40 Sleepy Eye FFA Members worked at the Kiddy Barn during shifts at the Brown County Fair. This is the crew from Wednesday night. Pictured l to r – front: Jace Schauman, Karina Martinez, Daniel Armstrong, Anders Coulson, Noah Rossbach, Carter Lazatin, Breanna Lopez, Madi Martinez, Nora Coulson, Camryn Maher, Kenedi Wersal. Back: Eric Lozano, Mateo Hornsby, James Moore, Robert Romberg, Kayden Klein, Logan Ludewig, Jaelynn Schauman, Charlie Hoffmann.

Isaac Lendt (right), of the Sleepy Eye FFA, earned all Corn Champions and Overall Best in Show in the Crop Show at the Brown County Fair. He is pictured with Noah Rossbach (left), Chapter Treasurer.

Nathan Rathman, of the Sleepy Eye FFA, earned the Overall Best in Show for Ag. Mechanics at the Brown County Fair with his Horse Shoe Tire Rim Fire Pit.

Winsten Nienhaus, Sleepy Eye Member, earned the Best in Show Poultry Exhibit Award at the FFA Show at the Brown County Fair as well as Reserve Overall for rabbits.

Leah Kucera of the Sleepy Eye FFA Chapter was the Overall High Point Exhibitor for the Horse Show at the Brown County Fair.

Sleepy Eye FFA chapter members had many different roles at the 2024 Brown County Fair from August 7-11.  The members showcased their crop, mechanics, Ag. literacy, and livestock projects and also helped run the FFA Kiddy Barnyard and FFA shows at the Brown County Fair.

Livestock exhibitors included: Dairy- Rachel, Jared, and Dustin Portner. Beef- Elsie Trebesch, Ethan Feucht, Jasmine Petermann.  Poultry- Winsten and Carsten Nienhaus. Sheep- Elsie Trebesch. Swine- Ethan Feucht. Rabbit- Winsten and Carsten Nienhaus. Horse- Mia Walter, Millie Lax, Leah and Nolan Kucera, Sydney Zarn, Kaylie Piehl, Kenedi Wersal.

The Sleepy Eye FFA chapter was very successful with their projects. Our members earned a total of $2888 in FFA premium money at the Brown County Fair this year for exhibiting all of these projects. The following are their placings and the resulting champions for exhibitors at the Brown County Fair.

 Crops Champions

Ear Corn: Champion – Isaac Lendt

Ear Corn: Reserve Champion – Alex Confer

Shelled Corn: Champion – Isaac Lendt

Shelled Corn: Reserve Champion – Jasmine Petermann

Soybeans: Champion – Logan Mack

Soybeans: Reserve Champion – Jose Castorena

Oats: Champion – Oliver Trebesch

Oats: Reserve Champion – JP Montemayor

Winter Wheat: Champion – Gavin Fischer

Winter Wheat: Reserve Champion – Wyatt Feucht

Spring Wheat: Champion – Wyatt Feucht

Spring Wheat: Reserve Champion – Oliver Trebesch

Miscellaneous: Champion – Makayla Strong

Miscellaneous: Reserve Champion – Cassie Muehlbauer

Organic Ear Corn: Champion – Jasmine Petermann

Organic Shelled Corn: Champion – Jasmine Petermann

Organic Shelled Corn: Reserve Champion – Jasmine Petermann

Organic Soybeans: Champion – Makayla Strong

Organic Soybeans: Reserve Champion – Ava Sellner

Organic Oats: Champion – Alex Confer

Organic Oats: Reserve Champion – Jasmine Petermann

Organic Wheat: Champion – Ethan Feucht

Organic Wheat: Reserve Champion – Jasmine Petermann

Ag Literacy:

Animal Science Grades 7-9

Champion – Laylana Hoffmann

Reserve Champion – Mia Walter

Leadership Grades 7-9

Champion – Jace Schauman

Reserve Champion – Megan Sellner

Plant Science Grades 7-9

Champion – Natalie Fulmer

Reserve Champion – Jaxon Saenz

Plant Science Grades 10-12

Champion – Emma Weilage (Overall Best in Show)

