Adam French, Audrey Frenchick, Claudia Frenchick, Kenlie Geise, Melanie Gertken, Kiley Kalthoff, Hannah Klaphake, Ivan Kotten, Henry Kotten, adviser Duane Lichy, adviser Rebecca Lindquist, Kaylin Merdan, Maggie Merdan, Josh Niehaus, Sam Orbeck, Ava Sand, Ellyana Sand, Wryler Sand, Karlee Salzl, Kaylee Salzl, Kennedie Salzl, Riley Salzl, Tyler Salzer, Leo Scherping, Levi Scherping, Alyssa Tougas, Avery Wieber, Emerson Wieber, Massey Wieber, Oliver Wieber, Preston Wieber, Miley Winter, Bryce Wolbeck and Cody Voit. Not pictured are Candace Berckes, Amy Cantilla, Isaac French, Cole Frenchik, Brice Frericks, Ethan Hartung, Marissa Hartung, Noah Hartung, Skylar Nieberall, Lily Planting, Rayvin Pollins, Edin Rothstein Bella Schiffler and Chloe Winkels.
Melrose from 2B
The Melrose FFA team competes at regular events throughout the year — the Minnesota FFA Region 3 competition, Minnesota State Fair, the University of Minnesota Fall Invitational and the Stearns County Fair. If the team places in the top five at regional competition, they compete at the Minnesota State FFA Convention.
Because the Melrose dairy judging team placed second at the state convention in April 2024, the team was invited to compete at the All-American Dairy Show Invitational Youth Dairy Cattle Judging Contest in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, in September 2024. The team placed second overall.
“It feels really good to be able to place this high in a competition after all the hard work and studying we have put into (it),” Megan said.
Monika agreed.
“It also helps you to be more confident in future contests, which is important because you need to have confidence in your placings at contests,” she said.
The dairy judging team puts in countless hours during the week and weekend, practicing with live animals and on paper.
“Comparing our team in eighth grade to comparing
us now, we were all scared to give reasons (back then),” Grace said. “Just seeing how far we have come with judging and reasons is really cool. We have a team that blends really well together, and we have a good time.”
Reasons are a one- to twominute speech justifying the placings of the animals. Each contestant is given 12 minutes
to judge each class consisting of four animals and rank them. They get an additional 10-12 minutes to write and memorize their reasons without visual of the animals. If the class is just placing animals, they are given 10 minutes because reasons will not be presented.
“It’s definitely a lot to learn,” Grace said.
The team also competes as a group during competitions. They are asked questions about the dairy industry and its history, and they are given a herd report to utilize when answering.
and Monika
Sept. 14, 2024, in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Since the team placed second at the Minnesota State FFA Convention, they got the opportunity to compete at the All-American Dairy Show Invitational Youth Dairy Cattle Judging Contest in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
hold Dan
“It kind of touches more on the management of dairy evaluation,” Dan said. “You are physically looking at the herd records.”
Another part of the competition is pedigree and sire selection, which is done individually.
“We place cows (based) on
their pedigree, which … if you were to compare it to sports, it’s almost like their statistics,” Grace said.
During sire selection, contestants are given a cow and four bulls that could correct any undesirable traits. They rank the bulls based off the information and numbers presented.
“It’s similar to placing dairy cows, but it’s on paper, and we have to do it based off the numbers (traits) that they have,” Dan said.
Most competitions involve judging animals of the Holstein and Jersey breeds; however, participants also judge other breeds depending on contest location.
In Harrisburg, the team judged five of seven breeds — Ayrshire, Guernsey, Jersey, Holstein and Brown Swiss — with a heifer and cow class for each.
“You wouldn’t know it, but Minnesota judging kind of varies from Pennsylvania judging,” Grace said.
The difference of judging depends on the importance of features and values, Jaiden said.
As the team is judging,
each aspect of the animal is evaluated with dairy production in mind. The cow’s udder is valued highest, with frame, feet and legs to follow in that order.
