2023 Winter & Spring ND FFA Foundation Newsletter

greetings from the NDFFA Foundation

WORDS FROM OUR PRESIDENT

This newsletter will provide you with many updates and happenings of the ND FFA Foundation as well as activities of the more than 7,000 FFA members across the state of North Dakota. I will keep my comments short for this newsletter, as you will see it is packed with information.

I would like to welcome Glen Huettl to the Foundation Board and also thank Misty Steeke for her years of service as a board member. Thank you to all of our donors and supporters of the Foundation and an extra thank you to our newest Star Partners and donors. As a result of your generous support, we raised over $31,800 which was added to our endowment fund. The Blue Jacket Bright Futures program gave ND FFA members 240 FFA jackets. Recently Giving Hearts Day raised over $67,000 for the benefit of ND FFA and over $73,000 if you count an exciting award

we won for our efforts (you’ll read more on page 5!).

Take time and read through the newsletter and see what the ND FFA has been doing. The newsletter includes results of the National Convention, LDE Day, Winter CDEs, SAE/College Scholarship Recipients and other activities of the ND FFA. The ND FFA Foundation was established to support the leadership development opportunities and activities of the ND FFA and ag education.

On behalf of the Board, we are gratified and proud to see the results of our support for the North Dakota FFA members and their dedicated advisors.

We look forward to the State Convention this spring and our 2nd annual Blue and Gold Gala next fall. We hope you can join!

$17,500 in College Scholarships

Eighteen ND FFA members and ND State FFA Officers were awarded college scholarships. Meet the recipients on page 17!

$49,500 in National FFA Convention Travel Stipends

The ND FFA Foundation helped 99 ND FFA members and American Degree recipients attend and compete at the National FFA convention by providing each member a $500 travel stipend!

Foundation Updates

2021-2022 ND FFA FOUNDATION FOUNDATION BOARD

Rueben Weigelt, President

Travis Maddock, Vice President

Pam Tonnessen, Secretary

Kristi Tonnessen, Treasurer

Adam Marx, Teacher Representative (NDSU)

Nikki Fideldy-Doll, ND FFA Association Representative

Victoria Moreno, Past FFA State Sentinel

Faith Norby, Current FFA State Reporter

Darin Spelhaug, Teacher Representative

Glen Huettl, Industry/Donor Representative

Allen Giese, Industry/Donor Representative

Joshua DeMorrett, Industry/Donor Representative

Zane Manhart, Industry/Donor Representative

Joshua Swanson, Industry/Donor Representative

Jason Rohr, Industry/Donor Representative

Ben Van Berkom, Industry/Donor Representative

FOUNDATION STAFF

ConocoPhillips ND Farmers Union North Dakota Farm Bureau

NDSCS

Plains Ag

Country Farm Credit Services/Farm Credit Services of Mandan

Stockmen’s Association Agtegra Cooperative Home etc. -Tamra Maddock Keith & Cathy Peltier Travis & Miste Maddock

Ag Department Bell Bank

Fideldy-Doll/ Bruce & Lynelle Bachmeier Brooks Hetle Beth Allen

Blue Jackets

Bright Futures

350 applicants

240 jackets provided

58 chapters in ND received one or more jackets

Welcome to our newest Star Partners!

Bollingberg Seed Co

Scheresky Ag Service

Total Raised: $73,653.38

Upcoming Events

ND State FFA

Convention

June 5-8, 2023

Parent & Sponsor Banquet

presented by Ohnstad Twichell

June 7, 2023

2nd Annual ND FFA Foundation Blue & Gold Gala

November 18, 2023 at Radisson Blu in Fargo

Online Foundation + Alumni

Fundraising Auction

Open June 3-7

Check our website for details!

GLEN HUETTL

Welcome Glen Huettl

Our newest board member, Glen Huettl, was elected at our November meeting. He will serve as an Industry/Donor Representative. Glen is a former Ag Teacher and currently works for one of our Star Partners, Plains Ag, LLC.

ANOTHER Record-Breaking Giving Hearts Day!

With your help, the ND FFA Foundation raised more than $73,000 on Giving Hearts Day! This day-of-giving continues to be our largest annual fundraiser and we continue to break records year after year!

What’s even more special? The ND FFA Foundation received First Place for the second year in a row in the Giving Hearts Day “Donor Retention” category, which earned the Foundation an additional $6,000! Whether you gave We couldn’t have earned this award and prize without our friends and donors who support us on Giving Hearts Day every year. Winning this award for the second year in a row makes us so proud.

Your donations have greatly impacted the ND FFA Foundation.

Total Donors: 362

New Donors: 34

Three generations of the MacDonald family matched $1,500 of donations during Giving Hearts Day 2023.

