The Sleepy Eye Ag Department celebrated National Teach Ag Day on Thursday, September 19. Pictured l to r – front row: Jace Schauman, Breanna Lopez, Paola Gonzalez, Kaylie Fulmer. Middle- Natalie Fulmer, Karina Martinez, Anna Johnson, Ava Sellner, Carsten Nienhaus. Back- Eric Lozano, Noah Rossbach, Jax Como, Kayden Klein, Santiago Martinez Paredes.

     Thursday, September 19, was National Teach Ag Day, which is celebrated across the nation to recognize the agricultural education profession. Mrs. Hoffmann, Ms. Emmett, and Mr. Hendrickx are always encouraging their students to explore careers in agriculture, one of those being an Ag. Teacher! They “tagged” 20 individuals in grades 8 -12. Those students were given a Tagged to Teach Ag. T-shirt that Mrs. Hoffmann designed. Students that have been previously tagged were encouraged to wear their Teach Ag Shirt on Thursday and were given prizes for coming to the Ag. room. The prizes included: t-shirts, lanyards, pens, and more.

     Congratulations to these students for being Tagged to Teach Ag!

8^th Grade: Kaylie Fulmer, Natalie Fulmer, Karina Martinez, Carsten Nienhaus

 9^th Grade: Paola Gonzalez, Breanna Lopez, Colton Romberg, Ava Sellner

10^th Grade: Jax Como, Eric Lozano, Santiago Martinez Paredes, Jace Schauman

11^th Grade: Kayden Klein, Cameron Moore, Noah Rossbach, Emma Weilage

12^th Grade: Noah Christensen, Kayla Hecht, Anna Johnson, James Moore

Some Agricultural Education statistics from our region of the United States include:

• $44,301 average base starting salary
• 21 average number of extended/summer contract days
• 47 new agricultural education positions
• 17 new agricultural education programs
• 117 positions to fill
• 85 of last year’s 108 agricultural education graduates are in Region 3 currently employed as agriculture teachers
• Agricultural education programs are offered in Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.

   Right now there is a big need for more students who are interested in and passionate about agriculture to pursue a career as an agricultural educator! National Teach Ag Day draws more attention to the shortage of teachers and hopefully inspires students all over the country to become Ag. Teachers!

“LOVE WHAT YOU DO, DO WHAT YOU LOVE— TEACH AG!” Mrs. Hoffmann, Ms. Emmett, and Mr. Hendrickx

Ari Krzmarzick is a Junior at Sleepy Eye Public School and has been in FFA for 5 years. Ari is involved in FFA in order to be a more active part of the community. He is the Sentinel as a Chapter Officer and likes being able to connect with the members through this role. Ari participates in the Poultry Career Development Event (CDE) because he and his friends have fun in the competition. Ari’s Supervised Ag. Experience (SAE) consists of working at Cunningham Seed Farm. His favorite FFA activity is the State Fair. Ari is looking forward to attending the National Convention this year because he’s competing in the National Poultry Contest. While being in FFA and Ag. Classes, he has learned many useful life skills. The awards Ari is most proud of are his first place individual award at the Region VI Poultry Contest and first place team at State Convention for his CDE as well.

Karina Martinez is an eighth grader at Sleepy Eye High School and has been involved in FFA for two years. Karina is on the Floriculture CDE team. She likes the team because it’s fun and she gets to learn more about flowers. Karina’s favorite FFA activity is the Summer Ag tour. She is looking forward to participating in more activities this year and competitions. Since joining FFA, Karina has learned more about leadership. Achievements Karina is most proud of are being a Summer FFA All-Star and this Member of the Month Award.

James Moore is a Senior at Sleepy Eye High School and is in his second year of FFA. James joined FFA for more hands-on learning opportunities. His SAE consists of working at Walmart. James’s  favorite FFA activity was all of the Summer Ag tours. This year, he is looking forward to attending National FFA Convention in Indianapolis. Since James has joined Ag. Classes, he has learned more about welding. An award James is proud of earning is his FFA Degrees. He is also proud of being able to participate in the FFA Welding Competition at the MN State Fair.

