BROOKINGS, South Dakota – A total of 40 members from District Four were awarded their State FFA Degree during the 96th South Dakota FFA Convention, April 18-20, at the Dacotah Bank Center.

The State Degree is the highest honor the South Dakota FFA Association can bestow upon its members. In order to achieve the award, members must meet the following requirements; have received their Chapter FFA Degree, been an FFA member and agricultural education student for at least two years, earned at least $2,000, or worked 600 hours in their Supervised Agricultural Experience program, given a six-minute speech about agriculture or FFA, participated in eight different leadership activities, received a “C” average or better in high school and shown a record of outstanding leadership and community involvement.

The members who met these qualifications and their respective FFA Chapters from District Four are: Andes Central – Riata Bultje; Bridgewater-Emery – Alexis Mae Golder, Carter Jay Hofer, Jase Kenneth Einar Kayser, Cash Daniel Lehrman, Zachary Craig Tuschen, Victoria Jalyn VanSickle, Jade Rebecca Weber; Colome – Joseph Thomas Laprath; Ethan – Michael Freeman; Kimball – Luke Leheska; McCook Central – Owen Alley, Ryan Blagg, Kaizha Blase, Jase Heumiller, Isabela Jimenez, Paul Kaffar, Vivian Koepsell, Carter Randall, Will Rotert, Noah Schnee, Derek Schock, Marah Schock, Grace Stoffel, Haden Stoffel, Abby Wagner; Mitchell – Ally Henkel, Marlena Retzlaff, Kallie Volk; Parkston – Grace Lindeman; Platte-Geddes – Hadley Marie Hanson, Skyler Lee Hanten, Hannah Lee Kirsch, Harper Jean Kirsch, Abbi Jo Larson, Baleigh Mae Nachtigal, Tristen Phillip Petrik, Emerson Jean Ringling, Garret Lee Varilek; Winner – Bailey Rae Fairbanks.

South Dakota FFA awarded the state degree charm to 319 FFA members from across the state this year.

Each state degree recipient receives a state degree charm – a symbol of the member’s growth and development – sponsored by Todd & Barbara Powell; Barry & Jenny Jacobson; The Jacobson Group LLC; West Central FFA Alumni; Rechelle & Eric Dissing; Dan Streff Family; Sandy Osterday; CharLee Bachman; Kent Buchholz; Noelle & Andrew Swanson; Kevin & Amber Blagg; Steven Zemlicka; Myles & Mercedes Snedeker; Red River Farm Network; Dacotah Diamon Auctions and Equipment; Jeff & Beth Vanderwal; Peterson Livestock; First PREMIER Bank; Lance & Shirley Howe family; Wyatt & Zana DeJong; Dani Herring; Stella Nagel; Olson Family; Brad & Trixie Grill; Dawnwind Dairy Goats; and Wendy Mortenson Agency.

Photos may be available upon request depending on student availability.

The National FFA Organization is a national youth organi-zation of 850,823 student members as part of 8,995 local FFA chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. As part of the National FFA Organization, the South Dakota FFA Association encompasses 111 chapters with over 6,400 South Dakota FFA members. 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. Visit www.sdaged.org for more information.