South Dakota FFA Updates
Published March 4, 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
- March 20: Spring Semester Roster Submissions and Payment Due
- March 25: Agriscience Paperwork and Judges List Due
- March 31: CDE District Reporting Form Due
- April 1: State Officer & Ambassador Apps Due
- April 2: State Convention Registration Deadline
Board of Directors Updates
Primary Staff Contact: Mercedes
- Meeting Minutes from February 14, 2026 Meeting
- Highlights of the meeting include:
- Constitution updates passed and will now proceed to delegates at State Convention
- Changes to Agronomy contest passed, but will be implemented in 2027
- Updates to State Fair Book approved
- Agriscience Fair Disqualification policy adopted
State Agriscience Updates
Primary Staff Contact: Caroline
Paperwork Submission Deadline: March 25th
- Please make sure to use the National FFA Template! Templates available here: https://ffa.app.box.com/s/cf4o9ys85ieer7z5xqcjn17raji0tvgp
Judge Sign-up Due March 25th: https://forms.gle/78sdG7KcXnas41237
Campus Map: a map of DWU Campus noting building locations and parking lots will be provided at a later date!
Hotel Room Block:
- For those needing to travel to Mitchell the night before, I have a room block set up at the Comfort Inn. The block will expire March 17th so please reserve soon if you need to!
- Comfort Inn & Suites (2020 Highland Way, Mitchell, SD 57301)
- Rate: $101.15
- Checking in Tuesday, April 7, checking out Wednesday April 8
- Number to call: 605-990-2400
- Group Code: SD FFA
Lunch Numbers:
Display Boards:
- The DWU dining will have lunch available for anyone, however, they would like some estimated numbers to be prepared. There are other lunch options around town, but if you plan to have your students eat on campus, please fill out this form so we have a rough count to provide them. Each student will still order and pay for their meal individually, this is simply a count to plan.
- https://forms.gle/4ABACTitxo6BkGcW9
- Additional meal options include Pizza Ranch and McDonalds just down the street, but not walking distance. There are several other options around Mitchell as well.
- If your student(s) plan to print their poster rather than using a tri-fold board, DWU will have stands available for use! (photo below).
- If you know you would like to use one of these display boards, please let Caroline know!
Campus Tours
- DWU has offered to provide campus tours to students interested. If you have interest in that, please let Caroline know!
State Convention Updates
Primary Staff Contact: Caroline & Wyatt
State Degree Recipients: Please take a look at this list of State Degree recipients. Please email Caroline with any spelling errors!
Honorary State Degree Recipients: Here is the approved list of Honorary State Degree Recipients. If you have bio information for any of them that are still blank, please send that to Caroline!
Distinguished Service Award Recipients: Here is the approved list of Distinguished Service Award Recipients. If you have bio information for any of them that are still blank, please send that to Caroline!
CDE Update:
- Please see Wyatt's email on 2/2/2026 for more details!
- Tentative contest schedule below.
Session Schedule:
- Content for each session can be found here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1jI1eJc-X8ErnT0X4mSEj9BGhm1dnjW5gLIT4HZvZUfU/edit?usp=sharing
Star Finalists: Congratulations to the following individuals for being selected as a State Star Finalist!
- Star Farmer
- Darla Barns, Lemmon
- Riley Pankratz, Parker
- Taten Twedt, Beresford
- Lacie Weber, Howard
- Star in Agricultural Placement
- Carley Crist, Beresford
- Ashley Haven, Northwestern
- Ethan Koopman, Tri-Valley
- Riley Pankratz, Parker
- Star in Agriscience
- Karlee Klinkhammer, McCook Central
- Kaylee Klinkhammer, McCook Central
- Isabella Mack, Tri-Valley
- Atlee Olson, Belle Fourche
- Star in Agribusiness
- Bobbi Eide, Gettysburg
- Noah Felderman, Doland
- Mercedes Jones, Wessington Springs
- Keagan Kettwig, Parker
State Officer and Ambassador Applications
Primary Staff Contact: Caroline
Applications:
- State Officer and Ambassador Applications are due April 1. Signed agreements and advisor recommendations are also due that day. The application link, upload links, and agreement forms can be found at the link below.
Interviews:
- State Officer Interviews will take place April 7th-8th in Mitchell. (Exact location TBD but will be shared!) We plan to begin by 10am on the 7th.
- State Ambassador Interviews will take place during State Convention. Time/Date pending applicants' availability.
Interview Housing:
- Hotel rooms have been reserved at the Quality Inn in Mitchell. The association will book rooms for candidates and bill the chapter for those costs. If you are an advisor driving your candidate, you will need to book your own room.
Updates from National FFA
Washington Leadership Conference
- Registration opens at 5pm Central Time on Wednesday, March 4
- Link to register: https://www.ffa.org/conference/washington-leadership-conference-wlc/
Grants for Growing Application Now Open
- This is a competitive grant program sponsored by Tractor Supply Company (TSC) for middle and high school FFA chapters to develop and improve project-based or experiential learning opportunities for students. FFA chapters may apply for up to $5,000 through the program
- Link to apply: https://www.ffa.org/grants-for-growing/
2026 Native Youth in Food & Agriculture Leadership Summit
- Do you know any current or former American Indian, Alaska Native, or Native Hawaiian students ages 18 to 24 who are interested in agriculture? The 2026 Native Youth in Food and Agriculture Leadership Summit, set for July 9-17 in Fayetteville, Ark., is an opportunity for them to foster connections, develop key skills, and connect with industry experts. Applications are open until Friday, March 20, 2026.
- Link to apply: https://form.asana.com/?k=LQc6VARdZF-PBZGuZmDyng&d=964360232897899
Application Deadline Approaching for Next Gen: Agribusiness Systems
- Next Gen: Agribusiness Systems with a focus on sales and finance will be held in Chicago, June 23-27. This conference provides an opportunity for students to explore pathways through career exploration sessions, industry roundtables and tours. Applications are due March 16.
- Link to apply: https://nffa-applications.smapply.io/prog/2026_next_gen_agribusiness_systems_-_ag_sales_finance_application/