MN FFA Wraps Up The 2022 Convention
 The final day of the 93rd Minnesota FFA Convention saw a new slate of state officers installed to lead the organization as the event concluded.
The 2022-2023 Minnesota FFA president is Emma Kuball from the Waterville-Elysian-Morristown FFA chapter.
Named vice president was Natalie Beckendorf of Renville County West FFA.
Makenzie Alberts, Pine Island FFA, will serve as state secretary.
The treasurer is Brynn Lozinski from the MCCRAY FFA.
Caidyn Johnson is the new reporter. He is from the Fertile-Beltrami FFA.
The sentinel position will be filled by Noah Erickson, Morris Area FFA.
Among the team’s responsibilities in the coming year are planning of FFA leadership events and the 2023 Minnesota FFA convention.
Gopher Football Coach Motivates Students
P.J. Fleck, head football coach at the University of Minnesota, gave a rousing keynote address in today’s opening session, encouraging FFA members to have a “massive vision” for their lives.
“Create the biggest dream for yourself that you possibly can,” said Fleck, then referring to his popular mantra and the name of his recent book, Row the Boat. “As FFA members, you are the future leaders of America. Being a leader comes with an incredible amount of responsibility. ‘Row the Boat’ is meant to be a never-give-up lifestyle. How will you row together as FFA to create a brighter future?”
Outstanding Students Recognized
Finalists in Career Development and Leadership Development Events were celebrated during today’s general sessions and the first place winners were announced. First place winners will advance to the national competition. To view the placings in each event as they become final, follow this link: 2022 Convention Results.
Agriscience project participants in the area of Power, Structural and Technical Systems may wrestle with comparisons of energy outputs from alternative fuel sources or examine the efficiency of a ventilation system. First place winners in this category are: Braden Hansen, Kerkhoven-Murdock-Sunburg; Colton Noble and Joshua Jones, Kerkhoven-Murdock-Sunburg; Olivia Noble, Kerkhoven-Murdock-Sunburg; and Morgan Langenburg, Chatfield.
The top Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) projects in the Power, Structural and Technical Systems Pathway were also recognized. First place winners and their FFA Chapters include:
  • Agricultural Mechanics Design and Fabrication – Jayson Delfs, Edgerton, sponsored by John Deere;
  • Agricultural Mechanics Repair and Maintenance Entrepreneurship – Gina Huhnerkoch, Redwood Valley, sponsored by NAPA; and
  • Agricultural Mechanics Repair and Maintenance Placement – Caleb Besmehn, Glencoe-Silver Lake.
Students specializing in the area of Environmental Service and Natural Resource Systems for their Agriscience project might compare the movement of water through different soil types or study the effects of cropping practices on wildlife. First place Agriscience winners from this pathway are: Jacques Anderson, the Academy for Sciences and Agriculture; Carson Sawatzky and Jacob Lehne, Kerkhoven-Murdock-Sunburg; Reid Ellis-Cramer, the Academy for Sciences and Agriculture; and Erin Devaney, the Academy for Sciences and Agriculture.
First place Environmental Science and Natural Resources proficiency winners and their FFA chapters include:
  • Environmental Science and Natural Resources Management – Maloree Gartner, Maple River, sponsored by Johnson Outdoors;
  • Forest Management and Products  – Dylan Heiderscheidt, Medford, sponsored by Vermeer Sales and Services;
  • Outdoor Recreation – Lilly Neubauer, United South Central, sponsored by the Minnesota FFA Foundation; and
  • Wildlife Production and Management – Katherine Miller, Stillwater, sponsored by George and Mary Peichel.
The 2022 first place proficiency winners in the Agribusiness Systems pathway include:
  • Agricultural Communications – Morgan Hoffmann, Sleepy Eye, sponsored by The Farmer;
  • Agricultural Education – Ella Fuhr, Redwood Valley, sponsored by the Jim Ertl Fund;
  • Agricultural Processing – Lydia Rylaarsdam, Edgerton, sponsored by the CHS Foundation;
  • Agricultural Sales Entrepreneurship – Jana Johnson, Mankato, sponsored by Bremer Bank;
  • Agricultural Sales Placement – Matthew Schell, Lewiston-Altura, sponsored by Peterson Farms Seed;
  • Agricultural Services – Kole Wenner, Maple River, sponsored by Rosen’s Diversified;
  • Food Service – Kaitlyn Mathies, Eden Valley-Watkins, sponsored by McDonald’s; and
  • Service Learning  – Eric Gunderson, Grand Rapids, sponsored by Minnesota BioFuels Association.
Staples-Motley FFA Wins Premier Chapter Award
Eighteen chapters from Minnesota received gold rankings for their National Chapter Award applications. The Minnesota state finalists for the top ranking chapter were: Staples-Motley, Sleepy Eye and Chatfield. Staples-Motley FFA was awarded the 2022 Premier Chapter and was also honored earlier in the day with the Agricultural Literacy Award, supported by Minnesota Ag in the Classroom.
Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted Receives Land of Service Award
The Minnesota FFA Land of Service Award is annually given out to one chapter that has done an incredible amount of volunteer work. The winner is determined by calculating the economic impact of every hour volunteered. This year, the Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted Chapter contributed the equivalent of $96,179.80 to their local community.
Retiring State Officer Team
Minnesota FFA State Vice-President Wyatt Halvorsen delivered his retiring address, “Authentic Integrity,” in the fifth and final session of the convention.
Retiring Minnesota FFA State President Emily Matejka presented her address, “Great Expectations,” encouraging members to let go of outside expectations in order to embrace their own truth.
“We’ve all had those moments where we feel the pressure to meet endless expectations. We all have those preconceived notions about what the future ‘should be,’” said Matejka. “When we focus on this ‘should be,’ we lose sight of what ‘could be.’ Instead of focusing on the expectations of others, set the expectation for yourself to pursue the aspirations that bring you joy. ”