Reserve Champion – Kyle Capacia

Natural Resources and Environmental Systems Grades 7-9

Champion – Ethan Feucht

Reserve Champion – Elsie Trebesch

 Natural Resources and Environmental Systems Grades 10-12

Champion – Gavin Strong

Reserve Champion – Noemi Rodriguez

 Animal Science Grades 10-12

Champion – Kadence Hesse

Reserve Champion – Kadence Lund

Food Products and Processing Grades 10-12

Champion – Jose Castorena

Reserve Champion – Kadence Lund

Ag Mechanics:

Electrification

Champion – Nathan Rathman

Reserve Champion – Katalina Gonzalez

Metals:

Small Project

Champion – Brayden Suess

Medium Project

Champion – Kamille Capacia

Reserve Champion – Makayla Strong

Small Decorative Project

Champion – Kennedy Braun

Reserve Champion – Cameron Schottle

Medium Decorative Project

Champion – Logan Mack

Reserve Champion – Caden Evers

Large Decorative Project

Champion – Nathan Rathman (Overall Best in Show)

Reserve Champion – Cameron Moore

Multi Class/Other:

Small Project

Champion – Carsten Nienhaus

Reserve Champion – Arianna Hernandez

 Medium Project

Champion – Ari Krzmarzick

Reserve Champion – Logan Ludewig

 Large Project

Champion – Jasmine Petermann

Reserve Champion – Winsten Nienhaus

Wood Working:

Small Project

Champion – Jared Trebesch

Reserve Champion – Caleb Suess

Medium Project

Champion – Manuelle Poplow

Reserve Champion – Jared Trebesch

Large Project

Champion – Ari Krzmarzick

Reserve Champion – Logan Ludewig

LIVESTOCK RESULTS

FFA Beef: Breeding Beef

Reserve Champion – Jasmine Petermann

FFA Poultry:

Chickens Overall Champion, Best in Show – Winsten Nienhaus

Ducks

Reserve Champion – Carsten Nienhaus

 FFA Rabbit:

Large Breed Champion, Reserve Overall Best in Show – Winsten Nienhaus

FFA Sheep:

Reserve Champion Ewe Lamb – Elsie Trebesch

The FFA chapters within Brown County also conducted the FFA Kiddy Barn during the five days of the fair. It was a huge success thanks to the many FFA members from Sleepy Eye, Springfield, and New Ulm who worked shifts during the fair as well as the people who donated animals for the Kiddy Barn. 40 members of the Sleepy Eye FFA Chapter participated in helping children have a great experience with baby animals and learning about farm safety and agriculture while at the fair.

The FFA Kiddy Barnyard exhibited newborn farm animals donated by several families including:  Spring Creek Dairy (Holstein Calf), Port Haven Dairy (Brown Swiss Calf), Alex Schroeder (Ayrshire Calf), and Cold Creek Farms (Piglets), Runnings (Chicks).

The FFA Kiddy Barnyard also had an agriculture coloring & activity station as well as a safety carnival. At the safety carnival, FFA members conducted several games with safety questions covering grain, ATV’s, tractors & machinery, animals, and chemicals. The members of the Sleepy Eye chapter had a great time teaching youth at the Kiddy Barnyard about animals and safety as well as showcasing their FFA projects during the Brown County Fair.

This is one of the four groups of Sleepy Eye FFA members that helped out at Farmfest during the week. Pictured l to r – front: Alex Confer, Karina Martinez, Anna Johnson, Clark Lazatin, Noah Rossbach, Carter Lazatin. Back: Charlie Hoffmann, Eric Lozano, Robert Romberg, Colton Romberg, Kayden Klein, Daniel Armstrong, James Moore, Cameron Moore.