Jasmine Petermann is a Junior at Sleepy Eye High School and has been in FFA for four years. Jasmine joined FFA because there are a lot of opportunities to learn about agriculture. She is on the Dairy Cattle Evaluation CDE team and likes working with her teammates and learning how to judge dairy heifers and cows. Jasmine works at Olmar Farms for the SAE in Dairy Production Placement and works for her dad in Crop Production. Her favorite FFA activity is the showing dairy at the MN State Fair and she is looking forward to the Sleepy Eye Crop Show. Since joining Ag classes, Jasmine has learned how to weld. She is most proud of winning the State Fair Crops Overall High Point Exhibitor Award.

anNora Coulson, daughter of Julia and Casey Coulson and Landon Wendinger, son of Lee and Sara Wendinger were crowned 2024 Sleepy Eye High School Homecoming Royalty. The court includes from left: Jaycee Romberg, Brissa Hernandez, Cody Schultz, Lilly Kallevig, NOlan Weicherding, Nora, Landon, Cole Eckstein, Paige Haala, Damian Sanchez, Cadence Okerman, Waylon Schauman Sleepy Eye United host Wabasso Friday night in their Homecoming Game.

Nora Coulson, daughter of Julia and Casey Coulson and Landon Wendinger, son of Lee and Sara Wendinger were crowned 2024 Sleepy Eye High School Homecoming Royalty. The court includes from left: Jaycee Romberg, Brissa Hernandez, Cody Schultz, Lilly Kallevig, Nolan Weicherding, Nora, Landon, Cole Eckstein, Paige Haala, Damian Sanchez, Cadence Okerman, Waylon Schauman.  Sleepy Eye United hosts Wabasso Friday night in their Homecoming Game.

Ari Krzmarzick, Sleepy Eye FFA Officer (middle) participated in the FFA Small Engines Contest at the Minnesota State Fair. He is joined by Big Ideas USA staff that sponsored the competition.

Sleepy Eye FFA had a great Minnesota State Fair with Jasmine Petermann showing three Registered Holsteins.

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. Pictured here: l to r- Kayla Hecht (Champion Woods), Alex Confer (Champion Oats), Jasmine Petermann (Overall Top Crop Exhibitor), Carter Lazatin (Chapter Competition), and Logan Ludewig (Live Woods Competition Reserve Champion).

0.Sleepy Eye FFA wins the Chapter Demonstration Competition at the Minnesota State Fair! Pictured l to r: front- Kenedi Wersal, Noah Rossbach, Daniel Armstrong, Mateo Hornsby, Carter Lazatin, Camryn Maher, Karina Martinez, Madi Martinez, Kamille Capacia. Back- James Moore, Noah Christensen, Kayden Klein.

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: 3^rd Ava Sellner, 4^th Makayla Strong, 6^th Carter Lazatin, 7^th Alex Confer, 9^th Caleb Suess, 10^th Dawson Friton

o   Overall High Point New Exhibitors: 4^th 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!

The FFA Summer All-Stars are Announced! These members participated in at least seven summer FFA events in 2024. Front, l to r – Camryn Maher, Jace Schauman, Karina Martinez, Ava Sellner, Lily Kallevig, Alex Confer. Row 2 – Kaylie Fulmer, Carter Lazatin, Jace Schauman, Natalie Fulmer, Maddy Goldschmidt, Katylyn Romberg, Ella Arkins. Row 3 – Kenedi Wersal, Kenley Jensen, Makayla Strong, Carsten Nienhaus, Charlie Hoffmann, Noah Rossbach, Michael Pool, Taylor Berkner. Back row – Mateo Hornsby, Anna Johnson, Daniel Armstrong, Colton Romberg, Robert Romberg, Ari Krzmarzick, Cameron Moore, Kayden Klein, Logan Ludewig, Eric Lozano, James Moore, Breanna Lopez. Not pictured: Ethan Feucht, Elsie Trebesch, Millie Lax, Travis Mages, Ruby Tauer, Zack Dominguez, Jaden Stone, Emerson Johnson, Lucia Martinez, and Noah Christensen.