Three Generations Combine for One Match Donation

The MacDonald family, consisting of three generations, united to create a significant impact for the North Dakota FFA Foundation this Giving Hearts Day. When asked to be a Match Donor for this online fundraising day, the entire family was willing and proud to join forces to give back to an organization they believe in and love.

The MacDonald family has a long history of involvement with the FFA. The family has always held the organization in high regard, beginning with patriarch Bill MacDonald, a member of the FFA in his youth. Bill and Linda instilled in their children the values of hard work, dedication, and service to others that they learned through farming/ranching together and his FFA experiences. Bill’s son, Will, followed in his footsteps and was active in the FFA during his high school years. Through the organization, Will found a passion for agriculture and leadership and continues farming alongside his wife, Jerilyn, and their children.

Like their parents and grandparents, the MacDonalds continued to be drawn to the FFA’s mission of developing young people’s potential for premier leadership, personal growth, and career success. They all credit the FFA with giving them the skills and confidence to pursue a career in agriculture.

The MacDonald family’s connection to the FFA runs deep and meaningful. They believe in the organization’s ability to inspire and prepare young people to positively impact their communities. That’s what drives their decisions to support the North Dakota FFA Foundation year after year. Their donation will help fund scholarships, leadership development programs and other initiatives that support the Foundation’s mission.

The MacDonald family hopes their contribution will inspire others to support the FFA and its important work. Investing in young people’s development is crucial to building a solid and sustainable future for North Dakota agriculture and our rural communities. By giving to the FFA, the MacDonalds are investing in that future and helping to create opportunities for the next generation of leaders in agriculture.

ARE YOU PART OF A MULTI-GENERATIONAL FAMILY OF FFA MEMBERS?

Contact Beth Allen to become a Match Donor, as a family, for next year’s Giving Hearts Day by emailing ballen@ndffa.org.

Agricultural Communications

Rugby - (5th place)

Katelyn Duchscher (1st Place), Amber Selensky, Rylie Suchor, Mya McNeff

Sponsor: ND FFA Foundation

Environmental & Natural Resources

Kindred - Silver

Cort McDonald, Emanuell Weber, Nicholas Dahl, Zander Swenson

Sponsor: ND FFA Foundation

$500

95th National FFA Convention Results

Agricultural Sales

Killdeer - (12th Place)

Faith Norby, Erin McFadden, Tate Simmons (11th Place), Abigail Sadowsky

Sponsor: CHS Foundation

Farm & Agribusiness Management

Kindred - Gold (3rd Place)

Jack Stoppleworth (3rd Place), Brett Baumgarten (10th Place), Kiley Kvamme, Andrew Trom

Agricultural Technology & Mechanical Systems

South Prairie - Silver

Cameron Sys, Layne Novak, Adam Newman, Annaliese Rauschenberger

Sponsor: Twin Cities Region Northland Ford Dealers

Agronomy

Fessenden-Bowdon - Gold

Regan Jones, Addison Neumiller, Joshua Crowder, Delaney Erfle

Sponsors: Bayer/Monsanto & Rock and Roll Roll Agronomy

Conduct of Chapter Meetings

Napoleon - Silver

Alexis Schneider, Anna Bitz, Jada Schwartzenberger, Sabrina Haas, Claire Piatz, Sierra Ratts, Logan Feist

Hebron - Silver

Jada Rolle, Mikayla Schneider, Aleya Dakken, Sophia Hauser

Sponsor: ND FFA Foundation

Food Science & Technology

Mandan - (8th Place)

Adam Gress (5th Place), Medora Ellingson, Paige

Friedt, Alexis Ritzman

Sponsor: ND FFA Foundation

Horse Evaluation

Killdeer - Gold

Ian Dukart, Shawna Burian, Shay Burian, Kacee

Wasem

Sponsor: ND FFA Foundation

Dairy Cattle Evaluation & Management

Rugby - Silver

Rylah Hager, Allison Selensky, Jaclyn Duchscher, Cole Anderson

Sponsor: ND FFA Foundation

Livestock Evaluation

Bowman County - Gold

Dillon Bowman, Mace Stuber, Jett Ouradnik, Kaylee Kinsey

Sponsor: North Dakota Rural Rehabilitation Corp

Meats Evaluation & Technology

Rugby - Silver

Amy Volk, Andrew Duchscher, Ryleigh Keating, Monica Yoder

Sponsor: ND FFA Foundation

LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT EVENTS

FFA Creed

Kristyn Bauer, Beulah - Silver

Sponsor: Missy and Jory Hansen

National Chapter Awards Chapter Awards

Sponsor: ND FFA Foundation

Garrison - 2 Star

Killdeer - 3 Star

Max - 3 Star

Napoleon - 2 Star

New Salem - 1 Star

Parshall - 2 Star

Richland 44 - National Premier Chapter

Rugby - 3 Star

Wahpeton - National Premier Chapter (Top 10)

