By: Chapter Reporter, Brooke Arneson
Member of the Month
Manny Poplow is in 9th grade and has been in FFA for one year. He joined FFA because of the encouragement of his friends and teachers. Manny’s CDE (Career Development Team) is the Best Informed Greenhand (BIG) Team. For his CDE, he enjoys memorizing all of the FFA facts. So far competing on the BIG team is Manny’s favorite FFA activity. One thing he wants to try in the future is trapshooting. Manny has learned so far that agriculture isn’t just about plants, but includes so many other things. His top achievement is winning 2nd place on the BIG Team at regions.
Member of the Month
Lily Kallevig is in 9th grade and this is her first year in FFA. She joined FFA so that she could meet new people and make new friends. Lily is a member of the BIG Team for her CDE. She enjoys her CDE because she gets to hang out with her friends. Lily’s favorite FFA Activity was the lock-in. She is most looking forward to going to state for BIG Team. Lily has learned that there is more to agriculture than farming, that the opportunities are endless. She is most proud of earning the Member of the Month award.
Member of the Month
Trevor Rathman is in 7th grade and this is his first year in FFA. He joined FFA so he could be more involved with agriculture. Trevor does not have one specific favorite FFA activity, as he enjoys all of them. Something he is interested in or looking forward to the most is trapshooting. From being in an Ag. class and FFA, Trevor has learned more about plants and animals. He is most proud of the award for being the top junior high seller for fruit sales.
Officer of the Month
Morgan Hoffmann is in 12th grade and has been in FFA for 6 years. She joined FFA because it has always been a part of her life. When Morgan was old enough, she joined and participated in everything she possibly could and loved all of it! Morgan has been serving as the Chapter President and she enjoys being a leader for our chapter as well as working with her other fellow officers. Morgan is on the Floriculture CDE Team. For Floriculture, she likes designing different floral arrangements and learning about the different types of flowers. Morgan’s SAE is Ag. Communications where she posts and gets the word out about FFA and agriculture to many people. Her favorite FFA activities include Timberland Camp and FFA lock-ins. Morgan is looking forward to FFA Week and State Convention where she can meet up with the many friends she has made over the years. From being in an Ag. class and FFA, Morgan has learned many skills that will help her in future careers, and she has learned how to be more confident in herself. The awards she is most proud of are the Blue and Gold Award, Sophomore Achievement Award, Star Greenhand, and 1st Place Agricultural Education Proficiency at State.
leepy Eye High School honored Arian Saenz and Brooke Arneson (Above photo) as their 2021-2022 ExCEL winners while St. Mary’s named Owen Weiss and Liz Schwint (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.
The Sleepy Eye FFA members competed in the Best Informed Greenhand Competition on Tuesday, Dec. 14. The greenhands included: l to r, front- Izzy Kunkel, Cadence Okerman, Lily Kallevig, Noemi Rodriguez, Chloe Howe, Adam Rodriguez. Back- Nolan Weicherding, Tim Friton, Cody Schultz, Manny Poplow, Jose Castorena.
By: Leisha Martinez, FFA Reporter
On Tuesday, December 14th, the regional competition for the Best Informed Greenhand (BIG) Career Development Events (CDE) was held in Windom.
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 top Sleepy Eye team placed 2nd at the Region VI Contest out of 17 teams. The members of the top team included: Chloe Howe, Manny Poplow, Adam Rodriguez (all with a 3-way tie for 4th place individual), Cody Schultz (tied for 5th individual).
The other members on the Sleepy Eye teams included: Lily Kallevig (tied for 6th individual), Cadence Okerman, Izzy Kunkel, Jose Castorena, Noemi Rodriguez, Tim Friton and Nolan Weicherding all competed.
All of these greenhands will compete at the State FFA Convention in April.
