March 31, 2025 (Hartford) – The South Dakota FFA Agriscience Fair, Wednesday, April 16, 2025, will showcase FFA members from across SD and their research projects centering on the science and technology of agriculture. Hosted at West Central High School in Hartford, SD, this years’ competition features FFA members from across the state and a total of 194 projects.
The FFA Agriscience Fair recognizes members who gain real-world, hands-on experiences in agricultural enterprises. Members use scientific principles and emerging technologies to solve complex problems related to agriculture, food, and natural resources. Middle and high school member projects include a written report and an in-person display and presentation to judges, both scored for to calculate final placings. Participation begins at the local level and progresses to state and national levels. FFA members can compete in the Agriscience Fair in six categories, with separate divisions based on age and individual or team projects.
The SD FFA Agriscience Fair is sponsored through the South Dakota FFA Foundation by the following donors:
Animal Science Systems
Jr. High – Dakota Hills Veterinary Clinic; De-Tye Vet Supply; Eichacker Simmentals; Salem Veterinary Service
9/10 Grade – Fall River Feedyard, LLC; The Franken Family
11/12 Grade – First Bank & Trust; Dakota Hills Veterinary Clinic; Fall River Veterinary Clinic; First Dakota National Bank
Food Products and Processing Systems
Jr. High – SD Retailers Association; Brian & Codi Mills; Titan International
9/10 Grade – Doland FFA Alumni; SD Retailers Association
11/12 Grade – Jim Chilson; Grain Millers, Inc; McCook Central FFA; Carl & Kari Sanders
NR/Environmental Sciences
Jr. High – Ducks Unlimited
9/10 Grade – Dry Creek Farm & Ranch; Pennington County Conservation District; Farm Credit Services of America; Macsteel
11/12 Grade – Pro Ag Engineering, Inc.
Plant Systems
Jr. High – Dan & Sheri Kahnke; Next Level Ag; SD Corn Utilization Council; Bayer
9/10 Grade – Central Farmers Cooperative; The First National Bank in Sioux Falls
11/12 Grade – SD Soybean Research & Promotion Council; Dan & Sheri Kahnke
Power, Structural and Technical Systems
Jr. High – Meyerink Farm Service
9/10 Grade – Butler Machinery Company, CTE Global
11/12 Grade – Dacotah Bank; Summit Contracting; RDO Equipment; Gullickson Family Livestock
Social Systems
Jr. High – Chad Wosje
9/10 Grade – Prairie Grain Partners, LLC; SD Biotech Association
11/12 Grade – BankWest; Farmers Mutual of Nebraska; Pioneer Corteva
Winners will be announced on April 16th at the conclusion of the in-person judging. 1st, 2nd and 3rd place in each division earn an award and cash prize as a special project of the South Dakota FFA Foundation.
Winning projects will advance for national level competition.
About the South Dakota FFA
As part of the National FFA Organization, the South Dakota FFA Association encompasses 111 FFA chapters with 6,100 South Dakota FFA members. The National FFA Organization is a national youth organization of 945,988 student members as part of 9,163 local FFA chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. FFA strives to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education.
The SD FFA Foundation provides an avenue of funding for the SD FFA Association as they build leaders, grow communities and strengthen agriculture. To discover more about the South Dakota FFA Association or the South Dakota FFA Foundation, visit them both at www.aged.sdstate.edu or on Facebook or Twitter.
