Nineteen Sleepy Eye FFA members competed in the Best Informed Greenhand Competition on Tuesday, Dec. 12. The participants included: l to r, front-  Aranza Tovar, Chloe Okerman, Kamille Capacia, Camryn Maher. Row 2: Ava Sellner, Carter Lazatin. Row 3: Paola Gonzalez, Makayla Strong, Breanna Lopez, Ethan Schwartz. Row 4: Kenley Jensen, Santi Martinez, Jacob Fulmer. Back: Shea Evers, Robert Romberg, Ethan Evans, Trevor Rathman, Gavin Fischer, Eli Christensen.

On Tuesday, December 12^th, the regional competition for the Best Informed Greenhand (BIG) Career Development Events (CDE) was held in Windom along with several Leadership Development Events (LDE).

For the BIG Team competition, members took a written 50 question test to show their knowledge of FFA facts, parliamentary procedure, history, and important people in FFA.
The Sleepy Eye team placed 1^st at the Region VI Contest out of 12 teams. The top members on the team included: Ava Sellner (1^st place individual), Santi Martinez (3^rd place individual), Ethan Evans (5^th place individual), and Paola Gonzalez (7^th place individual).

Other team members included: Camryn Maher, Clark Lazatin, Breanna Lopez, Makayla Strong, Jacob Fulmer, Trevor Rathman, Kamille Capacia, Kenley Jensen, Gavin Fischer, Eli Christensen, Shea Evers, Aranza Tovar, Chloe Okerman, Ethan Schwartz, and Robert Romberg.

Camryn Maher competed in the FFA Creed Competition. She placed 3^rd out of eleven contestants and advanced to state competition.  In this contest, members are judged for their ability to present the five paragraphs of the National FFA Creed from memory and answer questions related to it.

Lily Kallevig competed in the Prepared Public Speaking Competition and placed 4^th out of 8^th participants. Student contestants write and deliver a six to eight minute speech related to agriculture. Speakers are judged on content and composition, delivery of the speech, and their ability to answer questions from the judges.

FFA members helped to tie the blankets for the Trinity Weekend Backpack Food Program Holiday Boxes for families in need. It is an amazing experience to do something for others! Pictured here are Jace (left) and Jaelynn (right) Schauman with a blanket they made.

This year, the Sleepy Eye FFA is Living to Serve by helping Trinity with the Weekend Backpack Food Program and especially the Holiday Boxes and gifts. The Sleepy Eye FFA Chapter applied for a National FFA Yearlong Living to Serve Grant for $3000 in order to help with the Trinity Backpack program which includes food bags each week and Holiday Gift Boxes. With the generosity of the National FFA, Tractor Supply Company, Cargill, CoBank, Elanco, and Dominos, the Living to Serve Grant became a reality for the Sleepy Eye FFA.

The Backpack program is where students at risk for hunger receive bags of food for the weekend with two family meals – main dishes, fruit, vegetables, and a snack. The FFA grant money is being used to help with several extensions of the Backpack Food Program: Birthday boxes for each elementary participant, fruit in each food bag, pantry for middle school students which includes: food, snacks, personal care items as well as personal care items for the Holiday Boxes. We also got an ornament for each family for the Holiday Box as well as made a tie blanket for each child in the program.

This fall, members made all of the Birthday Boxes for the children who had birthdays this semester. In mid-November, members and officers went to Mark Thomas Co. to pack meals and made the tie blankets. In December, they purchased all of the personal care items and ornaments for the Holiday Boxes. We continue to purchase fruit for the weekly meals as well as provide the food pantry for the middle school students and birthday boxes for the students in the program.

The FFA is thrilled to be a part of this amazing project that the Trinity church conducts in cooperation with Sleepy Eye Public Schools, along with numerous community partners, providing food to students all school year long. Some of the partners include: Central Region Cooperative, Brown County United Way, Land ‘O Lakes, Sleepy Eye FFA and other community members.

Receiving this $3000 grant and helping with this project was a great way for Sleepy Eye FFA members to contribute to the community and build relationships while doing so.