By: Chapter Reporter, Brooke Arneson
Member of the Month
Megan Sellner is in 7th grade and this is her first year in FFA. She joined FFA because she thought it would be fun to learn more about what it has to offer. Megan is a part of the Milk Quality and Products team for her CDE (Career Development Event). Her favorite part of her CDE is tasting the different kinds of dairy products. Megan’s favorite FFA activities include the monthly meetings. For the upcoming year, she is most looking forward to the State Milk Quality Competition. So far Megan has learned cow breeds and how to identify different milks from being in an Ag. class and FFA. The award that she is most proud of is Member of the Month and being 5th individual for the Region Milk Quality Contest.
Member of the Month
Chloe Howe is in 9th grade and has been in FFA for 2 years. She joined FFA to get out of her comfort zone. Chloe’s CDE team is food science. Her favorite part of her CDE is collaborating with friends. Chloe’s favorite FFA activity was having the opportunity to apply for and earn a free FFA jacket. Something she wants to try this year is public speaking. Chloe has learned that communication is key by being in an Ag. class and FFA. She is most proud of earning this Member of the Month award.
Member of the Month
Hannah Meyer is in 8th grade and has been in FFA for 2 years. She joined FFA to gain new experiences. Her CDE team is forestry. Hannah’s favorite part of her CDE is going to competitions and meeting new people. As a part of her SAE, Hannah feeds her neighbors cats, which falls under the small animal production and care category. Her favorite activities so far have been the monthly meetings. She is most looking forward to Timberland Camp in the forthcoming year. From being in the Ag. class Farm to Table, Hannah has learned how to cook. Hannah is most proud of earning top 10 in the Sleepy Eye Crop Show.
Officer of the month
Winsten is in 10th grade and has been in FFA for 4 years. He joined FFA because he thought it would be a good experience and so he could learn more and grow personally. Winsten has been serving as the Officer at Large for our FFA Officer Team this year. As the Officer at Large, he enjoys stepping in and assisting all officers. Winsten’s CDE team is poultry. His favorite part of his CDE is practicing and competing with his teammates. Winsten’s SAE is poultry production, which involves him raising egg layers. For fun FFA activities, he enjoys playing in the volleyball tournaments. Winsten is most looking forward to the banquet at the end of the year. From being in Ag. classes and FFA, he has learned more about business and trades. The awards Winsten is most proud of include top 10 in the Crop Show, Best in Show for the county fair FFA poultry show, and the Phoenix Award.
Winners of the annual Knights of Columbus’ “Keep Christ in Christmas” poster contest include are (back row): Emily Moldan (1st place/3rd grade), Inara Andres (2nd place/3rd grade), William Braulick (1st place/5th grade), and Whitney Fischer (2nd place/4th grade). Front row: Harper Armbruster (3rd place/3rd grade), Nolan Kucera (2nd place tie/5th grade), Ruby Tauer (2nd place tie/5th grade), Peyton Mages (1st place/ 4th grade) and Lauren Steffl (3rd place/4th grade).
Nineteen Sleepy Eye Public FFA Members were selected to receive their very own FFA jackets from the Blue Jackets Bright Futures Program and the Sleepy Eye Ag Program Boosters. Pictured l to r, front row – Jace Schauman, Megan Sellner, Winsten Nienhaus, Isaac Lendt, Hannah Meyer. Middle row – Jezzel Del Toro, Gavin Fischer, Caleb Suess, Nathan Rathman, Sam Price, Daniel Armstrong. Back row – Jose Castorena, Chloe Howe, Noemi Rodriguez, Taylor Berkner, Izzy Kunkel. Not pictured: Landon Wendinger, Ellen Windschitl, Clark Lazatin.
Three St. Mary’s FFA members received jackets through the Blue Jackets Bright Futures Program this year. Pictured l to r – Sydney Zarn, Emma Fischer, Leah Kucera.
