Sleepy Eye School Staff Recognition was held Monday (Aug. 16) with the following being recognized: First Row: Barb Seifert-15 years, Sarah Eckstein-10 years, Caitlyn Pietig-5 years, Emily Reding-5 years, Deanna Nelson-15 years, Megan Koenigs-5 years. Second Row: Alicia Beltz-5 years, Kari Schieffert-15 years, Shane Laffen-15 years, Kevin Schneider-20 years, Sandy Brinkman-30 years, Casie Braulick-10 years and Kate Nelson-10 years.
FFA Members attend leadership camp in Sleepy Eye. Pictured l to r – Front: Nicole Koziolek (State FFA Secretary), Miah Brown, Winsten Nienhaus, Presley Bauer, Anna Ridenour (State FFA Reporter). Row 2: Wyatt Halvorson (State Vice President), Maddi Helget, Morgan Hoffmann, Nayzeth Luna, Brooke Arneson, Sean Martin, Kyle Thomas (State Treasurer). Back: Baleigh Peterson (State Sentinel), Leisha Martinez, Marcus Martinez, Alex Joramo, Ellen Windschitl, Emily Matejka (State President).
Summer 2021 has been marked by a return to activity after nearly a year and a half of restrictions. July 26 – August 6 found Minnesota FFA members taking advantage of a brand new opportunity – one-day events held in seven locations across Minnesota.
Twelve Sleepy Eye FFA members ranging from 8th – 12th grade participated in the one day camp in Sleepy Eye.
“After the challenges of 2020 and 2021, we knew that we needed to help students take the step toward engaging in in-person opportunities and that it might require us to reimagine how we’ve traditionally delivered state level leadership events,” Minnesota FFA’s Executive Director Juleah Tolosky said.
For much of 2020 and the beginning of 2021, Minnesota FFA programs were developed as virtual or hybrid experiences to safeguard not only the health and safety of individual students, but the schools they would return to. The alleviation of restrictions at the end of spring made it possible to imagine in-person events that would reengage students in activities on the local, regional and state levels.
Partners throughout Minnesota opened their doors to make the events possible. Braham High School, Central Lakes College in Staples, Ridgewater College in Willmar, Sleepy Eye Public High School, North Dakota State University, Kingsland High School in Spring Valley and South Central College in Mankato all committed time and space. The Minnesota FFA Foundation and Minnesota FFA Alumni committed funds to keep participation fees as low as possible.
“I am thankful not only that we get to interact with FFA members in person but that we get to do it in a setting that lets us experience the local culture of so many of our partners and programs,” State FFA Secretary Nicole Koziolek shared. Whether seeing program highlights in Braham, getting hands-on career exploration in Staples or Willmar or celebrating Minnesota’s Agricultural Education Teacher of the Year in Sleepy Eye, events held throughout the state allowed the student leaders to experience the diverse achievements and opportunities available to Minnesota FFA members.
“Our goal is to provide an experience that lights the fire underneath FFA members again after a long period of time where almost every event felt like it was cancelled. We want students to return to the upcoming year eager to grab opportunities and lead their schools. We want them to know that it is okay to be excited, again… and we also want them to know that we all have some room for growth and we need to take responsibility for seizing those opportunities if we want them to happen.”
FFA members participated in activities focused on leading after difficulty, recruiting others, evaluating their chapter’s strengths and opportunities, recognizing opportunity, taking ownership of their attitude and levelling up their personal FFA experience.
This group of FFA members helped to inventory all of the school supplies for the United Way Backpack Project. Pictured l to r – Adam Johnson, Brooke Arneson, Morgan Hoffmann, Presley Bauer, Maddison Helget, Leisha Martinez, and Alex Joramo.
Each year, approximately 400 backpacks are filled with grade and school district appropriate school supplies and given to qualifying children throughout Brown County through the United Way Backpack Project.
Children in grades K-8 in Brown County who qualify for the free lunch program can participate in this program. United Way has teamed up with local school districts, the Salvation Army, BIC Graphic, Bank Midwest and many area businesses to make this opportunity available to families in the Brown County area.
