Thirteen FFA Members Compete in Agriscience Fair

20250321Agriscience Fair — The Sleepy Eye FFA 8th & 11th graders who competed in the State Agriscience Fair included: front, l to r – Kaylie Fulmer, Natalie Fulmer, Alex Confer, Arianna Hernandez, Mia Walter. back, l to r – Carsten Nienhaus, Karina Martinez, Ella Arkins, Kaylynn Como, Anders Coulson, Jaxon Saenz. Not pictured: Alannah Urbano and Cassie Muehlbauer.

The Roland Peterson Agriculture Education Science Fair was held on March 13, 2025 at the University of Minnesota, St. Paul Campus. The Minnesota FFA Association uses this invitational as the Minnesota FFA’s Agriscience Fair. The highest-ranking FFA member or team of members with an agricultural project will advance to the national competition.

The Agriscience Fair recognizes student researchers studying the application of agricultural scientific principles and emerging technologies in agricultural enterprises. The Agriscience fair is for middle and high school students. Participation begins at the local level and progresses to state and national levels.

Agriscience Fair Divisions:

Students can compete in the National Agriscience Fair as an individual or with a team.

Division 1 – individual member in grades 7 and 8
Division 2 – team of two members in grades 7 and 8
Division 3 – individual member in grades 9 and 10
Division 4 – team of two members in grades 9 and 10
Division 5 – individual member in grades 11 and 12
Division 6 – team of two members in grades 11 and 12

Our students participated in the Animal Systems, Plant Systems and Food Products and Processing Systems Categories; Divisions 1-5. For the plant systems, this could include: the study of plant life cycles, classifications, functions, structures, reproduction, media and nutrients, as well as growth and cultural practices, through the study of crops, turfgrass, trees and shrubs, and/or ornamental plants. The Animal Systems Categories encompassed: life processes, health, nutrition, genetics, management and processing, through the study of small animals, aquaculture, livestock, dairy, horses and/or poultry. Food Products and Processing Systems Categories encompassed: the study of product development, quality assurance, food safety, production, regulation and compliance, and food service within the food science industry.

The eighth grade students did these projects as part of the curriculum for the Ag. 8 course with Mr. Hendrickx. Alex Confer has participated every year since her eighth grade year due to her interest in science. The individuals and groups that were named in the Top 3 at state include: Division 1 – Kaylie Fulmer (Plant Systems). Division 2 Alannah Urbano and Cassie Muehlbauer (Animal Systems), Natalie Fulmer and Karina Martinez (Plant Systems), Kaylynn Como and Mia Walter (Plant Systems) and Anders Coulson and Jaxon Saenz (Food Products and Processing Systems). Division 5 – Alex Confer (Plant Systems). They will find out the final results on stage at the State FFA Convention in late April.

To qualify for the National Agriscience Fair students must:

Be in grades 7 – 12.
Conduct a scientific research project pertaining to the agriculture and food science industries and present their findings to a panel of judges with a report.
Be selected as the state winner at their state Agriscience Fair.
Be selected as one of the top 12 in their respective category and division.

The Agriscience Fair is a great opportunity for students to not only learn about research skills, but also showcase their writing and verbal communication skills to judges with the in-person presentation of their projects. Good luck to all of these individual.