Extemporaneous Public Speaking

Ty MacDonald, Bismarck - Silver

Sponsor: Noah Hall

Milk Quality & Products

Killdeer - Silver

Danielle Dobitz (8th Place), Liza Stahl, Kaidence

Fox, Claire McFadden

Sponsor: Midwest Dairy Assn. – ND Division

Prepared Public Speaking

Rhea Laib, Turtle Lake Mercer - Bronze

Sponsor: ND FFA Foundation

Nursery/Landscape

Des Lacs-Burlington - Bronze

Deborah Amsden, Brynn Hanson, Jacey Hutton, Sadie Sauer

Sponsor: ND FFA Foundation

Employment Skills

Abbigail Zeiszler, Garrison - Silver

Sponsor: ND FFA Foundation

Agriscience Fair

Sponsor: ND FFA Foundation

Dairy Handlers

American Degree Recipients

Sponsors: ND FFA Foundation, Northland Ford Dealers, CHS, Bayer

Rivers Bachman, Minot

Mariah Braasch, South Prairie FFA

Miranda Clarys, Mandan

Parliamentary Procedure

Napoleon - Silver

Trenton Erbele, Teagan Erbele, Alyssa Young, Karissa Mann, Jazlyn Weigel, Ava Moser

Sponsor: ND FFA Foundation

Veterinary Science

Richland 44 - Silver

Cora Hermunslie, Kalie Boehm, Nicholas Wulfekuhle, Cody Boehm

Sponsor: ND FFA Foundation

Talent

Ty MacDonald, Bismarck

Cassidy Strommen, Flasher

Sponsor: ND FFA Foundation

ND National FFA Chorus Member

Anna Palmer, Hebron

Sponsor: Leo Vossler Memorial Fund

ND National FFA Band Member

Evan Olson, Oakes-Sargent Central-Ellendale

Sponsor: Missy & Jory Hansen

Caylee Walth, Wishek - 2nd Place

Diversified Crop Production

Entrepreneurship Proficiency

Ben Scheresky, Max - National Finalist

Food Products & Processing Systems Division 1

Cody Boehm, Richland 44 - (6th Place)

Food Products & Processing Systems Division 3

Kalie Boehm, Richland 44 - (6th Place)

Plant Systems Division 1

Marisa Mumm, Wahpeton - (2nd Place)

Power, Structural & Technical Systems Division 1

Aidyn Fischer, Scranton - (4th Place)

Social Science Division 1

Kyan Stadheim, Scranton - (3rd Place)

Social Science Division 5

Taylor Johnson, Max - (5th Place)

Courtesy Corps

Bradley Krebs, New England

Sponsor: ND FFA Foundation

Tyrel Clarys, Mandan

Kaitlin Dixon, Mandan

Iris Dukart, Killdeer

Sierra Ellingson, Mandan

Skyla Folden, Garrison

Caleb Hauck, Oakes-Sargent Central

Calli Hauck, Oakes-Sargent Central

Benjamin Heger, Garrison

Fayth Hoger, New Salem

Breanna Hosman, Hebron

Samantha Johnson, New Salem

Brady Kallenbach, Maddock A.S. Gibbens

Bradyn Lachenmeier, Kidder County

Jayden MacDonald, Bismarck

Cade Majeres, Garrison

Aidan McMahon, Granville

Tate Novodvorsky, South Prairie

Jacklyn Pazdernik, New Salem

John Rath, Bismarck

Megan Rodine, Oakes-Sargent Central

Shayla Rolla, Watford City

Karlee Sailer, Beulah

Bailey Schock, Mandan

Jacob Seelye, Wahpeton

Dazey Sevland, Granville

Abbigale Steeke, Scranton

Jacob Strobel, McClusky

Jon Strobel, McClusky

Stetson Urlacher, New England

Honorary American Degree Recipients

Sponsors: ND FFA Foundation and the ND FFA Association

Brooks Hetle

Brooke Thiel

Troy Enga

Paul Berg (not pictured)

Leadership Development Event Results

The ND State LDE Day was held on January 19th at the Bismarck Events Center. Thank you to the North Dakota Department of Agriculture for sponsoring the event!

The winners of the events qualified to represent North Dakota and compete at the National FFA Convention. Congratulations to the winning individuals and teams!