Supplies that have been donated need to be sorted and inventoried to figure out which supplies still need to be purchased. The Sleepy Eye FFA had 11 volunteers come together to help sort the supplies at the New Ulm Event Center on Thursday, July 29. Our volunteers included: FFA members, our FFA advisors, and our Sleepy Eye Summer Ag. Program Intern. Later, after all of the supplies had been gathered, volunteers will help to pack the 400 backpacks for the students in need.
Thank you to the local businesses who helped collect donations in our communities this July for the project. Our FFA members are able to utilize United Way funds to help cover costs for FFA events throughout the year and we were happy to give back by helping out with this project!
Sleepy Eye FFA tours Nova-Tech, learning a bunch of new things about technology in Agriculture! Pictured l to r – Katlyn Romberg, Lee Wahlborg, Alexandria Confer, Gunny Coulson, Lucia Martinez, Emma Contreras-Ramirez, Sean Martin, Morgan Hoffmann, Winsten Nienhaus, Miah Brown, Alex Joramo, Mateo Moreno, Dallas Brazle, Alexys Odegard.
Written by: Leisha Martinez, Chapter Reporter
14 members of the Sleepy Eye FFA attended the Ag Tour Day on Tuesday, July 20, 2021. Students attending included: Dallas Brazle, Miah Brown, Alexandria Confer, Emma Contreras-Ramirez, Gunny Coulson, Morgan Hoffmann, Alex Joramo, Sean Martin, Lucia Martinez, Mateo Moreno, Winsten Nienhaus, Alexys Odegard, Katlyn Romberg, Lee Wahlborg. Advisors attending included: Mrs. Hoffmann, Ms. Emmett, and Ms. Cselovszki. Taylor Peck, summer intern, attended as well.
The first stop was Rustic Designs Flower Farm where they grow specialty cut flowers and offer seasonal inspired wedding designs and educational floral design classes. Rustic designs began in 2011 as a small flower farm and rug studio. Located in a rural central area between two small towns (Belgrade and New London) Rustic Designs Flower Farm offers flower subscriptions, summer picking hours, full wedding designs and setup, design classes, tours and wholesale specialty cuts.
The second stop on the tour day was Nova-Tech. Nova-Tech manufactures and engineers robotics systems that serve the agricultural industry across the globe. We are headquartered on the beautiful and historic MinnWest Technology campus in Willmar, MN. The Purpose for Nova Tech is to create revolutionary solutions that advance our customers’ ability to feed the world. The machines we saw in the making were for the poultry and shrimp industries.
The Louriston Dairy was the next stop, with 9500 dairy cows near Murdock, MN as part of the Riverview Dairy, LLP. The Mission: Providing a culture of opportunity for passionate people and innovative ideas. The Pillars: Integrity, Strong Work Ethic, Keep it Simple, Candor, Spirit of Humility. Over the years starting in the mid-70’s, the vision of an adaptable, integrated agricultural operation continued to grow as more dairy operations, beef feedlots, agronomy systems, and construction crews were added. Today, the company is predominantly owned by Riverview employees who strive to provide a respectful, ethical work environment, ensure animal health and comfort, enhance the productivity of the land, and add value to the communities in which we live and work.
The final stop was at Mr. B’s Chocolate in Willmar, MN. Mr. B’s is a Chocolate shop with four chocolatiers creating a variety of white, dark, and milk chocolate creations including: truffles, caramels, chocolate bars, and numerous chocolate treats and farm animal 3-D chocolates. Dwight Barnes, founder of Mr. B’s, insisted on the finest ingredients — raw chocolate imported from Belgium, homemade marzipan, cocoa butter from France, and dairy cream and butter from Minnesota. The master chocolatiers still use those same ingredients in each Mr. B’s confection. Barnes was also strict about using the process he learned in Belgium. No exceptions. No shortcuts.
