Sixteen Sleepy Eye Members had a blast on the South Dakota Summer Ag. Tour Adventure! The members that attended Summer Ag Tour include (from left to right): Makayla Strong, Kenedi Wersal, Noah Rossbach, Camryn Maher, Dawson Friton, Paola Gonzalez, Ari Krzmarzick, Carter Lazatin, Cameron Moore, Lily Kallevig, Jacob Moore, Alex Confer, Noah Christensen, Ruby Tauer, Emerson Johnson, and Zack Dominguez.

FFA members from Southern Minnesota participated in the Summer Ag Tour, June 24th through the 26th. 16 Sleepy Eye members attended this trip with FFA advisors, Katie Emmett and Paul Hendrickx, as well as members and advisors from the Tracy and Mountain Lake FFA Chapters. Also, the intern for the summer, Morgan Hoffmann, attended the Ag. Tour.

The students started out their trip by exploring the Corn Palace in Mitchell, SD.  The Corn Palace is redecorated each year with naturally colored corn and other grains and native grasses to make it “the agricultural show-place of the world”. They currently use 12 different colors or shades of corn to decorate the Corn Palace. A different theme is chosen each year, and murals are designed to reflect that theme.

Next, the group went to tour the Mitchell Prehistoric Indian Village. The Preservation Society was formed in 1975 to preserve the site. Their mission statement is to promote an understanding of the first people to inhabit this region by developing, preserving and exhibiting a significant collection and archaeological site. They are able to work all year around in the comfort of the Archeodome. The students were able to go into the Archeodome where the laboratory and exhibits are found.

The highlight of the evening was going to Mt. Rushmore. Just seeing the majestic figures of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln on that mountain is a feeling you almost can’t describe. Learning about how it was “made” and it becoming a National monument was really interesting.

The second day was filled with more learning and excitement. The first stop of the day was at the Badlands. Seeing and climbing through the geologic formations was a really great experience. The Badlands draw visitors from around the world and these striking geologic deposits contain one of the world’s richest fossil beds.

Next, we took a drive through Custer State Park. The park encompasses 71,000 acres in the Black Hills of South Dakota. The students saw the granite peaks and rolling plains as well as the buffalo herd, and took a small hike.

Following Custer, the group headed to Cosmos Mystery Area. The Cosmos of the Black Hills was discovered by two college boys looking for a place to build a summer cabin. When they entered this area, they discovered something was off. The area is topsey turvey and the laws of nature don’t seem to apply. You have to visit the mystery house yourself to understand the whole experience.

The final day of the tour began with a drive through and a visit to Bear Country USA. There was a three-mile drive through several enclosures where we encountered black bear, elk, reindeer, deer, cougars, bobcats, rocky mountain goats, bighorn sheep, dall sheep, pronghorn and buffalo. At the end of the drive, students were able to visit an area with baby bears, wolves, otters, and more.

Next, was a quick stop at Wall Drug as the group was starting their trip back home. Wall Drug consists of a collection of cowboy-themed stores, including gift shops, and several options for eating as well as an art gallery and an 80-foot dinosaur sculpture.

The supper stop was an experience in itself. The group ate at the Carnaval Brazilian Grill and were able to learn about Brazilian roasting & serving techniques. Originating in Southern Brazil, the style of service they offer is the tableside carving of rotisserie cooked meats by their Gauchos.

The final stop of the South Dakota Adventure Tour was the Sioux Falls Candy Cloud Factory. The Candy Cloud Factory has fresh cotton candy, SDSU ice cream, popcorn, and a Candy Shop full of over 130 types of new and nostalgic candies.

  The Summer Ag Tour is an amazing trip and fun opportunity for FFA members to take advantage of. Students were able to learn more about the numerous parks and tourist adventures of South Dakota. “We want to thank our Ag. and FFA Program Boosters for their support of the trip as we realize it would be too expensive for our members to pay this on our own,” says FFA advisor Katie Emmett.

Caption- The Sleepy Eye FFA members had a fun-filled day of learning on the Summer Ag Tour. Pictured at Niagra Cave- l to r, front: Ruby Tauer, Kaiya Confer, Alex Confer, Lily Kallevig, Charlie Hoffmann, Michael Pool, Paola Gonzalez, Breanna Lopez, Ava Sellner, Ari Krzmarzick.  Back: Travis Mages, Cameron Moore, Carsten Nienhaus, Ethan Feucht, Kenedi Wersal, Allanah Urbano, Camryn Maher, Ella Arkins, Emerson Johnson, Jacob Moore. Not pictured: Zack Dominguez and Karina Martinez.

On Thursday, June 13, 22 FFA members visited a variety of places from the surrounding communities in order to learn about each and the career opportunities within them. Mary Hoffmann, Paul Hendrickx, Katie Emmett (Sleepy Eye FFA Advisors), and Morgan Hoffmann (Summer Assistant) attended the tour as well.