Sleepy Eye High School honored Landon Wendinger and Paige Haala (Above photo)  as their 2023-2024 ExCEL winners while St. Mary’s named Rachel Portner and Noah Christensen (below photo). All are juniors and now compete at the state level.

ExCEL – Excellence in Community, Education and Leadership – is a unique recognition program designed exclusively for Minnesota high school juniors who are active in school activities, who show Leadership qualities, and who volunteer in their communities. Every member school of the League is invited to nominate one girl and one boy for the ExCEL Award. Nominees must:
a. be a junior in high school
b. make satisfactory progress toward graduation requirements
c. participate in a MSHSL fine arts and/or athletic activity
d. hold a leadership position(s) in their school
e. work voluntarily in their community.

These Sleepy Eye Students were more than happy to receive their wellness kits right before the Thanksgiving Break. Reminding students to take care of themselves and that we have a lot to be thankful for! Pictured l to r – Emma Thibado, Megan Sellner, Kaden Braun, Jace Schauman, Brayden Heiderscheidt, Gavin Fischer, and Shea Evers.

The Sleepy Eye FFA Chapter was recently recognized as a grant recipient of the Minnesota FFA Foundation’s Bend, Don’t Break Mental Health Wellness Program. The Bend Don’t Break Mental Health Wellness program is an important program for supporting youth in your local community. This program ensures that our leaders of tomorrow, students and teachers, are being cared for. Minnesota FFA is taking a stand on mental health.

Schools have been in session for a few months now. Students are getting in the groove of balancing schoolwork with extracurricular activities. Teachers are creating lesson plans and grading students’ work. However, at times these tasks may become stressful. Stress can lead to mental health concerns. Research shows that every three-in ten students struggle with poor mental health. To support this concern, the Minnesota FFA Foundation has partnered with the Minnesota Department of Agriculture to promote mental health in Minnesota agricultural education students and teachers.

“We are proud to lend our voice and efforts to the important work of supporting our agricultural community through the Bend Don’t Break program. FFA members have long taken an active role in supporting their community. This program aligns with our efforts to support our schools and communities in the important area of rural mental health. The partnership with the Minnesota Department of Agriculture is a valuable one that reaches beyond the 40,000 students we serve across Minnesota,” shared Val Aarsvold, Executive Director.

This initiative has provided 29 Minnesota FFA chapters with funds to conduct mental health wellness within their school and community. The grant process will encourage FFA chapters to address their community’s mental health wellness needs, respecting that there is no one way to share a message of awareness and available support to those feeling the effects of stress.

The Sleepy Eye FFA Chapter was selected as a recipient of the Bend Don’t Break Grant. The Sleepy Eye FFA Chapter made 300 Wellness Kits that we distributed to every 7-12 student at Sleepy Eye Public as well as our FFA members at St. Mary’s and MVL schools. The kit included the following 10 items: an uplifting quote card and stress ball, fidget keychain, lip balm, tic tacs, mini plush animal, and some treats (rice krispie bar, mini pringles, fruit snacks, m & m’s).

This work is supported by Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Program award no. 2021-

70035- 35461 from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture and the Minnesota Department of Agriculture.

For more information or questions on the Minnesota FFA Foundation’s involvement with the Bend, Don’t Break Mental Health Wellness Program, contact Amanda Sommers at 507-461-2214.

Kdgn-    Myla Neid                Kdgn- Emmitt Nachreiner

1^st –    Everlee Rasmussen    1^st – Greta Barka

2^nd–       Nolan Deibele           2^nd –       Hudson Kuebler

3^rd –       Apollo Saari              3^rd – Jaxton Sample

4^th –      Keegan Schweigert    4^th – Kyson Christensen

5^th –      Kinley Bertrand`       5^th – Madelyn Jensen

6^th –      Rylan Trebesch         6^th – Peyton Erickson

The Top Exhibitors of the Junior High FFA Crop Show included: Caleb Oscarson (left) – Reserve Champion and Makayla Strong (right) – Champion.