It was a day filled with many new experiences and career opportunity pathways including: plant systems, animal systems, agribusiness systems, food products & processing, and power, structural, and technological systems. It is so important for students to know the broad fields and variety of careers available in agriculture.
The Sleepy Eye Summer Agricultural Education program has been busy over the months of June and July. Along with leadership and tour opportunities, short hands-on classes have been taking place at Sleepy Eye Public School.
Beginning on June 23rd and 25th, the first of the Summer Ag. Classes began including Nail Art and Welding. Also, in June, was a beginner Floriculture Course. Members learned and made their own projects including nail string art creations, small metal welded projects, and various floral arrangements and corsages.
In July, the courses included Cooking and Baking Classes. Through these courses, students learned a variety of cooking and baking techniques and made dishes from crepes to cookies, salads, side dishes, appetizers, and desserts.
Some courses were 2 days in length and some were 4. Total student enrollment for all of the classes so far was 74 in attendance.
The FFA members are continuing their involvement this summer with booths at Party in the Park, Farm Fest, and Corn Days, as well as county fair and more leadership opportunities.
Sophie Kyllonen made this hanging basket holder in welding class after learning how to wire feed weld and use the metal scroll bender.
Paige Haala (left) and Sam Price (right) show off their floriculture class projects they made.
Nayzeth Luna (left), Winsten Nienhaus (middle) and Leisha Martinez (right) were in the baking class and made these cookies along with other types of baked goods.
The cooking class made crepes for the first class. Here, Envy Morales, made this amazing dish with her condiments of strawberries, whip cream, bananas, Nutella, and more
Carmen Lendt attended the Nail String Art class and made this creation.
Mary Hoffmann, Sleepy Eye Ag. Teacher, is pictured with the Outstanding Ag. Ed. Teacher of the Year Trophy.
Numerous supporters made the trip to Moorhead for the MAAE Banquet where Mary Hoffmann received the Outstanding Ag. Ed. Teacher of the Year Award. Front- l to r: Carmen Lendt, Chapter Secretary; Morgan Hoffmann, daughter and Chapter President; Mary Hoffmann, Sleepy Eye Ag. Teacher; Cassidy Hoffmann, daughter and FFA member. Back- l to r: Taylor Peck, Summer Intern; John Cselovszki, School Superintendent; Katie Emmett, Sleepy Eye Ag. Teacher; McKenzie Cselovszki, Sleepy Eye Ag. Teacher; Dan Hoffmann, husband; Elizabeth Johnson, former student and Tracy Area Ag. Teacher; Harley Braun former student and Highland Park Ag. Teacher; and Keith Lendt, Sleepy Eye Ag. Advisory Board Member.
The Sleepy Eye Ag. teachers, Mary Hoffmann, McKenzie Cselovszki, and Katie Emmett, along wtih summer intern, Taylor Peck, attended the annual Minnesota Association of Agricultural Educators (MAAE) Conference in Moorhead, Minnesota July 6-9, 2021.
The four day professional development conference in Moorhead was attended by over 200 Agricultural Instructors from across the state of Minnesota and included teachers at the high school, post-secondary, and farm business management levels.
While at the conference, teachers attended many different professional development workshops, region meetings, and received updates from the Minnesota Department of Education, National FFA, and many others.
As a member of the MAAE State Fair Committee and National Agricultural Education Council, Hoffmann gave updates to the those in attendance on the work of the two committees.
During the MAAE Banquet, Hoffmann received the Minnesota Agricultural Educator of the Year Award. Hoffmann was selected as the winner of this award through her efforts in many different areas including: Teaching Philosophy, Instruction, Experiential Learning, Leadership Development, Partnerships, Marketing, and Professional Growth.
Hoffmann’s work in her classrooms and shop, helping FFA members to succeed and achieve their goals, success in writing grants for the Sleepy Eye Program as well as Minnesota Ag. teachers, and level of commitment and involvement to Minnesota and the National Ag. Teacher Organizations led to her being selected for this honor.