The day started with a  trip to Niagra Cave. Niagara Cave is a limestone cave located in Harmony, Minnesota. The cave is approximately 200 feet deep; features include an underground stream, 60-foot waterfall, fossils, stalactites and stalagmites.

Next, the group traveled to the SPAM Museum in Austin, Minnesota. The museum tells the history of the Hormel Company, the origin of Spam, and its place in world culture.

The third tour was to G & S Manufacturing, a metal fabrication company in Courtland, Minnesota. G&S Manufacturing, LLC is a family owned and operated company since 1994. Their goal is to provide customers with a quality product in a timely manner on structural steel, metal fabrication and/or production runs.

The day ended with a trip to the WOW Zone where members were able to enjoy pizza, bowling, and play laser tag and mini golf. 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 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. From different geological formations to the metal fab shop, the trip provided a range of numerous career opportunities.

Caption: Forty-three members from the Sleepy Eye FFA Chapter attended Timberland Leadership Camp June 3rd-6th, along with the Sleepy Eye Advisors and the Minnesota State FFA Officers. Pictured left to right: Front Row- Emma Braford (State Vice President), Kaylie Fulmer, Laylana Hoffmann, Abigail Krzmarzick, Lucia Martinez, Alex Confer, Lily Kallevig, Paola Gonzalez, Taylor Berkner, Jace Schauman, Jaelynn Schauman, Chloe Okerman, Karina Martinez, Torri Gunderson (State Sentinel), Kamille Capacia, Ruby Tauer, Cole Sundeen (State Treasurer). Middle: Mrs. Hoffmann, Lauren Stoel (State President), Kaiya Grossman (State Secretary), Sam Rodriguez, Kaiya Confer, Anna Johnson, Aranza Tovar Garces, Breanna Lopez, Megan Sellner, Madi Martinez, Makayla Strong, Kenley Jensen, Ava Sellner, Natalie Fulmer, Elsie Trebesch, Eric Lozano, Natalie Clemenson (State Reporter), Mr. Hendrickx, Ms. Emmett. Back row: Emerson Johnson, Zack Dominguez, Mateo Hornsby, Noah Christensen, Carsten Nienhaus, Jose Castorena, Cameron Moore, Kayden Klein, Logan Ludewig, Dawson Friton, Charlie Hoffmann, Ari Krzmarzick, Noah Rossbach, Carter Lazatin, Ethan Feucht. Not pictured: Ellie Rosales.

  Forty-three Sleepy Eye FFA members traveled to Sibley State Park, near New London, from June 3^rd-6^th, 2024. Sleepy Eye FFA Advisors, Mary Hoffmann, Katie Emmett, and Paul Hendrickx; Camp Assistants, Morgan Hoffmann and Katalina Gonzalez; along with several members from the Tracy, Marshall, Mt. Lake, Springfield, and Miami East (Ohio) FFA chapters, attended the camp.

The Chapter Advisors, along with State Officers, 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, teamwork activities, survival in the forest, archery, and sessions about writing 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 entire 2024-25 State FFA Officer Team. 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: Jose Castorena, Chloe Okerman, Kenley Jensen, Ava Sellner, Elsie Trebesch, Kamille Capacia, Paola Gonzalez, Karina Martinez, and Natalie Fulmer. 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.

Members of the Sleepy Eye FFA Chapter went to the Sleepy Eye Rehabilitation Center and Countryside to wrap up the year of the Adopt-a-Senior Program. Pictured l to r – front: Alex Confer, Charlie Hoffmann, Lucia Martinez, Carter Lazatin, Karina Martinez, Jaelynn Schauman. Middle: Anna Johnson, Ruby Tauer, Kamille Capacia, Laylana Hoffmann, Camryn Maher, Kenedi Wersal, Nora Coulson, Natalie Fulmer, Kaylie Fulmer, Santi Martinez, Jace Schauman. Back: Noah Rossbach, Zack Dominguez, Logan Ludewig, Ari Krzmarzick, Kayden Klein, Eric Lozano, Taylor Berkner, Lily Kallevig, Anders Coulson, Jaden Stone. Not pictured: Abigail Krzmarzick.

The end of the year is a time to wrap up the Adopt-a-Senior Program for FFA members. We had a get-together for the Adopt-a-Senior Program where we went to the Sleepy Eye Rehabilitation Center and Countryside to play bingo with the residents on Thursday, May 30, 2024.

77 FFA members participated in the Adopt-a-Senior program from the beginning of the school year by making cards each month for “senior” residents in the community through the Adopt-a-Senior Program. Members also painted pumpkins in the fall and made XL Valentine posters in February for the residents.

The purpose of this project is to help members connect with a different generation and learn to appreciate the relationships they can make. FFA teaches students to reach out and give more of themselves to others by being involved in the Adopt-A-Senior Program.

At the event, the FFA members helped residents at the Rehabilitation Center and at Countryside they called out the Bingo numbers. FFA also brought all of the prizes for the residents at both facilities. All the members and residents finished with smiles on their faces. This program will continue to thrive and grow within the Sleepy Eye community in future years.

• Valedictorian Award Noah Simonsen