From August 6th through August 8th, FFA members from Sleepy Eye traveled to Farmfest to teach youth and families about various farm safety topics. Set up for the event was August 5th which included putting up the tent and setting up the nine safety stations.

The following 28 members helped with setting up and conducting activities for the week: Karina Martinez, Kenley Jensen, Ari Krzmarzick, Lucia Martinez Paredes, Thomas Gent, Alex Confer, Ethan Feucht, Clark Lazatin, James Moore, Taylor Berkner, Noah Rossbach, Carter Lazatin, Eric Lozano, Cameron Moore, Kailey Fulmer, Natalie Fulmer, Ella Arkins, Colton Romberg, Robert Romberg, Jace Schauman, Jaelynn Schauman, Kayden Klein, Daniel Armstrong, Anna Johnson, Charlie Hoffmann, Mateo Hornsby, Ava Sellner, Logan Ludewig.

FFA advisors, Mary Hoffmann, Katie Emmett, and Paul Hendrickx also attended the event along with summer intern Morgan Hoffmann. Throughout the three days that FFA members were present at Farmfest, they were able to educate over 1716 youth and their families.

The Sleepy Eye FFA worked with the RedBrownVille Farm Safety for Just Kids chapter which includes members from three counties and sponsorship from AgCountry Farm Credit Services, Farmward/Ag. Quest, Kibble Equipment, Redwood Area Chamber Ag. Committee, and IDEAg.

The name Farm Safety for Just Kids is a collaboration of Redwood, Brown, and Renville counties who have worked together since 2006 to help inform and prevent injuries and accidents on the farm and around machinery, making the farm a safer place by showing kids the danger of certain situations.

The youth who attended had the opportunity to play nine safety games/demonstrations including Pinch Points (Chains and Belts), Tractor Safety, Auger Safety, Wheel of Misfortune, Plinko (Farm Safety Trivia), Bridged Grain, Gravity Wagon Safety, Chemical Safety, and Tug of War with Grain.

Each kid was given a card that was then marked off at every station. When they had finished going to each station, they were given prizes. The prizes included: water bottles, cinch bags, coloring books, pencils, flashlights, and more.

Sleepy Eye FFA worked alongside the Wabasso, Redwood Valley, and Tracy FFA Chapters. All of the members who volunteered their time at the safety carnival successfully helped inform youth while also making it a fun experience for those who attended.

If you would like to be a part of Farm Safety Just for Kids feel free to contact Mary Hoffmann, FFA advisor at Sleepy Eye Public School

Ari Krizmarzick (left) and Carter Lazatin (right) attended the Summer Welding Class to further develop their MIG and Stick welding skills.

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 July 22nd, the first of the Summer Ag. Classes began including Cooking and Baking. Through these courses, students learned a variety of cooking and baking techniques and made dishes from crepes to cookies, breakfast and desserts.

Beginning on July 23rd, the Summer Welding Class began. In this course, students learned about MIG Welding Safety and Techniques. After making their first weld, students practiced in order to make welding beads and welding joints including butt, lap, and T with different thicknesses of metal. Some students also learned how to Stick Weld and practice those techniques as well.

It is so great for FFA members to come in during the summer to learn new skills or to further develop the skills they have! 40 different students participated in all of the summer classes.

The FFA members will be continuing their involvement this summer with booths at Farmfest and Summerfest, as well as taking projects to the county and state fair.

The Sleepy Eye FFA members had a fun-filled day of learning on the Summer Ag Tour. Pictured at CHS baseball field, Home of the St. Paul Saints is front, l to r: Travis Mages, Noah Rossbach, Carsten Nienhaus, Kaytlyn Romberg, Ruby Tauer, Aranza Tovar, Kenedi Wersal, Camryn Maher. Back: Emerson Johnson, Zack Dominguez, Colton Romberg, Ari Krzmarzick, Kayden Klein, Robert Romberg, James Moore, Cameron Moore, Jaden Stone, Michael Pool, Ella Arkins, Karina Martinez.