The Outstanding Ag. Ed. Teacher Award distinguishes MAAE members who are conducting the highest quality agricultural education programs. The award recognizes leadership in civic, community, agriculture/agribusiness and professional activities. Outstanding agricultural educators are innovators and catalysts for student success in agricultural education.
Hoffmann stated, “This has been quite a year for so many reasons! In a year when so many struggled, I chose to be flexible and kept finding ways to keep my students and FFA members engaged and helping in the community. I feel so blessed to have earned the trifecta of awards this year – being inducted into the FFA Hall of Fame, winning the WEM Outstanding Educator of the Year, and now this Ag. Ed. Teacher of the Year Award! The best part is, I am just truly doing what I love every day!”
“It was also super cool that Elizabeth Johnson won the Outstanding Early Career Teacher Award this year and that Harley and McKenzie, all previous students, were at the conference as Ag. Teachers!” adds Hoffmann.
The Sleepy Eye FFA members had a fun-filled day learning about many areas of agriculture in Southwestern Minnesota on the Regional Summer Ag Tour. Pictured in Austin, MN where the SPAM museum is located – Front (L-R): Sam Price, Hannah Meyer, Jimena Arroyo, Maria Galaviz-Camacho, Maddi Helget, Presley Bauer, Carmen Lendt, Nayzeth Luna, and Katelyn Capacia. Middle (L-R): Priscila Chuc-Feliciano, Angela Galaviz-Camacho, Miah Brown, Morgan Hoffmann, Lee Wahlborg, and Devyn Rempel. Back (L-R): Abigail Hornsby, Zach Ziegenhagen, Alex Joramo, Josh Sellner, Adam Johnson, Hailey Meinert, Gunny Coulson, and Jake Price.
By: Brooke Arneson, Chapter Reporter
On Tuesday, June 22, 23 FFA members visited a variety of businesses from the surrounding communities in order to learn about each business and the career opportunities within them. Mary Hoffmann, McKenzie Cselovszki, Katie Emmett (Sleepy Eye FFA Advisors), and Taylor Peck (Summer Ag Ed Intern) attended the tour as well.
The day started with a trip to Niagara Cave, located in Harmony, MN. Members toured the cave and were able to see the famous 60-foot waterfall, as well as stalagmites, stalactites, and even fossils. Students also learned about cave formations and the numerous careers that are in the geological field.
The next stop in the fun-filled day was the SPAM Museum, located in Austin, MN. Students were able to learn more about the history and origin of SPAM, as well as its place in world culture. Members were also educated in the way SPAM is produced and processed, along with the many job opportunities in the livestock industry.
Third, the trip included a trip to G & S Manufacturing, located in Courtland, MN. G & S Manufacturing is an industrial steel fabrication and welding shop. At this location, students got to see the various things that they make and how they use robotic machines to assist in the creation of their products. Workers also showed the students around their work area, and how they “revive” metal before it can be created into other products.
The day ended with a trip to the WOW Zone where members were able to enjoy pizza, bowling, and play laser tag. It was a fun way to end the day and was an opportunity to make even more memories with fellow FFA members.
Each year, Sleepy Eye FFA conducts this one-day tour in the summer with at least four area agriculture stops. This is a fantastic way for our members to gain first-hand knowledge of different aspects of agriculture locally and explore the various career pathways. From different geological formations, fabrication and welding of metals, and the processing of foods, the trip provided a vast range of numerous career opportunities in agriculture.
FFA Officers plan for the upcoming year! Front row- left to right: Presley Bauer, Brooke Arneson, Maddi Helget,Miah Brown, Katelyn Capacia, and Gracie Sellner. Back Row- left to right: Morgan Hoffman, Leisha Martinez, Isaac Lendt, Alex Joramo, Winsten Nienhaus, Adam Johnson, and Carmen Lendt.
By: Leisha Martinez, Chapter Reporter
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 Mrs. Hoffmann, Ms. Cselovszki and Ms. Emet, and summer intern Taylor Peck, covered a lot of business such as officer duties, the chapters budget, and team goals.