Dan, Grace, Jaiden and Monika’s favorite breed to judge is Holstein, but Megan’s favorite is Milking Shorthorns because the breed is less common in the industry.
“We spend so much time around them (Holsteins),” Jaiden said. “It’s kind of like a base to go off of.”
Some breeds are harder to judge than others, such as Brown Swiss
“Genetically, they are different from other breeds,” Dan said. “Brown Swiss … are big, but they are also more muscular and carry more condition (weight). They are just genetically a lot different.”
The team has learned lessons far beyond knowledge of dairy breeds, industry and operations.
“It has taught me a lot about critical thinking and discerning what’s important and what to value,” said Grace of dairy judging.
PHOTOS SUBMITTED
Sadie Frericks (from left), Monika Frericks, Dan Frericks, Grace Herdering, Jaiden Smith and Megan Frieler hold second-place ribbons Sept 15, 2024, at the All-American Dairy Show Invitational Youth Dairy Cattle Judging Contest in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. In Harrisburg they judged five of seven breeds.
Megan Frieler (from left), Grace Herdering, Jaiden Smith
Frericks
Frericks
Mhina Reed; (second row, from left) Reid Dickhof, Aiden Radermacher, Max Heieie, Parker Prentice, Mason Eckstein and Coby Schoumaker; (third row, from left) Louie Tensen, Ben Mastey, Harley Weber, Bennett Wurm, Kolton Schuler, Elliot Spanier and Logan Oeltjenbruns; (fourth row, from left) Carson Gilbert, Bree Thieschafer, Andrew Spanier, Hunter Laage, Ayden Kampsen, Jack Lundberg and Aiden Mueller; (back , from left) Daniel Tschida, Jared Tschida, Peyton Roelike, Gabriel Coners, Noah Welte and Eli Wold. Not pictured are Laken Anderson, Whitney Anderson, Marianna Baker, Austin Berge, Jeffery Berndt, Bentley Deters, Aiden Detloff, Colin Evenson, Carson Glienke, Riley Gullickson, Toby Hanson, Gunner Heieie, Ian Szczesniak , Noah Kampsen, Cameron Loe, Ethan Mueller, Treyson Nemmers, Jesse Niklaus, Olive Olson, Elizabeth Rademacher, Cooper Roering, Owen Roering, Abbey Schoumaker, Ashton Schwinghammer, Karlijn Spangenberg, Ethan Speldrich, Isabella Stang, Joshua Walstrom, Kylie Weller and Abby Wold.
The Belgade-Brooten-Elrosa FFA Chapter officers are historian Ellan Fischer (front, from left), assistant secretary Ana Engen, officer-at-large Daire Evans, officer-at-large Surabhi Velez, secretary Tia Nelson and vice president Mhina Reed; (back , from left) assistant reporter Reid Dickhoff, treasurer Aiden Radermacher, reporter Max Heieie, president Parker Prentice, vice president Mason Eckstein and sentinel Coby Schoumaker. Not pictured is vice president Abbey Schoumaker.
These pages are courtesy of the following sponsors:
S parks FLYING AT THE FAIR
BY SARAH MIDDENDORF STAFF WRITER
At the Great Minnesota Get-Together, visitors viewed animal shows, tried new foods, learned about agriculture and watched people safely navigate a tractor competition.
Entertainment at the 12-day 2024 Minnesota State Fair included the inaugural FFA Weld Off. Noah Christen, a
Christen places at top of inaugural welding competition
member of the Sauk Centre FFA Chapter, participated and was deemed champion of the first-ever competition. Noah successfully completed the task of building a metal campfire grate using blueprints that allowed him time to prepare.
“I knew he had potential,” said Glen Christen, Noah’s dad. “Looking at his grate, it did look good compared to the rest.”
Noah finished the 90-minute competition with roughly 2.5 minutes to spare.
“We got all the pieces,” Noah said. “They were cut and bent, but we had to follow a blueprint and assemble.”
The competition was held in rounds with two people competing simultaneously.
“I was the last one to compete, and
I was able to look at all the finished ones,” Noah said. “Looking at them, I figured I was in the top three.”
