasmine Petermann exhibited three Registered Holsteins at the MN State Fair FFA Dairy Show! She received two seconds and a third.
FFA Ag. Literacy Division:
- Jace Schauman and Megan Sellner, along with the Exploring Ag Class had the Champion Project Poster with the Minnesota Ag. Commodities Display.
- Gavin Strong exhibited the Champion Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences Exhibit.
Congratulations to the Sleepy Eye FFA Chapter on their accomplishments at the Minnesota State Fair!