South Dakota FFA Updates
Published September 24, 2026
State Staff Contacts
- Caroline Hansen, Leadership & Program Manager
- caroline.hansen@sdaged.org
- 605-380-7308
- 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
- September 21: Blue Jacket FFA Applications Due (Foundation)
- October 1: Roster/Affiliation Deadline Due
Upcoming Dates
- September 16: Land & Range School - Redfield
- September 23: West Region/North Central/South Central Land & Range Judging Contest
- September 23: Energy PD **Ask Mercedes for more details
- September 30: Northeast Land & Range Judging Contest
Board of Directors Update
The Board of Directors met on Sept 9th. You can access meeting minutes here under "Previous minutes" and then in the "2026" folder.
The next Board of Directors meeting will be in November, Mercedes will be sending out a poll soon.
Updated Policy book as of the 9/9/2026 Board of Directors meeting! More updates will continue to be added and changed throughout the year as the policy committee continues their diligent work so please make sure to be checking the most recent one!
State Fair Updates
Energy PD For AFNR Teachers
Save the Date!
There will be an Energy PD sponsored by Northwestern Energy in Mitchell, SD on September 23rd. Registration: https://sded.sd.gov/browse/division-of-college-career-and-student-success/office-of-career-and-technical-education/courses/energy-cluster-professional-development-26-27
Contact Mercedes Snedeker for more information.
Land and Range Documents on Website
All the guidebooks, scantrons, and dates for Land, Range, and Homesite have been updated on the website. We've also added a resources folder to keep it clear which scorecards are used contests and which are simply resources for your classroom.
Those that handle scoring at a regional level, there is also a help sheet created by Lance Howe on how to merge land and homesite scores with judgingcard.
National Convention Updates
Hello, National FFA Convention registration opens soon, so I wanted to send a few helpful resources, reminders, and tips your way. I know you have a lot on your plates this time of year, so hopefully having everything in one place makes convention planning a little easier.
As always, if you have questions or need assistance, please reach out!
AVAILABLE NOW – CONVENTION PARKING
Planning to drive to convention? Parking passes are NOT purchased through the National FFA Convention registration system. Chapters will need to purchase parking passes for all vehicles—including cars, buses, and vehicles with trailers—directly from Indianapolis parking vendors. Please plan ahead and secure the appropriate parking for your group before arriving in Indianapolis.
A few other transportation reminders:
- Rodeo shuttle passes are available for purchase through the National FFA Convention registration system.
- National FFA no longer provides hotel/housing shuttles, so chapters are responsible for arranging their own transportation between hotels and convention venues.
- Chapters with students competing in CDEs or LDEs should review their event orientation materials for specific competitor shuttle information.
SEPTEMBER 9 – CONVENTION REGISTRATION OPENS
Convention registration is open now!
- Review the Convention Registration Planning Guide: Chapter Registration Planning Guide.docx | Powered by Box
- Visit the Convention Registration page: Registration – 99th National FFA Convention & Expo
- Know which students and adults you are registering
- Decide in advance whether your group wants to participate in Career Success Tours, National Days of Service, hypnotist shows, rodeo shuttles, Courtesy Corps shifts, or other limited-capacity opportunities.
Opportunities to Consider:
- Career Success Tours: These are AMAZING, but they sell out fast! Tours & Attractions – 99th National FFA Convention & Expo
- National Days of Service - Find info here National Days of Service – 99th National FFA Convention & Expo
- On-Site Service Projects - Information in the middle of the page: National Days of Service – 99th National FFA Convention & Expo
- Hypnotist Information: Entertainment – 99th National FFA Convention & Expo
- Courtesy Corps - Any student can sign up for a shift: Courtesy Corps – 99th National FFA Convention & Expo
SEPTEMBER 16 – CONCERT & RODEO TICKETS OPEN- TODAY!
Concert and rodeo tickets open Wednesday, September 16 at 5:00 p.m. Central Time.