The Minnesota FFA Foundation is pleased to announce the presentation of the official FFA jacket to members of the Sleepy Eye FFA Chapter. 16 members have been selected to receive their own jacket through the Foundation and another 6 members were chosen to receive a jacket from the Sleepy Eye Ag Program Boosters.
As Minnesota FFA welcomes thousands of young people into membership, the Minnesota FFA Foundation has announced the recipients of the Blue Jacket Bright Futures program. The program provides sponsored FFA jackets to Minnesota youth who are starting their FFA career. This is the nineth year the Minnesota FFA Foundation has offered the program. “The Blue Jackets Bright Future program is a valuable program providing students with an FFA jacket to support their FFA involvement. A personalized FFA jacket provides recipients with a sense of pride while giving them ownership of their FFA experiences, said Lavyne Rada, Minnesota FFA Association Leadership Development Coordinator. “FFA plays an important role in developing agricultural and leadership skills in students while preparing them for their future careers.”
“The jacket is a symbol of tradition and pride for those who have worn the official FFA jacket. Many past members have sponsored jackets, but it’s not uncommon for individuals and companies to sponsor jackets because they appreciate what the organization does to develop young leaders,” says Val Aarsvold, Minnesota FFA Foundation Executive Director.
The Minnesota FFA Foundation wishes to thank the sponsors of the Blue Jackets Bright Futures program this year. The sponsors of this program are what make it possible for our FFA students to have a successful experience with FFA! Thank you for making a difference in the lives of a student.
The Minnesota FFA Foundation partners with individuals and businesses to provide resources that promote and enhance premier leadership, personal growth and career success for Minnesota youth in Agricultural Education.
The Sleepy Eye FFA Milk Quality Team took second place at the Region VI Contest and is advancing to state. Pictured l-r team members: Noah Rossbach, Jorden Niebuhr, Katelyn Capacia, Jace Schauman, and Megan Sellner.
By: Leisha Martinez, Chapter Reporter
On Wednesday, November 17th, 2021 the regional competition for the Milk Quality and Food Science Career Development Events (CDE) was held in Mountain Lake.
The Sleepy Eye Milk Quality Team earned 2nd place in the region out of 12 teams. The team included: Katelyn Capacia (2nd place individual), Megan Sellner (5th place individual), Jorden Niebuhr (8th place individual), Jace Schauman (13th place individual), and Noah Rossbach (16th place individual). There were 54 individuals in the competition. In the Milk Quality competition members detect defects in milk, identify dairy vs. non-dairy 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.
The Food Science Team also competed in Mountain Lake. They received 6th place. Team members included: Izzy Kunkel, Chloe Howe, Jasmine Anchondo, and Noemi Rodriguez. Top scorer on the team was Chloe Howe. 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.
Mary Hoffmann, Sleepy Eye Ag. Teacher, attended the National Association Agricultural Educators (NAAE) Conference November 30 – December 3, 2021, in New Orleans, Louisiana. This four day professional development conference was attended by Agricultural Instructors from across the nation.
Hoffmann received the Region III NAAE Outstanding Agricultural Education Teacher Award while at the conference. Hoffmann was the state winner of this award in July which was forwarded onto Region competition. Region III includes: Wisconsin, Minnesota, South Dakota, North Dakota, Iowa, and Nebraska. She was then chosen the winner of the entire region.
As a member and Secretary of The National Council for Agricultural Education, Hoffmann helped to plan and carry out the Ag. Education Summit in New Orleans, which was held in conjunction with the NAAE Convention. This was a brainstorming session to look at the priorities and strategies of The Council and to start conversations about what best practices are already in place around the country as well as what we should focus on and what new programs or initiatives could be developed.
While at the conference, Hoffmann also attended professional development workshops, committee meetings, and general sessions. Some of the professional development workshops and tours that Hoffmann attended while at the conference included: Experiential Learning Cycle, Managing All the Performers in an Ag Ed Program, Ideas for the Metal’s Laboratory, Cajun Encounters Swamp Tour, Sand Slides: Interactive Soil Science, Conservation/ Recreation-Based Science Curriculum, and Water Beads in Floriculture and Science.
