On December 4, 2023, nearly 600 FFA members from across South Dakota met in Rapid City for the State FFA Leadership Development Events (LDEs). Students qualified through district competitions, advancing the top two teams and top threeindividualsfromeach of the eight FFA districts in South Dakota. While waiting for competitive events, students had the opportunity to interact with agriculture industry leaders, who are SD FFA StarPartners,attheCareer Carnival. Additionally, state officers from the Montana FFA Association presented workshops on leadership development and identifying leadership qualities for which the members to participate.
Two FFA Wessington Springs Chapter members, Caroline Witte (pictured, left) and Alexis Roesler (pictured, right) placed at the event.
Creed Speaking participants recite the FFA Creed and answer questions posed by the judges. This event and travel scholarship is sponsored by YieldPro Ag and Craig and Bonnie Dybedahl. Alexis Roesler earned 6th place in this event.
In Ag Broadcasting/ Journalism, students have 30 minutes to prepare a five-minute agricultural radio newscast and then “air” it. This event is sponsored by Prairie Winds Humbolt LLC. Caroline Witte earned 7th place in this event.