The Sleepy Eye FFA chapter would like to recognize a select group of distinguished members who donated much of their time to the Ag. Program and community throughout the summer. These 43 members were named the 2024 Sleepy Eye FFA Summer All-Stars. This is the highest number of Summer All-Stars the chapter has had. The amount of student participation in the summer has grown year after year!

In order for these students to become a summer all-star, each student had to attend or participate in at least seven FFA events or activities over the summer months. The summer FFA/Ag. activities included: Summer Ag. Courses, Ag.Tour Days, United Way Backpack Project, Roadside Clean-up, Attending Officer Workshop, Timberland Leadership Camp, Summerfest, County Fair Exhibitor or Kiddy Barn Volunteer, Farmfest, Region VI Summer Ag. Tour, and much more.

We truly appreciate all that our members do in the summer to help out at community events and grow as leaders. Members learned many new Ag. skills and were able to participate in many service events throughout the summer. We look forward to another great year for the Sleepy Eye FFA Chapter.

Sleepy Eye High School honored Sydney Geiger as their 2024 Teacher of the Year. Geiger is a physical education, health education and wellness teacher and is the head volleyball coach.

FFA Officers plan for the upcoming year! Pictured here: front row- left to right:  Anna Johnson, Lucia Martinez, Lily Kallevig, Alex Confer, Carter Lazatin, Jace Schauman. Back: Eric Lozano, Taylor Berkner, Jaelynn Schauman, Logan Ludewig, Ari Krzmarzick, Charlie Hoffmann, Noah Rossbach, Daniel Armstrong.

Sleepy Eye FFA Officers attended an officer workshop to plan for the upcoming school year and to get to know their fellow officers better. The team, with the help of advisors Ms. Emmett, Mr. Hendrickx, Mrs. Hoffmann and Summer Intern Morgan Hoffmann, covered a lot of business such as officer duties, the chapter’s budget, and team goals.

The 2024-25 Sleepy Eye Officer Team includes: President – Lily Kallevig, 1^st Vice President – Alex Confer, 2^nd Vice President – Logan Ludewig, 3^rd Vice President – Lucia Martinez, Secretary – Carter Lazatin, Treasurer – Noah Rossbach, Reporter – Jaelynn Schauman, Social Media Reporter – Taylor Berkner, Student Advisors – Daniel Armstrong and Kayden Klein, Historians – Jace Schauman and Anna Johnson, Sentinel – Ari Krzmarzick, Parliamentarian – Charlie Hoffmann, and Officer-at-Large – Eric Lozano. At the workshop, each member chose different activities to help with and organize during the year.

The team chose their goals for the year based on the needs of the chapter. The 2024-25 team goals include:

1- To complete 2250 service hours this year.

2- To have at least 40 high school and 35 junior high members attend their respective chapter meetings.

3- To have 4 officer bonding events and for officers to dress up at every theme meeting.

The team also discussed the new motto for the coming year. The Sleepy Eye FFA motto for this 2024-25 is Celebrating 85 Years of Timeless Traditions. The Sleepy Eye FFA Chapter was chartered in 1939, which makes this the 85^th Anniversary of the chapter’s existence.

The Officer team also reviewed their budget which reminded them of how important sponsors are to the chapters program. It is because of them that our chapter is able to operate and provide such amazing experiences for its members.

The officer team will continue to do community service this year, including cards for nursing home and assisted living residents, Wee deliver PALS with elementary, roadside clean-up, helping with the Weekend Backpack Food Program, and other service events that arise.

Throughout the business-filled meeting, the team did many team building activities and began to understand how to use each of their strengths to work together for a successful year. The officers are extremely excited about what’s in store for the upcoming year and are looking forward to growing as leaders, serving the community, and influencing other chapter members.