“It was an excellent opportunity to attend a National Conference and learn from others in the same profession. It’s great to spread my network of Ag. connections and resources to teachers across the nation. I come back from a conference like this refreshed and with new ideas to implement into my classroom!” Hoffmann says.
Hoffmann added, “It was also a great honor to represent the Ag Teachers of Minnesota and win the Region in the Outstanding Ag. Teacher of the Year category!”
Caption: Mary Hoffmann, Sleepy Eye Ag. Teacher, wins the National Association of Agricultural Educators Region III Outstanding Agricultural Education Teacher Award. She accepted her award at the NAAE Convention in New Orleans.
Isaac Lendt (right) had the Champion Shelled Corn Sample at the Sleepy Eye FFA Crop Show. He is pictured with Morgan Hoffmann (left), Chapter President.
The FFA Greenhands presented the emblem and it’s meaning at the Annual Crop Show Greenhand Night. The greenhand presenters included: Alexys Odegard, Jacob Mellen, Cadence Okerman, Gavin Strong, Chloe Howe, Cody Schultz, Landon Wendinger, Tim Friton, Brissa Hernandez, Kayla Hecht, Lily Kallevig, Rachel Portner.
The Top Exhibitors of the Junior High FFA Crop Show included: front, l to r – Hannah Meyer, Jasmine Peterman, Carter Lazatin. Back- Samantha Price, Maria Galiviz – Camacho, Alex Confer, Gavin Fischer. Not pictured: Yuridia Fernandez, Emma Weilage, Carson Uecker.
The Top Exhibitors of the High School FFA Crop Show included: Front, l to r- Benjamin Carroll, Jacob Schultz, Adam Johnson. Back- Emma Fischer, Winsten Nienhaus. Not pictured- Noemi Rodriguez, Jon Peterman, Kaleb Butenhoff, Cristal Schmidtknecht, Katelyn Wurtzberger.
By Leisha Martinez, FFA Reporter
The Sleepy Eye FFA Chapter held its annual Crops Show/Greenhand Night/Parents Night Program on Monday, November 15th 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 2021FFA Crops Show.
137 FFA members exhibited a total of 570 samples of corn, soybeans, wheat, oats, miscellaneous crop, and forages at the 2021 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 2021 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 and Oats Champion: Hannah Meyer
Wheat Champion: Alex Confer
Combined 7th – 12th Grade Champions:
Corn Silage, Other Silage, Alfalfa Hay, Other Hay, Haylage, and Ear Corn Champion: Jacob Schultz
Miscellaneous Champion: Carter Lazatin
Shelled Corn Champion: Isaac Lendt
Sr. High Champions:
Soybeans Champion: Macey Ludewig
Wheat Champion: Landon Wendinger
Oats Champion: Kayla Hecht
TOP TEN JR. HIGH EXHIBITORS:
Jr. High Crop Show Champion – Jasmine Petermann
Reserve Champion for Jr. High – Carter Lazatin
3rd place- Alex Confer
4th place- Gavin Fischer
5th place- Yuridia Fernandez
6th place- Emma Weilage
7th place- Carson Uecker
8th place- Sam Price
9th place- Hannah Meyer
10th place- Maria Galiviz – Camacho
TOP TEN SR. HIGH EXHIBITORS:
Sr. High Crops Champion- Jacob Schultz
Reserve Champion for Sr. High- Adam Johnson
3rd place- Noemi Rodriguez
4th place- Benjamin Carroll
5th place- Jon Peterman
6th place- Kaleb Butenhoff
7th place- Emma Fischer
8th place- Cristal Schmidtknecht
9th place- Winsten Nienhaus
10th place- Katelyn Wurtzberger
Congratulations to all 137 FFA Crop Show exhibitors and good luck at the County and State Fairs!