The grates were assessed on five categories. Judges scored on whether the components matched plan dimensions, quality of welds, overall construction, technique and craftsmanship.
An example grate was provided to show contestants.
“There were actually a couple errors in (the example), so some people just copied the example,” Noah said. “That didn’t match the blueprint, so you had to read the blueprint and figure out how to make it.”
During the competition, competitors were given pieces of scrap metal to help with adjusting the welder. Noah said setting up a welder consisted of changing the wire speed and the volts desired for the material that was welded.
Christen page 8B
PHOTO BY SARAH MIDDENDORF Noah Christen stands with his campfire grate and prize welder Nov. 18, 2024, on his family farm in rural Sauk Centre. Noah started welding in 2020 during his free time.
CHRISTEN SECURES THIRD PLACE IN TRACTOR OPERATION
SAFETY
While at the 2024 Minnesota State Fair, Noah Christen also competed in the FFA Safe Tractor Operator’s Contest, where he placed third.
“They’ve been doing that one (the contest) forever,” said Glen Christen, Noah’s dad. “I competed in that one at the 4-H level.”
FFA members were evaluated on five areas — written examination, tractor safety, practical examination, a twowheel driving event and a fourwheel driving event.
The goal of the competition is to have the lowest points total. Penalty points are accumulated for incorrect answers and driving course violations.
Following the 50-question written exam, contestants were given four minutes to inspect a tractor for roughly 10 maintenance or safety issues.
“The oil will be low. The tire will be flat. A pin will be missing, (or) it’s left in gear,” Noah said of potential problems.
The competition ends with the driving events. Each competitor is given four minutes per course.
The two-wheel cart had to be driven through a course that entails aspects of backing up as well as going through short corners, while the four-wheel cart simply has to be driven straight out and backed in next to where it originated.
“The four-wheel was a little bit of a challenge, but it wasn’t horrible,” Noah said.
Christen from 7B
Having a weld that turns out in the end can be rewarding, he said.
“(My favorite is) when you get it to sound just perfect as you are welding,” Noah said.
Noah started welding in 2020 during his free time due to school being at home.
“That would have been the first time I really started welding more,” Noah said.
Glen has a welding shop on their family farm, which is where he helped teach Noah and his brother, Mitchell, aspects of welding.
“(My dad) mostly just handed us the welder and said, ‘Go for it,’” Noah said.
“Every once in a while, he said, ‘Do this a little different.’”
Glen agreed.
“(They) had an idea of what they were supposed to be doing,” Glen said.
Since then, Noah has built a go-cart with Mitchell and a pulling lawn mower with FFA member Rylan Pallow; he also has helped weld on the Sauk Centre FFA tractor restoration project that was given away in a raffle.
After winning first place, Noah was awarded a welder and is planning on fabricating a cart for his new tool during the school year.
PHOTO BY SARAH MIDDENDORF
Noah Christen welds metal together Nov. 18, 2024, on his family farm in rural Sauk Centre. Noah placed first in the FFA Weld Off competition at the Minnesota State Fair.
PHOTO SUBMITTED Noah holds his finished campfire grate Sept. 1, 2024, at the Minnesota State Fair. FFA members were given 90 minutes to weld the grate together, while following the blueprint.
PHOTO SUBMITTED
Noah Christen drives a tractor through the course Aug. 30, 2024, at the Minnesota State Fair. There were five areas on which FFA members were evaluated — written examination, tractor safety, practical examination, a two-wheel driving event and a four-wheel driving event.