This is important: You MUST be registered for convention before you can purchase concert or rodeo tickets.
Once you register, you will receive a National FFA Convention & Expo registration confirmation email. Save this email! It will contain the private links you need to purchase your concert and rodeo tickets when ticket sales open. Your offer code is the middle seven digits of your registration code.
Please note that concert and rodeo tickets will be sold through two different ticketing systems this year:
- Concert tickets will be purchased through Ticketmaster.
- Rodeo tickets will be purchased through SaffireTix.
Your registration confirmation email will include the private purchase links and any information needed to access ticket sales. These private links help ensure tickets are available specifically to registered National FFA Convention & Expo attendees.
- Concert & Rodeo Information: Entertainment – 99th National FFA Convention & Expo
Tips for Purchasing Tickets
- Register for convention well in advance. You must be registered before you can access the private concert and rodeo ticket links.
- Save and have your convention registration confirmation email ready. The private links to purchase tickets will be included in that email.
- Remember there are two different ticketing systems this year: concert tickets will be sold through Ticketmaster, while rodeo tickets will be sold through SaffireTix.
- Create or sign in to your Ticketmaster account in advance so you aren't trying to set up an account when tickets go on sale.
- More information will be released by National FFA related to SaffireTix.
- Have your payment method ready before sales open.
- Remember that concert and rodeo tickets open at the same time. If you plan to purchase tickets for both, have a plan! Consider having two advisors/adults ready—one to purchase concert tickets and another to purchase rodeo tickets.
- Don't wait until the last minute to find your confirmation email or links. Have everything pulled up and ready before 5:00 p.m. Central Time.
SCHOOL LEADERS SUMMIT
National FFA will offer a special two-hour School Leaders’ Summit during the 99th National FFA Convention & Expo.
The summit will be offered twice:
- Wednesday, October 21 | 10:00 a.m.–Noon
- Thursday, October 22 | 10:00 a.m.–Noon
Advisors can select this option in the convention registration system when registering school leaders.
More information: School Leaders' Summit – 99th National FFA Convention & Expo
Questions about the summit can be directed to Jill Wagner at jwagner@ffa.org.
2026 CONVENTION HIGHLIGHTS
There is A LOT happening at convention this year! A few things to have on your radar:
- Pin Challenge – Page 19 of the Implementation Guide - Be sure to check out the Convention Pin Challenge and encourage your students to participate! 99th National FFA Convention Implementation Guide.docx | Powered by Box
- Expo & Shopping Mall - Take some time to explore the exhibitors, colleges, industry partners, educational experiences, and shopping opportunities available throughout the Expo. Exhibitors, Expo and Shopping Mall – 99th National FFA Convention & Expo
- Implementation Guide - If you are planning convention, the National FFA Convention Implementation Guide should be one of your first stops. It is packed with information to help you prepare your chapter and students for convention. FFA.ORG | Powered by Box
- NEW! Drone & Robotics Demonstration - National FFA is excited to offer a Drone & Robotics Demonstration at the National FFA Convention & Expo, October 21–23! In partnership with Minds-I Education, 20 teams of four FFA members will be selected to showcase their drone building, programming, and piloting skills in a demonstration modeled after the Aerial Drone Competition Pro. Grants are available to help establish new teams, and travel funding is available for teams selected to participate at convention. Teams will be selected on a first-come, first-served basis, so interested chapters are encouraged to act quickly. This could be a great opportunity for students interested in drones, robotics, programming, engineering, and agricultural technology! For additional details, please click HERE. Interested in this opportunity, complete this form.
HAVE CONVENTION QUESTIONS?
National FFA has several great resources available when you are looking for an answer.
- National FFA Convention & Expo Help Center: National FFA Convention & Expo - FFA Help Center
- Convention A–Z Information Guide: A to Z Information Guide – 99th National FFA Convention & Expo
- Watch the Chapter Town Hall: Chapter Town Hall.mp4 | Powered by Box
Please take advantage of these resources, but also know that we are happy to help! If you have questions, run into an issue, or aren't sure where to find something, please reach out.
