South Dakota FFA Updates
Published June 24, 2026
State Staff Contacts
- Caroline Hansen, Leadership & Program Manager
- caroline.hansen@sdaged.org
- 605-380-7308
- Wyatt DeJong, Executive Secretary
- wyatt.dejong@sdaged.org
- 605-842-5683
- Audra Scheel, Executive Secretary
- audra.scheel@sdaged.org
- 605-545-0402
- Mercedes Snedeker, State Advisor
- mercedes.snedeker@state.sd.us
- 605-295-4446
New Mailing Address
With Audra's transition, we have a new mailing address for Checks and Payments! Please update your information and let your schools know to send those to:
SD FFA Association
c/o Audra Scheel
PO Box 82
Alpena, SD 57312
- July 6: Camp t-shirt orders due
- July 14: National FFA Band and Choir Applications due
Upcoming Dates
- June 29-July 2: West River Leadership Retreat
- July 26-29: SDACTE Summer Conference/District Officer Retreat
- September 2-7: SD State Fair
Leadership Retreat T-Shirts
We have had a huge response to this year's leadership retreat t-shirts so we've decided to place a second order for them that will be delivered during SDACTE Conference in July! If you'd like to order one, they are $20 each. Please fill out the below google form by July 6th at Noon CT!
Leadership Retreat Information
Health & Photo Consent Forms are REQUIRED for all members!
Health Forms and Student Packing Lists can be found here: https://www.sdaged.org/leadership
West River Schedule
Location: Storm Mountain Center (23740 Storm Mountain Rd, Rapid City, SD 57702)
Earliest Arrival: Monday, June 29 at 6pm
Camp Begins: Monday, June 29 at 7:30pm
Mt. Rushmore Visit: Tuesday, June 30 (depart at 7:30pm)
Camp Concludes: Thursday, July 2 at 11:45am
National Convention Ag Ed Invitational
Deadline to submit July 17th!
The National Agricultural Education Invitational enables FFA members to explore the career field of Agricultural Education. Members are provided an opportunity to practice teaching skills, comprehend methods and teaching behaviors, follow a lesson plan, provide feedback to members, foster leadership and communication skills, and promote agricultural education.
Each State may send 1 participant. The deadline to apply to be SD's representative is Friday, July 17th! Submit a lesson plan, following the National rules linked below, to Caroline by 11:59pm on the 17th! The accepted individual and advisor will be notified by August 1st.
National Convention Updates
https://convention.ffa.org/
- Band and Choir Applications Now Available; Deadline Tuesday, July 14
- https://convention.ffa.org/band-chorus-talent/
- Each National FFA Band, Chorus or Talent application requires (4) items:
- Online application
- $40 non-refundable application fee
- Recorded audition
Advisor Approval
- Additional Information Documents located here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1pVjcgQ8E8EselUV1RcddXos0fRYBOsqK?usp=sharing
- Lucas Oil Stadium Clear Bag Policy
- You may still bring your personal backpacks, bags, boxes, and other items into the Convention Center only. However, any bags such as plastic bags, totes, cinch bags, or backpacks will not be allowed into Lucas Oil Stadium for sessions if they are not clear. This includes any shopping bags collected at the convention center! Please plan ahead and plan accordingly!
Future State Convention Dates
The 2027 State FFA Convention will be held April 18-20, 2027.
- District Reporting Forms Due March 31st
- Lottery Names released April 1st
- Registration due April 2nd
The 2028 State FFA Convention will be held April 23-25, 2028!
Additional Opportunities
Not Sponsored by SD FFA; sharing as a courtesy
Day County Conservation District Lake & Stream Ecology and Water Quality Workshop
- The Day County Conservation District will be hosting our Lake and Stream Ecology and Water Quality Workshop on Enemy Swim Lake July 21-23, 2026. Participants will learn about basic limnology and bioassessment of lakes and streams. Educators in the science and agriculture fields can earn 1.3 CEUs for the 2 day workshop or 2.0 CEUs or 1 Credit Hour for the 3-day workshop. Costs to attend the workshop are $35 for the 2-day option and $50 for the 3-day option. This cost includes meals, lodging, and materials.
- Contact: Cory Zirbel, cory.zirbel@sd.nacdnet.net
Updates from the SD FFA Foundation
- Online Auction Date set for September 16th. If you have ideas for donations, please send them to Gerri.
- Seeking sponsors for SD State Fair livestock showmanship awards. Please send ideas or contacts to Gerri.
Updates from National FFA
Congratulations 2026-27 Teacher Ambassadors for FFA
Join us in celebrating the outstanding educators selected as National Teacher Ambassadors for FFA for the 2026-27 term. Learn more about the National Teacher Ambassadors for FFA program here.
Plant the Moon: A National FFA Endorsed Activity
Plant the Moon: Summer Lab was created as a more flexible spinoff of the official Plant the Moon Challenge. While the flagship program is more structured and competitive for use in classrooms, Summer Lab is about getting anyone and everyone involved in this citizen science experiment. You set your own pace and timeline, choose your group size, and run your project your own way, which is what makes it an ideal fit for a wide range of settings.
Program of Activities Guide: 2025 National Chapter Awards
The Program of Activities Guide: 2025 National Chapter Awards is now available. This guide can help your chapter define goals, map out the steps to achieve them, and build a solid calendar of events for the year ahead. Whether you're planning big or starting small, this guide is a great go-to tool for a successful year. Go check it out and start planning!
National FFA is Seeking Judges Like You!
FFA is looking for volunteers to help continue providing life‑changing opportunities for our members. If you could share the following with potential judges, we’d be most appreciative! (And don’t forget, you can also volunteer!!)
“Judging season at National FFA is quickly approaching, and we need dedicated volunteers to make it possible. By volunteering as a judge, you directly support youth leadership, career readiness, and agricultural education nationwide. Get involved today by creating a profile on the National FFA volunteer site. It’s quick and opens the door to judging opportunities throughout the year. Your expertise truly makes a difference in the experience of our FFA members.”
Share Your Ideas at the National FFA Convention!
Do you have an engaging activity, an innovative classroom strategy, a leadership lesson, or a student-focused experience worth sharing? Consider presenting a student or teacher workshop at the National FFA Convention & Expo! If you’re interested in leading an interactive session and making an impact on attendees from across the country, submit your proposal today!
Awards and Recognition Historical Awards Database
Are you looking to confirm your chapter’s historical records? You can access the Awards and Recognition Historical Database through FFA.org. State staff and teachers may use this article to navigate to the database through Profile. If you have questions, please reach out to Carol Herl, cherl@ffa.org.
Smithfield Foods Chapter Grant Program
Smithfield Foods works every day to produce good food, the right way, with respect for its people, animals, community, and planet. As a part of that mission, Smithfield is partnering with local FFA chapters to provide funds centered around: chapter operations funds, community service projects, and food insecurity. The program is now open on a rolling basis, and funds will be distributed quarterly in May, July, September, and November. The first-round closes May 1. The second round will then open on May 2 and run through the end of June. The chapter application can be found here.