On Monday, July 15, 20 FFA members visited a variety of places from the surrounding communities in order to learn about each and the career opportunities within them. Paul Hendrickx and Katie Emmett (Sleepy Eye FFA Advisors), and Morgan Hoffmann (Summer Assistant) attended the tour as well.

The day started with a trip to CHS Field, a baseball park in downtown Saint Paul, Minnesota. It is home to the St. Paul Saints of the International League of Minor League Baseball, as well as Hamline University’s baseball team. Students learned about the field, its history, and about turf management and careers associated in this industry.

Next, the group traveled to the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden. The garden showcases more than 40 works from the Walker Art Center’s collections, including the iconic Spoonbridge and Cherry, The sculptures are from artists from 10 different countries worldwide and the area attracts more than 700,000 visitors per year. Seeing how different forms of art are made and seeing how welding is used in art is a great connection to skills learned in the agriculture classes.

The third tour was to Minnehaha Falls. Minnehaha Falls is a wilderness waterfall in an urban setting. Overlooking the Mississippi River, Minnehaha Park is one of Minneapolis’ oldest and most popular parks, attracting over 850,000 visitors annually. This was a stop focusing on Natural Resources and Forestry. The park contains oak, elm, silver maple, basswood, hackberry and cottonwood trees, as well as native and prairie woodland wildflowers.

Next, was a quick stop at the World’s Largest Candy Store. This store, which is as long as a football field in length, is home to over 3000 varieties of candies, including rare and imported sweets. Ms. Emmett even found some Irish treat essentials while in the store.

The final tour was to Schmidt Farm. The Schmidt family, including Sarah, Aubree, Kate, and Britta informed the students about livestock. Members learned about swine feed rations and beef genetics as well as how to care for, feed, and show these animals.

The day ended with supper provided by FFA and volleyball in the school gym. Each year, Sleepy Eye FFA conducts one-day tours in the summer with at least three educational stops. This is a fantastic way for our members to gain first-hand knowledge of different aspects of careers and explore the various career pathways and places around the state of Minnesota. From turf grass management to the metal art to the farm, the trip provided a range of numerous career opportunities and aspects of agriculture.

The Sleepy Eye FFA Officer Team is so thankful for the $5000 FFA Alumni and Supporters Give Back to Your Roots Grant sponsored by Nutrien Ag Solutions. It will help the chapter to continue to offer affiliate membership and allow FFA access to all Sleepy Eye Ag. Students. Pictured l to r: front – Jace Schauman, Alex Confer, Jaelynn Schauman, Taylor Berkner, Anna Johnson, Lucia Martinez, Lily Kallevig. Back – Carter Lazatin, Eric Lozano, Kayden Klein, Ari Krzmarzick, Logan Ludewig, Charlie Hoffmann, Noah Rossbach.

INDIANAPOLIS July 10, 2024/National FFA Organization –The National FFA Organization awarded a $5000 FFA Alumni and Supporters Give Back to Your Roots Grant to Sleepy Eye FFA Alumni. The Sleepy Eye FFA Alumni plans to use the funds to provide access to FFA and all its opportunities for 100% of Ag. Students by being an affiliated chapter in 2024-25. This will allow all members to attend FFA events and participate.

More than $90,000 in grants, supported by Nutrien Ag Solutions, has been awarded through the National FFA Organization’s FFA Alumni and Supporters Give Back to Your Roots Grant program this year. The purpose of the grants is to cover the cost of the FFA student chapter affiliation fees, assist with plant science-based educational opportunities/equipment and supervised agricultural experience programs or help purchase necessary supplies and materials for the local agricultural education program.

The National FFA Organization provides leadership, personal growth, and career success training through agricultural education to 945,988 student members who belong to one of 9,163 local FFA chapters in all 50 states and Puerto Rico. The organization is also supported by 725,289 alumni members in 2,550 alumni and supporters chapters.