Future Farmers to Attend National FFA Convention

Fourteen students will represent the Milbank FFA Chapter at the 89th National FFA Convention and Expo. The event will be hosted in Indianapolis from October 19-22.

Three Milbank FFA members will receive their American FFA Degree. “The American FFA Degree is awarded to FFA members who have demonstrated the highest level of commitment to FFA,” stated Jerry Janisch FFA advisor. The students receiving their degree are Kiera Leddy, Kasey Schmidt, and Mikayla Sousa.

Four members of the local FFA group will represent South Dakota by serving as delegates to the National FFA Convention. Students selected were Devon Balling, Callie Bolin, Claire Mischel and Kadon Leddy. They will attend leadership sessions, general convention sessions, the FFA Career Show and AgriScience displays, and tour agribusinesses.

Milbank FFA member, Chase Pinkert, was selected as a member of the National FFA band. Nathan Loutsch was chosen for the National FFA Chorus.
The local FFA Floriculture team will compete in the Career Development event. Members test their knowledge and skills in the production and retailing of flowers, plants, and foliage. “Participants must complete a general knowledge exam on the floriculture industry, identify plant materials, demonstrate problem solving and decision making skills, employment and customer service skills, technical floral skills, and the ability to work as a team,” explained Janisch. “Teams competed at the local and state levels to earn the privilege of representing South Dakota at the National Convention.” Team members include Tera Hanson, Kimberlly Aburto, Maddie Liebe, Korinne Roggenbuck, and Cassidy Voeltz.

Janisch will accompany the students and has been the local FFA advisor since 1992. Milbank has taken teams to the national convention every year since 1992, with the exception of 1996. Over 38 teams from Milbank have attended.

Students attending the convention include: Kimberlly Aburto, Nathan Loutsch, Chase Pinkert, Kadon Leddy, Cassidy Voeltz, and Maddie Liebe. Front row: Korinne Roggenbuck, Claire Mischel, Devon Balling and Callie Bolin. Not in the photo are: Tera Hanson, Kiera Leddy, Kasey Schmidt, and Mikayla Sousa.