High Individuals: 6

DISTRICT LEADERSHIP

High Teams: 3

Prepared Public Speaking

Jule Stenson, Divide County

Sponsor: REC Association

Employment Skills

Annaliese Rauschenberger, South Prairie

Sponsor: First International Bank & Trust and Jace & Breanna Pastir

Extemporaneous Public Speaking

Grant Anderson, Harvey

Sponsor: Bryan & Janet Strom

FFA Creed

Maksim Nelson, New Salem

Sponsors: Farmers Mutual of Nebraska, Papa’s Pumpkin Patch and Robyn Essler, Traveling Trophy by Samantha Lies Rebel

Demonstration

Kirstyn Bauer, Beulah

Sponsor: North Central State Regional Council for Carpenters

District Conferences were held across the state the week of December 12th, 2022. Winners from these events became eligible to compete for the state title LDE Day (featured below). These conferences would not be possible without our generous friends and sponsors.

Conduct of Chapter Meetings

Rugby

Katelyn Mattern, Carter Teigen, Sara Schmaltz, Reese Gullickson, Austin Duchscher, Tailyr Bush, Paisley Wangler

Sponsor: ND FFA Foundation

Parliamentary Procedure

Napoleon

Teagan Erbele, Alyssa Young, Karissa Mann, Jazlyn Weigel, Ava Moser, Trenton Erbele, Anthony Horner, Jada Schwartzenberger, Anna Bitz

Sponsor: David & Jodi Leier

Thank you to our incredible District Leadership Sponsors:

Bryan & Janet Strom, Jeff & Jan Topp Extemporaneous Public Speaking

ND FFA Alumni Greenhand Quiz

Jason Rohr & Heather Tomlin-Rohr Creed Speaking

Roger & Kari Christenson Demonstration

Jeff & Jan Topp

Prepared Public Speaking

Dakota Community Bank & Trust & CHS Southwest Grain District 7 & 8 Events

Dakota Quality Grain Coop District 1 Events

Quiz

HIGH Team Glen Ullin

HIGH INDIVIDUAL

Elijah Gietzen, Glen Ullin

Sponsors: AgCountry Farm Services of Grand Forks & Minot, Farm Credit Services of Mandan, Rick Vannett & Red River Farm Network

This day of giving has become the ND FFA Foundation’s largest annual fundraiser and our Match Donors play a vital role in this day’s success.

Becoming a Match Donor helps DOUBLE the impact of donations during this online fundraiser, held annually at the beginning of February. Dahltin Pahl has been a Match Donor on Giving Hearts Day year after year. Dahltin is

an alumnus of the Ellendale FFA Chapter and currently works at AgCountry Farm Credit Services in LaMoure. Contact Beth Allen at ballen@ndffa.org to confirm your spot as a Match Donor for 2024 Giving Hearts Day!

5 Ways You Can Support the ND FFA Foundation

STORIES OF ACTUAL DONORS, SUPPORTERS AND FRIENDS OF THE NORTH DAKOTA FFA

Your Thrivent representative can help you give back to the ND FFA Foundation through your account. Ben and Bev Farner have been taking advantage of this easy way of giving for years. Speak with your Thrivent representatives today or reach out to Beth Allen with any questions at ballen@ndffa.org or at 701.224.8390.

Brooks Hetle uses Venmo to make donations (like his contribution on Giving Tuesday!) simple and easy. Whether you’re donating $20, a blue jacket, a scholarship or more, we hope Venmo can help make it easy. Simply send your donation to @NDFFAFoundation

Do you have an FFA CDE or LDE important to you? Continue to make it possible by sponsoring it! The Foundation works with dozens of families and businesses who want to sponsor specific CDEs, LDEs and events. Jeff & Jan Topp continue to sponsor LDEs like Extemporaneous and Prepared Public Speaking year after year. See what CDE/LDEs are available to sponsor by contacting Beth Allen at ballen@ndffa.org or at 701.224.8390.

Sponsor a CDE or LDE, like the Jeff & Jan Topp family!

Help Grow our Endowment fund like

Roger & Fern Beaver!

Did you know the ND FFA Foundation has an endowment fund? Join our friends Roger & Fern Beaver and help it grow! Managed by the ND Community Foundation (NDCF), monies generated by this endowment are utilized to provide scholarship and leadership opportunities for ND FFA members. The ND FFA Foundation has established a “qualified ND endowment fund” as a component fund of the North Dakota Community Foundation. This fund is a permanent way to support our organization: Earnings from the fund will support the FFA year after year, while the principal remains intact and continues to grow. Contributing to this endowment is the best way to ensure our organization creates opportunities for ND members for years to come.