The FFA Greenhands presented the emblem and it’s meaning at the Annual Crop Show Greenhand Night. The greenhand presenters included l to r: Clark Lazatin, Trevor Rathman, Shea Evers, Kaden Braun, Jacob Fulmer, Robert Romberg, Gavin Fischer, Aiden Krzmarzick, Jace Schauman, Santi Martinez.

The Steady Shot Awards were presented on Monday, Nov. 20th. Recipients included: l to r – Gavin Fischer, Hayden Zarn, and Noah Rossbach.

The Top Exhibitors of the High School FFA Crop Show included: Front, l to r- Alex Confer (Champion), Jasmine Peterman (Reserve Champion), Carter Lazatin. Back- Winsten Nienhaus, Caleb Suess, Isaac Lendt, Noah Rossbach.

The Sleepy Eye FFA Chapter held its annual Crops Show/Trap Shoot Awards/Greenhand Night/Parents Night Program on Monday, November 20^th at the Sleepy Eye Public High School. It was a chance for us to highlight the fall events, the greenhands, and announce the winners of the 2023 FFA Crops Show.

140 FFA members exhibited a total of 555 samples of corn, soybeans, wheat, oats, and miscellaneous crop samples at the 2023 Sleepy Eye FFA Crop Show.

The purpose of the crop show is to exhibit a sample of a crop that will be judged on appearance: uniform color and size as well as having no defects or unwanted debris. Making a crop sample for the show involves a lot of patience and attention to detail. The longer amount of time you spend preparing a crop sample, the more success you will have in the end. After the crop show, the crops are stored until the county and state fairs the following summer.

The 2023 FFA Crop Show was a huge success, and would not have been possible without the involvement of the community!  Thank you to everyone who contributed, including donating crops and judging the crops.

The results are as follows-

Jr. High Champions:

Soybeans Champion: Makayla Strong

Wheat Champion: Mia Davila

Oats Champion: Ian Lushine

Combined 7th – 12th Grade Champions:

Shelled Corn Champion: Isaac Lendt

Miscellaneous Champion: Caleb Suess

Ear Corn Champion: Isaac Lendt

Organic Crops Champion: Makayla Strong

Sr. High Champions:

Soybeans Champion: Taylor Berkner

Wheat Champion: Logan Mack

Oats Champion: Tim Friton

Next are the results of the overall placings for the 2023 crop show.

TOP TEN SR. HIGH

Champion- Alex Confer

Reserve Champion- Jasmine Peterman

3rd place- Winsten Nienhaus

4th place- Colton Domeier

5th place- Noah Rossbach

6th place- Kayla Hecht

7th place- Carter Lazatin

8th place- Caleb Suess

9th place- Isaac Lendt

10th place- Yuri Fernandez

TOP TEN JR. HIGH

Champion- Makayla Strong

Reserve Champion- Caleb Oscarson

3rd place- Riley Voigt

4th place- Heath Eckstein

5th place- Ava Sellner

6th place- Colton Romberg

7th place- Ian Lushine

8th place- Lilah Hein

9th place- Paola Gonzalez

10th place- Oziel Lozano

FFA Trap Shoot Awards:

Our first trap award is called the Steady Shot Award! These individuals had great scores every shoot to help the team succeed.

• The recipients of the Steady Shot Award are Hayden Zarn, Gavin Fischer, and Noah Rossbach.

The Top Shooters Awards are for those Sleepy Eye members that had the highest score at each shoot. The recipients of the Top Shooter Award  for the 3 shoots were:

• St. James Shoot – Brayden Suess
• Mt. Lake Shoot – Ari Krzmarzick
• Sleepy Eye Shoot – Devin Kunkel

Our Overall Trap Awards are next:

            The Most Improved Shooters are:

• Jacob Fulmer, Shea Evers, and Gavin Strong

The Top New Shooters are:

• Trevor Rathman, Courtney Brey, and Davin Suess

Congrats to all 25 of our Trap Team members for a great season.

