“Most of the footage was shot right here in Southern Minnesota at our locations in Mankato and Fairmont,” said Heers. “The soybeans we grow are used in countless ways in many countries.”
Following his talk, Heers presented a $500 scholarship check to the NRHEG FFA chapter.
A long-standing tradition for the NRHEG FFA is the awarding of an honorary chapter degree to someone in the community who supports FFA. This year’s recipient was Paul Cyr, principal at NRHEG. Many of the past recipients were in the audience. Cyr thanked the chapter for the honor. It was announced by FFA Advisor Dan Sorum of Cyr’s singing of “Happy Birthday” to school students at observing birthdays. Since the following day (Thursday) was Cyr’s birthday, the audience sang to him.
A video of the chapter activities for the past year was viewed and the chapter awards were announced and handed out by Sorum.
“A few mentioned to me that the banquet would interrupt planting,” Sorum told the audience. “Normally, planting would have been done by now, regardless we are glad you’re here.”
Sorum pointed out the chapter this year raised $11,800 for Camp Courage through the annual corn drive. They have surpassed $120,000 total since the program’s inception.
The following awards were presented:
Top Judges
Jr. High Judge — Missy Malakowsky
Ag Mechanics – Riley Schue
Soils — Jessica Stenzel
Gen. Livestock — Jarred Hanson
Dairy Cattle — Hailey Johnson
Horse — Hannah Haroldson
Crops — Logan Wenzel
Fish & Wildlife — Cody Mosher
Small Animal — Bethany Stencel
Poultry — Vince Guggisberg
Proficiency Awards
Dairy Production — Hailey Johnson
Speciality Animal Production — Emily Riihl
Swine Production — Jessica Stenzel
Chapter Awards
Star Greenhand — Presley Johnson
Star Chapter Farmer — Erin Larson
Dekalb Leadership Award & $500 Scholarship — Jessica Stenzel
Outstanding FFA Member & $500 Scholarship — Emily Riihl
The FFA Organization is already looking forward to the coming school year the officers for 2011-12 were announced. They are President, Betsy Johannsen; Vice-President, Erin Larson; Secretary, Samantha Hogstad; Treasurer, Hailey Johnson; Reporter, Amanda Groskreutz; Sentinel, Cody Mosher; and Historian, Rachel Ledding.