The Long Prairie FFA Chapter consists of Kiera Welters (front, from left), Issabelle Otremba, Lainey Tchida, Cierra Kuehne, Makensie Parker and Caylee Kuehne; (middle, from left) Easton Hollenkamp, Owen Pesta, Allison Scott, Chloe Zigan, Avery Johnson, Kloe Petron, Maddison Parker and Lilly Stanley; (back, from left) adviser Curt Gjerstad, Chris Price, Ethan Richert, Carter Denny, Everett Burkle, Aiden Cable and Jax Zigan.
from left) Dan Frericks, Alex Mascho, Riley Kerfeld, Megan Frieler, Brooke Goihl, Reese Tschida, Jenna Van Beck , Peyton Wensmann, Sophia Kasper, Abby Herkenhoff, Elaine Herkenhoff, Ellie Middendorf and Jackson Haskamp; (back , from left) Thatcher Van Beck , Teddy Wiechman, Bryce Mascho, Aiden Hellermann, Ava Smith, Naomi Wiechman, Carson Middendorf, Grace Herdering, Gretta Kasper, Monika Frericks, Emmett Massmann and Abigail Koltes. Not pictured are Jared Toenyan, Isabelle Vogel, Whitney Pundsack, Daniel Sunderman, Kelli Pundsack and Logan Frieler.
Aiden Hellermann (from left), Naomi Wiechman, Grace Herdering, Carson Middendorf, Gretta Kasper, Ava Smith and Monika Frericks.
My family was never involved with FFA until my siblings and I joined the agricultural organization. From the moment my brother, Dillon Breth, decided to be a part of FFA, all of us girls — Miranda Kalthoff, Makayla Sonnenburg and I — knew we were going to follow in his footsteps. What we had not planned, however, is that each of our experiences would culminate with earning the highest degree an FFA member can achieve.
My sisters and I each attained our American FFA Degree, earning trips to Indianapolis, Indiana. They received theirs in 2019 and 2022. I was awarded mine in October 2024.
The most important thing was that it does not matter how long you do something, but rather how much you put into it and how hard you work.
My American FFA Degree is not something I always thought I was going to obtain. After being out of FFA, I recollected and realized I had a lot of great memories. I did not know why I needed a little gold emblem to prove all that I had accomplished. After all, it would just replace my state degree.
By Emily Breth STAFF WRITER
While all three of us came from a similar background, all our degree applications looked quite different.
I originally joined FFA because I wanted to be like my older siblings. It was not until I started getting involved that I realized why I stuck with it.
FFA was a place where anyone could find a competition or event, whether they wanted to either grow in it or just have fun.
After my siblings took on leadership roles, I naturally followed suit. My sisters served as officers for our chapter, holding roles from vice president and treasurer to historian. During my years in FFA, I served as treasurer and president. Within FFA, I competed in a wide range of career and leadership development events, including agricultural technology and mechanical systems, meats evaluation and technology, milk quality and products, and parliamentary procedure. My main two were veterinary science and creed speaking.
Throughout all the competitions, I learned many things; however, what I learned in order to succeed in each competition was not the most important thing I took with me.
I was on the fence about putting in the work, but deep down, I knew I would regret not trying. As I talked to a couple of people, I realized how much FFA played a role in my life. I also realized obtaining this degree was not about the little medal, but rather about proving to myself that I play a substantial role in agriculture and within my chapter.
During my years in FFA, I learned many things, from what it means to be a good leader to developing quality public speaking skills. I owe who I am today to FFA and growing up on my parents’ farm. The life lessons I learned will forever be something I carry with me, like my American FFA Degree.
As less than 1% of FFA members receive their American FFA Degree, it is an honor to say I did it. Minnesota averages around 15,650 FFA members, and on average, around 100 of those members obtain their American FFA Degree per year.
My siblings and I spent years dedicated to our chapter and participating with other chapters, whether at a barn dance, being a region officer, selling fruit, or attending state convention and camps. Each of us had our own motivations to push as hard as we did within the agricultural industry; that continues even today.
FFA awards five degrees, which students work to earn during their membership. Here’s a snapshot explaining each:
Awarded at the chapter level
Seventh and eighth grade members who meet requirements are eligible. These requirements include participating in chapter-level activities, understanding agricultural-related careers and being familiar with the chapter program.
Awarded at the chapter level
All members who meet requirements are eligible. Requirements include being enrolled in an agriculture class and having plans for a supervised agricultural experience to having knowledge of FFA and its history.
