Decorah FFA Chapter Excels at State
The Decorah FFA competed at the 96th Iowa FFA Leadership Conference on April 15th and 16th at Iowa State University in Ames. Twenty-one Decorah FFA members attended this year’s conference, including Hadley Alexander, Annika Brynsaas, Brinlee Courtney, Brody Courtney, Madelynn Dahl, Braunwyn Darrington, Kiele Eberling, Karlie Einck, Anders Lovstuen, Lyla Lovstuen, Mara Lovstuen, Creed Monroe, Gabe Monroe, Travis Nordheim, Jeramiah Rediske, Eden Scheidel, Isabella Schnitzler, Derek Tieskoetter, Kamryn Werges, Kolton Werges, and Thea Zidlicky.
Results on State Qualifying Events
Annika Brynsaas, the 2023-2024 secretary of the Decorah FFA, submitted the Decorah FFA Secretary’s book for the state evaluation. The book received a gold rating and was awarded as the state champion. Brynsaas was recognized on the main stage and presented with a plaque.
Anders Lovstuen, 2023-2024 treasurer of the Decorah FFA, submitted the Decorah FFA treasurer’s book. The book received a gold rating and was awarded as the 3rd place treasurer’s book. Lovstuen was recognized on the main stage during the first general session.
Jeramiah Rediske, the 2023-2024 reporter of the Decorah FFA, submitted the Decorah FFA Reporter’s Book for the state evaluation. The book received a gold rating, and he was recognized on the main stage during the first general session.
Anders Lovstuen competed in the ag sales individual leadership development event. He received a gold rating and was recognized on the main stage during the first general session.
Proficiency Awards
Decorah FFA had six members submit a proficiency application this year. Brody Courtney was named the state winner in Dairy Production Entrepreneurship. Courtney’s proficiency was recognized during the second general session. Other members who submitted a proficiency application to state included Annika Brynsaas–Ag Sales Placement, gold rating; Creed Monroe–Ag Services Placement, silver rating; Jeramiah Rediske–Beef Production Entrepreneurship, silver rating; Kayleigh Smith–Dairy Production Placement, gold rating; and Jordan Sims–Swine Production, bronze rating. These awards are based on Supervised Agricultural Experiences (SAEs) and the skills that have been developed through these experiences.
State Ag Skills Career Development Event
The Ag Sales Team, consisting of Anders Lovstuen, Gabe Monroe, Madelynn Dahl, and Mara Lovstuen, received a silver rating.
The Poultry Evaluation team received a silver rating. Members of this team include Travis Nordheim, Eden Scheidel, and Thea Zidlicky. This career development event is designed to provide the students an opportunity to evaluate chickens and poultry products as well as test their general poultry management knowledge.
The FFA Greenhand Quiz was taken by Hadley Alexander and Isabella Schnitzler. This is a quiz based on members showcasing their knowledge about the FFA organizations. Alexander and Schnitzler both received silver ratings.
Iowa FFA Degree
The Decorah FFA also had members who earned individual awards and degrees. The Iowa FFA Degree is the highest honor a member may receive from the state. FFA participants who qualify have completed the three-circle model’s minimum participation requirements: SAE, FFA, and Classroom/Laboratory. This year seven members of the Decorah FFA received this honor: Annika Brynsaas, Brody Courtney, Kiele Eberling, Anders Lovstuen, Jeramiah Rediske, Kayleigh Smith, and Kolton Werges.
Stars Over Iowa
Jeramiah Rediske was named the 2024 Star in Iowa Agriculture Production state winner. This award category is based on an entrepreneurship/ownership Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) program in a production agriculture area. Rediske keeps records from his beef cattle operation.
State FFA Officer
Creed Monroe ran for state FFA office and was elected to serve as the Iowa FFA State Northeast District Vice President. As a State FFA Officer, Monroe will embark on a journey of personal and professional growth, collaborating with fellow officers, advisors, and stakeholders to advance the goals of the FFA organization.
Additional Contest Results and Activities
The Decorah FFA Chapter earned a gold rating in the National Chapter Award Program and will advance to the national evaluation. The National Chapter Award program is a contest designed to encourage chapters to plan activities and carry them out with a successful program of activities. Chapters are recognized for outstanding achievement in the areas of student development, chapter development, and community development. Derek Tieskoetter accepted the award on behalf of the chapter during the second general session.
Members also took part in a variety of events that took place throughout the Iowa FFA Leadership Conference and attended the career show. Braunwyn Darrington competed in the FFA talent show, Brinlee Courtney participated in Massing of the Flags, Eden Scheidel served as a state courtesy corps member, and Karlie Einck and Kamryn Werges served as the chapter’s delegates and attended the state FFA association’s business session.
The chapter also volunteered for one of the shifts with the Iowa FFA Service Project by helping the Iowa FFA Association package 200,000 meals. These meals will be donated to help those in need.
Twenty-one Decorah FFA members attended the 96th Iowa FFA Leadership Conference at the Iowa State University Campus in Ames.
(l-r): Row 1: Braunwyn Darrington, Madelynn Dahl, Hadley Alexander, Lyla Lovstuen, Isabella Schnitzler
Row 2: Joni Bruvold (Decorah FFA Advisor), Kiele Eberling, Kamryn Werges, Brinlee Courtney, Creed Monroe, Karlie Einck, Eden Scheidel, Anders Lovstuen, Annika Brynsaas
Row 3: Blake Courtney (Assistant Decorah FFA Advisor), Gabe Monroe, Kolton Werges, Brody Courtney, Derek Tieskoetter, Jeramiah Rediske, Travis Nordheim, Thea Zidlicky, Mara Lovstuen
Seven Decorah FFA members received their Iowa FFA Degree.
(l-r): Row 1: Anders Lovstuen, Annika Brynsaas, Kiele Eberling.
Row 2: Brody Courtney, Kolton Werges, Jeramiah Rediske. Absent: Kayleigh Smith
Creed Monroe: Iowa FFA State Northeast District Vice President
Jeramiah Rediske was named the 2024 Star in Iowa Agriculture Production state winner
Annika Brynsaas, the 2023-2024 secretary of the Decorah FFA, submitted the Decorah FFA Secretary’s book for the state evaluation. The book received a gold rating and was awarded as the state champion.
Anders Lovstuen competed in the ag sales individual leadership development event. He received a gold rating and was recognized on the main stage during the first general session.
Brody Courtney was named the state winner in Dairy Production Entrepreneurship.
