The Wessington Springs FFA Chapter earned recognition for its skill and preparation during the South Dakota Farmers Union Farm Safety Quiz Bowl Championships, held August 30 at the South Dakota State Fair in Huron.
Competing before a crowd of fairgoers, the Springs team of Ella Kolousek, Chase Dunsmore, Rylan Fagerhaug and Logan Klein advanced deep into the contest, answering a wide range of questions designed to challenge students’ understanding of farm safety.
Although the championship trophy ultimately went to Howard FFA, Wessington Springs was praised for its performance and represented Jerauld County well on the statewide stage.
Lessons that last a lifetime
For Kolousek, who serves as Wessington Springs FFA Chapter Reporter, the competition was both demanding and rewarding.
“The questions were really tough – I actually didn’t know the answers to some of them, and I have lived on a farm all my life,” Kolousek said. “Learning about farm safety is a good idea because I can use the information to help me stay safe.”
Topics covered everything from sharing the road with farm machinery and handling ATVs safely, to grain bin hazards and livestock precautions.
A statewide effort to keep kids safe
Howard FFA members Mason Jacobson, Tom Connor, Lucas Feldhaus and Carson Hinker walked away with the 2025 Championship Title and a cash prize. Other competing teams included Redfield FFA (Brooklyn Rische, Karlie Brabant, Layla Hardie and Addy Rice) and Canton FFA (Conley Winquist, Damion Myburgh, Bayler Lems and Salvador Lopez).
Doug Sombke, President of South Dakota Farmers Union, emphasized the importance of farm safety education: “It’s important all youth understand how to stay safe on farms and ranches because agriculture is our state’s No. 1 industry – and the work involved can be dangerous.”
FFA teams qualified for the State Fair showdown earlier this spring during the South Dakota State FFA Convention in Brookings.
Keeping safety top of mind
The Farm Safety Quiz Bowl is just one part of Farmers Union’s statewide efforts to equip young people with practical safety knowledge. More than 1,000 youth each summer attend Farmers Union camps, and thousands more visit the Farm Safety Trailer, a handson exhibit featuring ATV simulators, grain bin harness demonstrations, and a 3-D model farm highlighting high-risk areas.
Since its launch in 2018, the trailer has reached youth across South Dakota with a simple message: safety comes first.