FFA DEGREE
Awarded
at the chapter level
Awarded to an FFA chapter’s top members. Members in grade 9 or above who meet requirements are eligible. Requirements include obtaining the Greenhand FFA Degree, demonstrating different abilities and leadership skills learned through FFA, and completing numerous hours of agriculture classes and community service.
Awarded at the state level
Awarded to a state FFA association’s top members. Members who have completed 24 months with the organization are eligible.
To achieve, members must obtain a Chapter FFA Degree; invest a listed amount and work a listed number of hours in a supervised agricultural experience; complete a specified number of community service hours, demonstrate leadership; and participate in activities throughout FFA.
at the national level
Awarded to the national organization’s top members. Members who have completed 36 months with the organization are eligible.
To achieve, members must receive their State FFA Degree; acquire a specified number hours for agricultural education, community service and their SAE; graduate at least 12 months prior to national convention; and maintain records for leadership. This is the highest honor awarded to an FFA member.
Awarded
Tractors from 14B
“By donating these tractors to the Toys for Tots drive, our chapter can also inspire the spirit of giving to others in the community.”
The chapter understands the importance of spreading holiday cheer to the community.
“(I believe) these children will be more than happy to receive these tractors,” Jordyn said.
The Holdingford FFA Chapter also puts in countless hours each year restoring a tractor that eventually gets raffled off by their alumni chapter.
“I feel a sense of pride at what the students and advisers are able to do together,” Abby said. “I also feel grateful to the members of the community who participated in buying the raffle tickets to help raise funds for our
FFA chapter.”
Tractor restoration is one of Josh’s talents that he enjoys sharing with the chapter.
“Seeing our chapter restore the tractor is impressive to see because we get to see how it comes to us and the state it is at,” he said. “We then continue to work many long hours on the tractor to restore it back to its original beauty. We also enjoy seeing people's reactions to the (restored) tractors.”
There are various jobs that need to be finished in order to refurbish the tractor to its former glory. Rebuilding the engine, cleaning individual parts and sandblasting are some of the tasks the students and advisers have to complete.
Typically, it takes 12-18 months to restore the trac-
FFA members work on restoring a tractor Dec. 11, 2024, at the
School in
Rebuilding the engine, cleaning individual parts and sandblasting are some of the tasks that the students and advisers have to complete.
tor, Josh said. FFA members work on the tractor during the school year and the summer to get it done.
As if two tractorrelated activities were not enough, the chapter also puts together a children’s pedal pull contest during Holdingford Daze. The officer team helps with various tasks during the pedal pull — signing kids up, measuring the distance traveled, returning the sled to the start line and helping the kids along the way. The top three children of each age group are also awarded
with ribbons.
“My favorite part of putting on the pedal pull for the smaller kids is watching them try their hardest,” Korin said.
Making a difference in the community is something the Holdingford FFA Chap-
ter hopes to continue to do.
“As a leader for our chapter, we hope to keep donating to our community for many years, and we hope to make a difference in some people's lives,” Korin said.
Proudly supporting young farmers.
The future of farming and agriculture is in our local young farmers’ hands. Magnifi Financial is proud to support local farmers and FFA.
PHOTOS
Holdingford High
Holdingford.
Holdingford FFA members run the kids pedal pull July 13, 2024, during the Holdingford Daze in Holdingford. The officer team helps with various tasks during the pedal pull — signing kids up, measuring the distance traveled, returning the sled to the start line and helping the kids along the way.
NEW HOLLAND IS A PROUD SUPPORTER OF FFA.
We believe in the future of agriculture. FFA activities help students learn, advance and develop the leadership skills that strengthen our local communities and American agriculture as a whole. New Holland and our dealerships salute these agricultural leaders of tomorrow. Look to New Holland for all your farming needs today and tomorrow.
We believe in the future of agriculture. FFA activities help students learn, advance and develop the leadership skills that strengthen our local communities and American agriculture as a whole. New Holland and our dealership salute these agricultural leaders of tomorrow. Look to New Holland for for all your farming needs today and tomorrow.