Convention will be here before we know it!
https://convention.ffa.org/
- Lucas Oil Stadium Clear Bag Policy
- You may still bring your personal backpacks, bags, boxes, and other items into the Convention Center only. However, clear bags are highly encouraged to enter Lucas Oil Stadium for sessions. This includes any shopping bags collected at the convention center! Please plan ahead and plan accordingly! A mandatory clear bag policy will go into effect for the 2027 convention.
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Will you serve yourself or find someone from your circle to serve? We still need people for each day from now until the 24th, but we have an acute need for both judges and room hosts on Monday the 21st and Thursday the 24th.
Please email us here at judges@ffa.org or, better yet, go to Volunteer Hub and quickly create an account if you do not already have one, and sign up for an available time slot.
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!
Updates from the SD FFA Foundation
- Blue Jacket Applications (Due September 21): https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScRbjOGJW_JgqXZylpNGiYMgJ4mtiU_Jw5FBHMZKg45BBA73Q/viewform
Updates from National FFA
Applications Opening Soon for 2027 Next Gen Conferences
Do you have students interested in pursuing a career in Plant Systems, Food Products and Processing Systems, or Environmental Services and Natural Resources Systems? Good news! The 2027 Next Gen conferences will focus on these pathways! Applications will open on Aug. 15. Encourage your students to apply!
National FFA Board of Directors Dues Recommendations
After reviewing the National FFA Organization Financial Reports and Budget, the National FFA Board of Directors moved and passed to recommend to the delegates at the National FFA Convention and Expo that National FFA Organization membership dues and program affiliation fees remain the same as the previous year for the 2027–28 school year. Find out more information on the fee breakdown.
Membership Numbers Announced
The National FFA Organization continues its record-setting growth with yet another increase in membership over last year. Current membership is 1,053,847 student members with 9,591 active student chapters. Alumni membership for the year is 840,865.
National Agricultural Proficiency Awards, Agriscience Fair, and National Chapter Judging Results
The 2026 National Finalist Selection results have been finalized for the Agriscience Fair, Agricultural Proficiency, and National Chapter Awards. These results are currently available to state staff only and can be accessed here. Please do not share this information until after the public release on Friday, Aug. 7. Orientation packets and interview schedules will be posted on the specific program pages of FFA.org following the public release of results. A congratulations email with links to the orientation packet will be sent to each National Finalist with copies to their chapter FFA advisor(s).
Career and Leadership Development Events
Orientation packets and resource materials are now posted on the CDE/LDE webpage. Each orientation packet provides information on the event schedule, certification process, accommodation requests, competition details and more.
The 2025 Exams, Practicums and resources are now available for all events EXCEPT Forestry. Forestry has an early fall state qualifying event. Those exams and practicums will be released about Oct. 1.
Volunteers Needed: National Winner Selection Virtual Interviews
National FFA is seeking volunteers to support the next round of judging. All interviews are conducted virtually via Zoom, making it convenient to get involved from the comfort of your home or office. Sign up today! Be sure to select the date and time that matches your schedule. Feel free to sign up for more than one date/time. Virtual judges will review applications, craft personalized questions and help determine who will be named national winners at the 99th National FFA Convention & Expo! Interview dates and times are available Sept. 14-23 and Sept. 23-24. Please feel free to forward to others who may be interested!
Volunteer as a Virtual Room Host for the National Winner Selection Interviews
Have a hand in who will be named National Winner at the 99th National FFA Convention & Expo by serving as a room host this fall, where you'll serve as the proctor for virtual finalist interviews. You'll welcome and guide judges and national finalists through the experience, manage the Zoom-based interview process (using a Zoom account provided by National FFA), and ensure everything runs smoothly and fairly. Sign up today.