There’s another great reason to give now to our endowment fund: The North Dakota Charitable Income Tax Credit, passed by the ND State Legislature in 2011, allows individuals who donate $5,000 or more and businesses that donate any amount to qualified

endowment funds to receive up to a 40% state tax credit. ND FFA Foundation’s endowment fund is managed as a qualified North Dakota Endowment Fund under North Dakota law. This means that your gift of $5,000 to the Endowment Fund is not only tax-deductible on your federal income tax return, but it should also qualify for a 40% or $2,000 credit against your ND income tax liability. If you are in the 30% federal income tax bracket, the net cost of your $5,000 gift could be as low as $1,500 after considering the federal and ND income tax benefits. The credit is limited to $10,000 per taxpayer per year. This means that an individual can max out their credit by giving $25,000 to the endowment and a couple can give $50,000. If you cannot use all of your ND income tax credit in one year, you may carry it forward for an additional 3 years.

Roger & Fern Beaver were excited to learn about this opportunity and have provided generous contributions to the Foundation to grow the endowment. There are many ways to support and grow our endowment fund, including outright donations (that may qualify for the 40% state tax credit), deferred gifts, bequests, memorials, and through life insurance policies. If you would like to help us continue our work forever, please contact the ND FFA Foundation to discuss our endowment fund and the many options to support us. You may find out more about this generous tax credit by visiting NDCF.net.

Grants

$21,000+ GIVEN TO ND FFA MEMBERS FOR SAE PROJECTS

Twenty-two North Dakota FFA members (representing 10 different chapters) received grants from the North Dakota FFA Foundation to be put towards agriculture-based businesses and/or projects that are part of their Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE). Officially known as the Bakk Farm Supervised Agricultural Experience Grant, the funds for these grants come from the revenue generated by land gifted to the North Dakota FFA by Fred Bakk in 1980. Through the course of its existence, this grant program has given hundreds of thousands of dollars to ND FFA members.

In order to be eligible for this grant, a student must be an active ND FFA member with a business or project in the field of agriculture to which the funds can be applied. Each application is received and judged according to whether an applicant is beginning a new project or business, or expanding an existing one.

Beginning SAE Grant Recipients

Molly Hansen, Carrington

Eva Petrick, Grant Country

Emma Hay, Divide County

Elodie Kuhn, Napoleon

Teagan Erbele, Napoleon

Carter Bitz, Napoleon

Gabriel Scheresky, Max

Stetson Brandvold, Max

Kelsi Neuman, Carrington

Shayle Zimbelman, Oakes SargentCentral Ellendale

Expanding SAE Grant Recipients

Danny Kersten, Max

Chris Schoenwald, Watford City

Cora Hermunslie, Richland 44

Cyenna Garrett, Medina

Adam Ryun, Medina

Anna Bitz, Napoleon

Amber Braasch, South Prairie

Dalton Feist, Napoloen

Alyssa Young, Napoleon

Karissa Mann, Napoleon

Isabella Neuman, Carrington

Sabrina Haas, Napoleon

AG. IN THE CLASSROOM GRANTS

Thirty-six programs received grants from the Foundation totaling $22,478!

*Denotes programs that received funding for multiple projects.

Bowdon Ambulance

*Center FFA Chapter

Dickey County Ag Improvement Board

*Divide County FFA Chapter

Drayton Ag. Ed.

Edgeley-Kulm FFA Chapter

Ely Elementary

Farm Chicks to Go

Garrison Ag. Ed.

Hettinger Ag Ed.

Kidder County Farm Bureau

Kindred FFA Chapter

*Lisbon FFA Chapter

Mandan FFA Chapter

Medina FFA Chapter

ND Stockmen’s Association

NDSU Ag Ed Society

NDSU Extension - Bottineau County

NDSU Extension - Emmons County

Scholarships

Washington Leadership Scholarship Recipients

Sponsored by Plains Grain Agronomy, Fraternal Order of Eagles, ND FFA Foundation - Fred Bakk

Full Scholarship Recipients

Teagan Erbele, Napoleon

Karissa Mann, Napoleon

Mariah Lovro, Granville

Shelsey Brandvold, Max

Sydney Schock, Towner

Tevya Vogle, Hebron

Samantha Burchill, Central Cass

Alyssa Young, Napoleon

Kade Manhart, Golden Valley

Ella Anderson, Scranton

Partial Scholarship Recipients

Aubree Lunde, Granville

Jadyn Juntunen, Rolla

Jazlyn Weigel, Napoleon

Jacey Hutton, Des Lacs - Burlington

Savannah Reister, Medina

Karady Evans, Scranton

Emma Pister, Granville

Bailey Urlacher, New England

Samantha Reister, Medina

Danil Maychrzak, Scranton

Aria Braaten, Grafton

Taya Schelske, Medina

Forrest Sears, Central Cass

Camden Cassula, Medina

Morgan Takala, Towner

Vannessa Oase, Scranton

Abby Ryun, Medina

Madilyn Schlecht, Medina

Cyenna Garrett, Medina

ND FFA Foundation College Scholarship Recipients

ND FFA Foundation

Bakk Farm Scholarship

Shawna Burian, Killdeer

Gabe Lakoduk, Velva

Garrett Kuhn, Glen Ullin

Annaliese Rauschenberger, South Prairie

Jack Stoppleworth, Kindred

Summers Bachman, Minot

Sophia Hauser, Hebron

Teagan Olson, Oakes - SC - Ellendale

Brett Baumgarten, Kindred

MR. BAKK’S GIFT

NDSU Extension - Foster County

NDSU Extension - Ransom County

NDSU Extension - Williams County

Northern Cass Ag. Ed.