Greenhand Member Presentation and Recognition:

All of the Greenhand members were recognized while nine Greenhands presented the FFA emblem and its meaning.

The 2023 Greenhands include: Elias Andres, Blaine Anderson, Kaden Braun, Jerzey Christensen, Jax Como, Ristan Coners, Marely Davila, Jezzel Del Toro, Riley Eckstein-Sprenger, Ethan Evans, Shea Evers, Gavin Fischer, Jony Flores, Jacob Fulmer, Noel Garcia, Brayden Heiderscheidt, Wyatt Juenemann, Dylan Krebs, Aiden Krzmarzick, Clark Lazatin, Eric Lozano, Jesus Moncada, Dhruvi Patel, Nora Paver, Savannah Pennanen, Trevor Rathman, Emily Rodriguez, Raul Rodriguez, Robert Romberg, Jace Schauman, Megan Sellner, Jaden Stone, Emma Thibado, Paige Thoms, Carson Uecker, Leah Kucera, Sydney Zarn, Ethan Schwartz, Santiago Martinez, and Kolbe Turbes.

The Sleepy Eye FFA Milk Quality Team took first place at the Region VI Contest and is advancing to state. Pictured l-r team members: Jaelynn Schauman, Megan Sellner, Callie Evers, Ava Kunkel, Carter Lazatin, Jace Schauman.

On Wednesday, November 15^th, 2023 the FFA regional competition for the Milk Quality and Food Science Career Development Events (CDE) were held in Mountain Lake.

The Sleepy Eye Milk Quality Team earned 1^st place in the region out of 16 teams. The team included: Megan Sellner (1^st place individual), Jaelynn Schauman (2^nd place individual), Carter Lazatin (4^th place individual), Jace Schauman (9^th place individual), Ava Kunkel, and Callie Evers.

There were 68 individuals in the competition. In the Milk Quality competition members detect defects in milk, identify dairy vs. nondairy products and milk fat contents, identify cheeses and their characteristics, rate CMT tests, take a knowledge test on milk marketing and production, and do a problem solving activity. The team will be advancing to state competition that will be held in April in the Twin Cities!

The Food Science Team also competed in Mountain Lake. They received 3^rd place out of 8 teams. Team members included: Chloe Howe and Sam Price (Tied for 3^rd place individual), Destiney Dittbenner (15^th place individual), Noemi Rodriguez, and Hannah Meyer. The Food Science Competition involves: an individual knowledge exam, food safety/sanitation practicum, customer inquiry response practicum, and math exam as well as team product development and presentation

The Sleepy Eye FFA Chapter held its annual Crops Show/Trap Shoot Awards/Greenhand Night/Parents Night Program on Monday, November 20^th at the Sleepy Eye Public High School. It was a chance for us to highlight the fall events, the greenhands, and announce the winners of the 2023 FFA Crops Show.

140 FFA members exhibited a total of 555 samples of corn, soybeans, wheat, oats, and miscellaneous crop samples at the 2023 Sleepy Eye FFA Crop Show.

The purpose of the crop show is to exhibit a sample of a crop that will be judged on appearance: uniform color and size as well as having no defects or unwanted debris. Making a crop sample for the show involves a lot of patience and attention to detail. The longer amount of time you spend preparing a crop sample, the more success you will have in the end. After the crop show, the crops are stored until the county and state fairs the following summer.

The 2023 FFA Crop Show was a huge success, and would not have been possible without the involvement of the community!  Thank you to everyone who contributed, including donating crops and judging the crops.

The results are as follows-

Jr. High Champions:

Soybeans Champion: Makayla Strong

Wheat Champion: Mia Davila

Oats Champion: Ian Lushine

Combined 7th – 12th Grade Champions:

Shelled Corn Champion: Isaac Lendt

Miscellaneous Champion: Caleb Suess

Ear Corn Champion: Isaac Lendt

Organic Crops Champion: Makayla Strong

Sr. High Champions:

Soybeans Champion: Taylor Berkner

Wheat Champion: Logan Mack

Oats Champion: Tim Friton

Next are the results of the overall placings for the 2023 crop show.