The 2021-22 Sleepy Eye Officer Team: President- Morgan Hoffmann, 1st Vice President- Maddi Helget, 2nd Vice President- Adam Johnson, Secretary- Carmen Lendt, Treasurer- Alex Joramo, Reporter- Leisha Martinez, Reporter- Brooke Arneson, Student Advisor- Presley Bauer, Student Advisor- Gracie Sellner, Historian- Katelyn Capacia, Historian- Miah Brown, Sentinel- Isaac Lendt, and Officer-at-Large- Winsten Nienhaus. 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. Some of the team goals include:
1- To complete 2000 service hours this year.
2- To have at least 35 high school and 30 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 chose a new motto for the coming year. The Sleepy Eye FFA 2021-22 motto is Where I Belong!
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 team was especially grateful for donations and sponsors this year because of the pandemic.
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 closed the day with a story that reminded them of the impact they as officers can have on other members. 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.
Twenty-four members from the Sleepy Eye FFA Chapter attended Timberland Leadership Camp June 15th-18th, along with the Sleepy Eye Advisors and other helpers. Pictured left to right: First Row- McKenzie Cselovszki (Advisor), Winsten Nienhaus, Katelyn Capacia, Gracie Sellner, Leisha Martinez, Carmen Lendt, Kyla Capacia, Shelby Hertling, and Mary Hoffmann (Advisor). Second Row- Taylor Peck (Summer Ag. Intern), Nayzeth Luna, Presley Bauer, Maddi Helget, Morgan Hoffmann, Miah Brown, Brooke Arneson, Emma Contreras-Ramirez, Cristal Joy Schmidtknecht, and Katie Emmett (Advisor).Third Row- Isaac Lendt, Alex Joramo, Adam Johnson, Zach Ziegenhagen, Gunny Coulson, Lee Wahlborg, Marcus Martinez, and Abigail Hornsby.
By: Brooke Arneson, Chapter Reporter
Twenty-four Sleepy Eye FFA members traveled to Sibley State Park, near New London, from June 15th-18th. Sleepy Eye FFA Advisors, Mary Hoffmann, McKenzie Cselovszki, and Katie Emmett, the Sleepy Eye Summer Intern, Taylor Peck, along with several members from the Tracy and Marshall FFA chapters, attended the camp.
The Sleepy Eye Advisors, along with Region and State Officers, and the Summer Intern do all of the programming, activities, and food for the camp for the week.
While at the leadership camp, FFA members got to experience many things including: get to know each other activities, a hike to Mount Tom, survival in the forest, escape room, archery, and sessions about goals and the various opportunities in FFA.
Camp-goers learned about different activities that other FFA chapters do and different things in FFA that they can become involved in, such as, Career Development Events (CDE’s) and Supervised Agricultural Experiences (SAE’s). Teamwork was an important topic members learned about at the camp. Members of each chapter conducted their own ceremonies as they raised and lowered the flag each day at camp. Campers could also swim, play volleyball and nine square, or try other fun activities in their free time.
Camp members were joined by the State FFA President, Emily Matejka from Martin County West, the State Reporter, Anna Ridenour from Triton, and Past State Vice-President, Emilee Xayanourom from Mountain Lake. The Region officers in attendance were Devyn Rempel, Morgan Hoffmann, Marissa Johnson, and Adam Hicks. They led sessions with activities regarding FFA opportunities and how to use your own personal qualities to contribute to a team.
On the last night of the camp, a banquet was held by the newly elected camp officers. The camp officers from Sleepy Eye included Cristal Joy Schmidtknecht, Camp Reporter and Shelby Hertling, Camp Historian. Following the banquet, FFA members gathered for the camp talent show, minute-to-win it games, and finally, a dance.
Timberland Leadership Camp was a fantastic opportunity for all who attended. Camp-goers will be forever grateful for the opportunity to meet new people, create new friendships, grow personally, try new things, set goals, and find out more about what FFA has to offer.