*North Sargent Ag Ed.

*Oakes/Sargent Central Ag. Ed.

*Oakes/Sargent Central FFA Chapter

Rolette Public School

Rugby FFA Chapter

*Scranton FFA Chapter

*Stanley FFA Chapter

Tioga FFA Chapter

Valley City Ag. Ed.

*Wahpeton Ag. Ed.

*Wahpeton FFA Chapter

Wilton FFA Chapter

Wing Public School

*Wyndmere Ag. Ed.

In 1980, The North Dakota FFA Foundation was formed when Fridtjov “Fred” Bakk gifted land located in Sargent and Richland counties.

Today, this same land generates over $100,000 in annual income for the ND FFA Foundation which is used to support FFA members across the state in the form of college scholarships, travel stipends, SAE grants and more. Learn more about Fred’s gift and the history of the ND FFA Foundation at ndffa.co/fredsgift

Trenton Erbele, Napoleon

Kennedy Wendel, Carrington

Ian Dukart, Killdeer

Al Giese Honor Scholarship

Ashley Pauly, Wahpeton

Lillian Steeke, Scranton

CHS Foundation

Star Partner Scholarship

Ty MacDonald, Bismarck

Twin Cities Region Northland Ford Star Partner Scholarship

Amber Selensky, Rugby

Joel Janke Honor Scholarship

Emily Fannik, Max

Bollingberg Seeds Co. Star Partner Scholarship

Christy Finck, Grant County

“I believe that to live and work on a good farm, or to be engaged in other agricultural pursuits, is pleasant as well as challenging.”

- E.M. Tiffany

MINOT,ND

High Individuals: 4 High Teams: 3

State Winter Career Development Event Results

The state event for the Winter CDEs was held in Minot on March 20th at the North Dakota State Fairgrounds. Thank you to the Minot Convention & Visitors Bureau and the ND FFA Foundation for sponsoring this state event. Congratulations to all of the participants and chapters who competed!

AGRONOMY

Sponsors: Corteva/Pioneer, KTM Farms, Charlie Sorenson

HIGH INDIVIDUAL

Joseph Gartner, Glen Ullin

AG SALES

HIGH Team

Glen Ullin

Joseph Gartner, Elijahl Gartner, Braden Schlatter, Michael Gartner

Sponsors: RDO Equipment/Offut, IRONCLAD Marketing, Farmhouse Fraternity NDSU, Butler Machinery

HIGH INDIVIDUAL

Emanuell Weber, Kindred

Johnathan Schmidt, Mandan

HIGH Team Kindred

Emanuell Weber, Andrew Haley, Cora Johnson, Jack Stoppleworth

LIVESTOCK

Sponsors: Jeff & Jan Topp, ND Rural Rehab Corporation, Aaron Anderson

HIGH INDIVIDUAL

Ian Dukart, Killdeer

HIGH Team Killdeer

Ian Dukart, Kacee Wasem, Shay Burian, Tessa Dvorak

North Dakota State FFA Officer

Teams are an essential part of the FFA. Elected annually in June by ND FFA members, the State Officer team spends an entire year dedicating their time to leading its members by organizing and facilitating conferences; attending career development event competitions; speaking at annual chapter banquets; representing North Dakota at the National FFA Convention and so much more. Funding the state officer team’s travel and activities is an expense of roughly $20,000 per year. The BLUE JACKET BACKERS is a program created for past state officers to show their support for current and future state FFA officer teams. Every dollar received towards this program will go directly towards the expenses required to facilitate the ND state officer team which include: Official FFA Dress, State FFA Officer training, travel, hotel lodging, food, and college scholarships.

As part of this program, each year we will be showcasing the 30th anniversary ND State FFA Officer Team. We are very thankful and proud of your service to the North Dakota FFA Association.

Being a state FFA officer opened doors to new career opportunities, relationships, and personal development. Only your group knows how impactful this opportunity was, as a team and individually. Together, your team was influential to so many throughout the years, and we want to honor the impact you have made. We ask you to join us as a BLUE JACKET BACKER.

Three levels of Team or Individual Sponsorship:

1993-1994 State FFA Officer Team Highlight

How do you become a Blue Jacket Backer?