TOP TEN SR. HIGH

Champion- Alex Confer

Reserve Champion- Jasmine Peterman

3rd place- Winsten Nienhaus

4th place- Colton Domeier

5th place- Noah Rossbach

6th place- Kayla Hecht

7th place- Carter Lazatin

8th place- Caleb Suess

9th place- Isaac Lendt

10th place- Yuri Fernandez

TOP TEN JR. HIGH

Champion- Makayla Strong

Reserve Champion- Caleb Oscarson

3rd place- Riley Voigt

4th place- Heath Eckstein

5th place- Ava Sellner

6th place- Colton Romberg

7th place- Ian Lushine

8th place- Lilah Hein

9th place- Paola Gonzalez

10th place- Oziel Lozano

Congratulations to all 140 FFA Crop Show exhibitors and good luck at the County and State Fairs!

FFA Trap Shoot Awards:

Our first trap award is called the Steady Shot Award! These individuals had great scores every shoot to help the team succeed.

• The recipients of the Steady Shot Award are Hayden Zarn, Gavin Fischer, and Noah Rossbach.

The Top Shooters Awards are for those Sleepy Eye members that had the highest score at each shoot. The recipients of the Top Shooter Award  for the 3 shoots were:

• St. James Shoot – Brayden Suess
• Mt. Lake Shoot – Ari Krzmarzick
• Sleepy Eye Shoot – Devin Kunkel

Our Overall Trap Awards are next:

            The Most Improved Shooters are:

• Jacob Fulmer, Shea Evers, and Gavin Strong

The Top New Shooters are:

• Trevor Rathman, Courtney Brey, and Davin Suess

Congrats to all 25 of our Trap Team members for a great season.

Greenhand Member Presentation and Recognition:

All of the Greenhand members were recognized while nine Greenhands presented the FFA emblem and its meaning.

The 2023 Greenhands include: Elias Andres, Blaine Anderson, Kaden Braun, Jerzey Christensen, Jax Como, Ristan Coners, Marely Davila, Jezzel Del Toro, Riley Eckstein-Sprenger, Ethan Evans, Shea Evers, Gavin Fischer, Jony Flores, Jacob Fulmer, Noel Garcia, Brayden Heiderscheidt, Wyatt Juenemann, Dylan Krebs, Aiden Krzmarzick, Clark Lazatin, Eric Lozano, Jesus Moncada, Dhruvi Patel, Nora Paver, Savannah Pennanen, Trevor Rathman, Emily Rodriguez, Raul Rodriguez, Robert Romberg, Jace Schauman, Megan Sellner, Jaden Stone, Emma Thibado, Paige Thoms, Carson Uecker, Leah Kucera, Sydney Zarn, Ethan Schwartz, Santiago Martinez, and Kolbe Turbes.

It was a great evening to celebrate so many successes of our members already this fall for 2023!

Caption 1: HS GROUP

The Top Exhibitors of the High School FFA Crop Show included: Front, l to r- Alex Confer (Champion), Jasmine Peterman (Reserve Champion), Carter Lazatin. Back- Winsten Nienhaus, Caleb Suess, Isaac Lendt, Noah Rossbach.

Caption 2: JUNIOR HIGH CHAMP

The Top Exhibitors of the Junior High FFA Crop Show included: Caleb Oscarson (left) – Reserve Champion and Makayla Strong (right) – Champion.

Caption 3: GREENHAND

The FFA Greenhands presented the emblem and it’s meaning at the Annual Crop Show Greenhand Night. The greenhand presenters included l to r: Clark Lazatin, Trevor Rathman, Shea Evers, Kaden Braun, Jacob Fulmer, Robert Romberg, Gavin Fischer, Aiden Krzmarzick, Jace Schauman, Santi Martinez.

Caption 4: TRAP TOP SHOOTER

The Steady Shot Awards were presented on Monday, Nov. 20^th. Recipients included: l to r – Gavin Fischer, Hayden Zarn, and Noah Rossbach.