South Dakota FFA Updates
Published May 13, 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
- Mercedes Snedeker, State Advisor
- mercedes.snedeker@state.sd.us
- 605-295-4446
- May 15: Camp Registration Due (primary contact: Sadie)
- May 20: Leadership Retreat Scholarship App due
- June 1: National Convention SAE Highlight nominations due to Caroline
- June 1: State Deadline for American STARs/Honorary American and Distinguished Service (primary contact: Sadie)
- June 1: American Degree Applications due (Final Round) (primary contact: Sadie)
- June 15: State Deadline for National applications for Agriscience, Proficiencies and National Chapter (primary contact: Sadie)
- July 14: National FFA Band and Choir Applications due
Upcoming Dates
- May 13: 5pmCT; National Convention Housing Block Opens
- May 14: Board of Directors Meeting (primary contact: Sadie)
- Students at 4, Adult at 4:30pm
- June 16-19: East River Leadership Retreat
- June 29-July 2: West River Leadership Retreat
- July 26-29: SDACTE Summer Conference/District Officer Retreat
- September 2-7: SD State Fair
National Convention SAE Highlight
Please submit to Caroline by June 1st!
National FFA is excited to showcase student SAE stories from across the country at National FFA Convention through a series of banners displayed as part of the SAE Pin Challenge! To help represent our state, we are looking for strong student SAE examples that highlight the impact, diversity, and value of SAEs. We would love your help identifying students in your program who are doing meaningful, unique, or inspiring work through their SAE.
Please send your recommended student SAE(s) to Caroline by June 1st. State staff will then complete the official submission form on behalf of the selected student.
These SAE spotlights will be turned into banners displayed at convention, so we are
especially looking for examples that:
- Tell a clear and engaging student story
- Showcase student growth, learning, and leadership
- Highlight the diversity of SAEs within our state
When submitting a student recommendation, please include:
- Student name and chapter
- Brief description of the SAE
- Why this SAE would make a great spotlight story
- 5-7 quality photos, if available
Thank you for helping showcase the incredible work students are doing through SAE programs!
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.
Updates from the SD FFA Foundation
- FFA Leadership Retreat, Advisor Tribute Scholarship application is open:
- https://forms.gle/isYXvNMZeUVGpGPZA
- DUE MAY 20TH AT 11:59PM
- FFA members receive full registration cost to the State FFA Leadership Retreat of their choice, reimbursed to their FFA chapter.
- Students may not receive the scholarship two years in a row.
National Convention Updates
https://convention.ffa.org/
- SD Housing Block opens at 5pm CT May 13th!
- Hotels: Hampton Inn Indianapolis Downtown & Holiday Inn Indianapolis Downtown
- Book online on the Housing website with a valid credit card. Credit cards must have an expiration date of November 1, 2026 or later. Reservations may be booked online by utilizing this designated URL: https://book.passkey.com/go/StateSD26
- Room reservations cancelled between May 13, 2026 – September 2, 2026 will NOT incur a cancellation fee per room cancelled. Room reservations cancelled between September 3, 2026 – September 23, 2026 will incur a one night's room and tax, non-refundable cancellation fee per room cancelled.
- 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!
2027 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
Additional Opportunities
Not Sponsored by SD FFA; sharing as a courtesy
- Farmhouse Fraternity Scholarship
- Farmhouse recently made a new scholarship for senior high schooler students that acknowledge academic excellence, leadership, and commitment to service. We will be awarding 5 students $250 dollars each this coming fall for financial support as they further their education. The deadline will be June 1st at 11:59 P.M.
- https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd6ik1-YPGNKb-g0bQrDedY0G-rturQr-omPxV2btGX2iEV5Q/viewform
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
- SD DOE Middle School Career Exploration Expansion Workshop
The South Dakota Department of Education is excited to invite educators to apply to participate in a Middle School Career Exploration Expansion Workgroup focused on strengthening and enhancing Middle School CTE programming across the state. This collaborative work session will take place on June 15th (9am – 3pm Central Time, via zoom). We will bring together passionate educators to discuss innovative ideas, share successful approaches, and help shape the future of Career Exploration and CTE at the middle school level. This is an exciting opportunity to have a direct impact on the future of Middle School Career Exploration in South Dakota. Your expertise, creativity, and classroom experience can help shape resources and programming that will support educators and students statewide for years to come.
Selected participants will receive a stipend of $175 for the day.
If you are interested in joining the workgroup – Please contact Amy Miller at amy.miller@state.sd.us
Updates from National FFA
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.