Each sponsorship level can be given by an individual or as one donation by your team. If it’s been a while and you need contact information for a fellow team member, please contact Beth at ballen@ndffa.org. Submit your donation to the ND FFA Foundation online at NDFFAFoundation. com, through Venmo @NorthDakotaFFA or by check. All proceeds will be used for state officer expenses. Writing a check? Mail it to: ND FFA Foundation; 909 Basin Avenue, PO Box 6022; Bismarck, ND 58504

What career path did you take?

My career has been extremely diverse ranging from research, to support staff, customer service - both internal and external, to management and entrepreneurship. My involvement in the FFA is far and away the single most influential educational and training experience I’ve had to prepare me for all of these positions.

After college, I worked as a design engineer for 6 years then moved back home to farm full-time twenty years ago. Eighteen years ago I was married, and we have four kids.

How has the FFA impacted you in the past 30 years?

Not a single day has gone by that I have not utilized the skills I honed in the FFA. From public speaking and sales, to customer service, FFA gave me a stage to practice and apply all of these life skills, and it gave meaning and substance to required/core curriculum. FFA and ag education truly bridge the gaps between English, math, and science and answer the “why?” that so many students struggle with.

It has given me many friends to live life with and use as resources for information that helps me with work and life.

What is something everyone should know about the North Dakota FFA?

Everyone needs to know that regardless of your prior experience, socio-economic status, ethnicity, interest, etc., FFA has something for everyone. The FFA Motto, the FFA Creed, and the jacket itself levels the playing field. FFA uses agriculture to teach vital life skills; it’s like the Golden Rule but with how-to’s and friendly competition allowing you to grow as a person and prepare yourself for your future.

It can help you gain building blocks to success, whether you want an ag career or not.

Tam Livdalen Maddock, State Sweetheart; Jason Bachmeier, NW Region VP; Jared Hagert, NE Region VP; David Jacobson, President; Sam Ongstad, SE Region VP; Troy Uglem, Secretary; Aimee Schneider Burley, SW Region VP

What about being a state officer was most impactful for you?

It likely sounds cliche, but it’s honest - service and stewardship. Serving as a ND State FFA Officer taught me how important it is to steward/ promote/protect/defend those things in your life that have truly made a difference and knowing it can do the same for others. Being of service to an organization so that others may benefit in the ways you have is so important and a skill I feel FFA involvement teaches its members. Civic responsibility and advocating for the needs of a community are something we should all feel a responsibility to do.

It was amazing how a group of such different individuals and personalities came together as a team to accomplish the tasks at hand.

Last year Blue Jacket Backers raised $4,425 to go towards the ND FFA State Officer team. These donations came from 18 past ND State Officers.

SPONSORS & DONORS

Premier Sponsor

($50,000+)

Bakk Farm

Elite Sponsor

($25,000 to 49,999)

Twin Cities Region Northland Ford Dealers

Diamond Sponsors

($10,000 to 24,999)

Ag Country Farm Credit Services

Agtegra Cooperative

Alliance Pipeline

Bismarck Eagles, FOE #2237

Bollingberg Seed

CHS Foundation

Farmers Mutual of Nebraska

Corteva/Pioneer Seeds

Farm Credit Services of Mandan

First International Bank & Trust

William Huffman Trust

ND Farmers Union

TransCanada

Sapphire Sponsors

($5,000 to 9,999)

Roger & Fern Beaver

Corteva/Pioneer Seeds

Dakota Medical Impact Foundation

First International Bank & Trust

Wade & Lynn Moser

ND Association of Rural Electric

Cooperatives

Nodak Insurance Company

ONEOK Rockies Midstream LLC

Keith Peltier

Bridgette & Randy Readel

Galen & Bonnie Scheresky

Steffes Auctioneers, Inc.

Titan Machinery Inc

Tom & Frances Leach Foundation

Vaughn & Dorinda Vance, Maria, Donovan, Brittany, & Verlin Zacharias Family

Gold Sponsors

($1,000 to 4,999)

