RAPID CITY, S.D. (October 2025) — The South Dakota FFA Foundation has awarded five $100 scholarships to students who earned first place in each of the three South Dakota Regional Range Evaluation Competitions held this fall.
This year’s scholarship recipients include Tessa Hinman of Sunshine Bible Academy; Jackson Cammack of Sturgis; Hayes Christensen of Wessington Springs; Izzie Smithback of Harrisburg; and Lidia Dpraz of Deubrook.
The scholarships, funded through a contribution from LeRoy and Cathie Draine of Rapid City, recognize students’ accomplishments and commitment to land stewardship.
“These scholarships represent a good combination of three important beliefs: first, our respect for the integrity of the land, our soils and water; second, the imperative to provide educational opportunities for understanding and the wise use and care of the land; and third, faith in the process of developing knowledgeable custodians for the future,” said Cathie Draine.
The Range Evaluation Competition, hosted by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, SDSU Extension, and the U.S. Forest Service, challenges students to apply ecological and management principles in assessing land resources. Participants learn about soil and plant relationships, plant and animal interactions, and plant succession — key elements in sustainable land management.
The contest uses beef cattle and grouse as focal species to help students understand habitat evaluation, illustrating how different stages of plant succession affect both ecological and economic systems.
The South Dakota FFA Foundation supports agricultural education and leadership development across the state, helping prepare students for careers in agriculture and natural resource management.
For more information, visit www.sdffafoundation.org.
