The Gregory County FFA chapter has been actively competing since the start of the Career Development Event (CDE) season in March. Their first competition took place in Bridgewater/Emery on March 3, where 37 members participated across 11 contests. The results were eagerly awaited, and the team secured four top 10 finishes, with several individuals placing in the top 20.
Following their strong start, 43 members attended the Howard CDE on March 10. Surrounded by hands-on agricultural competitions and real-world problem-solving scenarios, the team delivered an impressive performance. Full results included:
Ag Mechanics: 10th place team
Mac Zimbelman (9th)
Nick Kenzy (10th)
William Sinkular (40th)
Mitch Zimbelman (43rd)
Mason Simison (90th)
Bentley Dehning (129th)
Agronomy: 12th place team
Maddox Mayer (48th)
Ben Stevicks (52nd)
Riki Bruns (59th)
Mattie Kerner (66th)
Shyanna Steffen (74th)
Ag Business: 13th place team
Avery Zeisler (8th)
Ava Kerner (52nd)
Floriculture: 14th place team
Charissa Ring (35th)
Raylynn Dehning (40th)
Lily Jacobsen (63rd)
Daytona Paris (109th)
Food Science: 13th place team
Miley Janak (7th)
Ellyse Grage (16th)
Emerson Swan (45th)
Libby Krcil (47th)
Horse Evaluation: 19th place team
Morgan Peck (11th)
Katelynn Hagberg (76th)
Tamara Imhof (100th)
Emily Diekmann (103rd)
Livestock Evaluation: 23rd place team
Carter Baumgartner (76th)
Taylor Zeisler (78th)
Vanessa Fischer (105th)
Meats Evaluation: 5th place team
Leo Mosterd (19th)
Tyler Kenzy (22nd)
Aiden Frasch (25th)
Morgan Tietgen (44th)
Natural Resources: 23rd place team
Matt Smith (38th)
Jes VanderPol (109th)
Jabin Talsma (136th)
Poultry Evaluation: 8th place team
Abby Engel (15th)
Claire Engel (29th)
Lorelei Martin (40th)
Ellie Talsma (51st)
Vet Science: 28th place team
Naomi Hanson (53rd)
Aubree Miller (70th)
On March 17, Gregory County FFA members participated in their final practice event before districts, attending the Tri-Valley FFA Alumni CDE in Sioux Falls. This highly competitive event featured over 50 schools and 2,000 participants. Full results included:
Ag Mechanics: 15th of 44 teams
Mitch Zimbelman (51st)
William Sinkular (65th)
Mac Zimbelman (66th)
Mason Simison (83rd)
Agronomy: 19th of 36 teams
Maddox Mayer (44th)
Shyanna Steffen (70th)
Ben Stevicks (82nd)
Mattie Kerner (97th)
Farm Business Management: 19th of 25 teams
Avery Zeisler (23rd)
Ava Kerner (60th)
Floriculture: 11th of 47 teams
Charissa Ring (12th)
Lily Jacobson (17th)
Vanessa Fischer (158th)
Food Science: 8th of 26 teams
Daytona Paris (5th)
Libby Krcil (55th)
Ellyse Grage (56th)
Miley Janak (59th)
Emerson Swan (89th)
Horse Evaluation: 24th of 44 teams
Emily Diekmann (37th)
Katelynn Hagberg (87th)
Tamara Imhof (111th)
Morgan Peck (129th)
Livestock Evaluation: 42nd of 50 teams
Taylor Zeisler (73rd)
Carter Baumgartner (120th)
Meats Evaluation: 16th of 28 teams
Leo Mosterd (17th)
Morgan Tiegen (71st)
Caleb Sinclair (92nd)
Natural Resources: 30th of 45 teams
Matthew Smith (76th)
Jes VanderPol (147th)
Jabin Talsma (189th)
Poultry Evaluation: 11th of 27 teams
Lorelei Martin (24th)
Claire Engel (37th)
Abby Engel (51st)
Ellie Talsma (73rd)
Vet Science: 44th of 47 teams
Naomi Hanson (113th)
With just one more contest before the District 4 event on March 25, the Gregory County FFA members have shown dedication and determination throughout the season. Their hard work continues to pay off, and they look forward to future competitions. Congratulations to all participants on their outstanding performances!