ABOVO

Beth & Brad Allen

American Crystal Sugar Company

AMPI

Jason Anderson

Michael & Marjorie Axt

Bruce & Lynelle Bachmeier

Jeff Ball Bell Bank

Bismarck Mandan CVB

Butler Machinery

CF Industries

ConocoPhillips

Doosan/Bobcat Company

Nikki & Andrew Fideldy-Doll

Jim & Marie Fragodt

Allen & Pat Giese

Mara and Bruce Glasow

Shaune Goetz

Gooseneck Implement

Jared & Brandie Hagert/Integrated Ag Services

Gregg Halverson

Brooks Hetle

Mark & Linda Hovland

IRONCLAD Marketing

J&K Grain LLC

Joel & Joyce Janke

Killdeer FFA Alumni

Land O’ Lakes Foundation

Lighthouse Commodities

McClusky FFA Alumni

MDU Resources Foundation

National FFA

ND Barley Council

ND Community Foundation

ND Corn Council

ND Ethanol Council

ND FFA Alumni Association

ND Rural Rehabilitation Corporation

ND State Fair Association

ND Stockmen’s Association

North Central States Regional Council of Carpenters

North Dakota Beef Commission

North Dakota Department of Agriculture

North Dakota Farm Bureau

North Dakota State College of Science

Bill & Anne Ongstad

Dahltin Pahl

Matthew Perdue

Peterson Farms Seed

Petro-Hunt, LLC

Plains Ag, LLC

ProSeed

RDO Equipment

Rock and Roll Agronomy, LLC

Jason & Heather Rohr

Sanford Health

Scheels

Kevin Skunes

Southeast Region Career & Technical Center

Beth Stenehjem

Bryan & Janet Strom

Joshua Swanson

Jeff & Jan Topp

Brian & Julie Vculek

Dennis & Kathy Walsh

Gerald & Joan Wettlaufer

Andrew & Jeremy Young

Marcia Young

Travis Zablotney

Silver Sponsors

($400 to 999)

Robin & Lynn Arnold

Logan Behm

Birdsall Grain & Seed

Kasey Bitz

Douglas Brahee

Jesse & Jenna Braun

Brittney & Brandon Bulson

Dale Carpentier

Brent Christensen

Roger & Kari Christenson

Coteau Properties

Dakota Community Bank

Dakota Farmer/Farm Progress

Doug & Sandy Dukart

Chad & Julie Ellingson

Kari Enget

Fessenden Coop Assn.

Janelle & Wesley Frederick

William Fritz

G & K Ranch

General Equipment & Supplies, Inc.

Preston Gilderhus

Shane & Brenda Goettle

Golden Buckle Gelbvieh

Emily Gross

Armen & Connie Hanson

RaeDeen Heupel

Jody Horner

Darren & Kristin Hoyme

Duane & Julie Hulm

Mike & Margie Janke

Carol Jensen

Mark Jirik

John Deere Foundation

Chris Johnson

Myron Johs

Taylor & Cheyenne Ketterling

Paul & Delise Kirkeide

Whitney & Samuel Landman

Legume Logic - Richard Roland

David & Jodi Leier

Peggy Leiseth

Von & Doreen Lynne

Linda MacDonald

Will & Jerilyn MacDonald

Douglas & Catharine Mark

Richard Matteson

Rueben Mayer

Kelly & Chris McDonald

Tammy Meyer

Midwest Dairy Association - ND Division

Brady Miller

Kayla Miller

ND Association of Agricultural Educators

ND Farm Management Education

ND Grain Dealers Association

ND Grain Growers Association

ND Oilseed Council

ND Wheat Commission

Mark & Raquel Nelson

Marlow & Joyce Nelson

North Dakota State University

North Dakota State University Animal

Science Department

North Dakota State University College of Agriculture, Food Syst, & Nat Res.

Breanna & Jace Pastir

David Pearce

Charles & Roberta Ramberg

Red River Valley Sugarbeet Growers

Schilke Grain & Stock Farm

Warren & Michal Schlecht

Brian & Mary Schneider

Jon & Agnes Solberg

Charlie Sorenson

Southwest Grain

Darin Spelhaug

Terry & Pamela Tonnessen

Gregg & Mary Urlacher

US Bank Foundation

USDA Farm Service Agency

Terry & Lance Van Berkom

Rick Vannett

Wahpeton FFA Alumni

Gary Wald

Rueben Weigelt

Matthew & Erika Williams

Vance & Maria Zacharias

Verlin Zacharias

For a complete list visit: NDFFAFoundation.com/Our-Donors

Nov. 2021 to Nov. 2022

Butch Haugland by Richard & Kathryn Debertin

Dennis & Marsha Wendell

Ronald Doll by Duane & Julie Hulm

Kim Rath by Bridgette & Randy Readel

Wayne Stenehjem by Chad & Julie Ellingson/ Ellingson Angus

Dennis & Kathy Walsh

Waldo & Susan Ackerman

Leroy and Sonia Meehl

Dennis McCoy

Allen & Pat Giese

Wade Anderson

Gerald & Joan Wettlaufer

Beth Bakke-Stenehjem

Table of Contents

Blue & Gold Fundraising Gala All about our Inaugural Fundraising Event + Mark your Calendars

Giving Hearts Day

A Recap of our Largest Annual Fundraiser

Three Generations Unite Meet & Learn about the MacDonald Family and their Impact

The Results are In LDE Day, National Convention, State Winter CDEs, Scholarships, Grants & More