Terry Rieckman began his teaching career in the fall of 1983 in the Chester Area School District as a student teacher. My mother, then known as Jolene Hohwieler, was a junior in high school at Chester that year. Little did either of them know that three decades later, Mr. Rieckman would teac…
For 42 years, Terry Rieckman has taught agriculture students at the McCook Central High School in Salem, South Dakota, building one of the most successful FFA programs in the state along the way.
For Harrisburg FFA member Katelyn Clow, understanding the future of agriculture starts with looking at the past.
“Being able to work for a real company, work for a family friend, and solve real-world problems that save them time, is a huge thing for me.”
“To be successful, kids need five stable adults in their life. I can be one of these five.”
Students from Mitchell Technical College brought their agricultural research to a national stage, presenting findings from on-farm trials during Commodity Classic in San Antonio, Texas in February.
One young Minnesota dairyman is turning his passion for farming and community into a business that both honors the past and provides a future for his family farm at a time when small dairies are disappearing.
When agriculture teacher Alysha Kientopf talks about the success of the Garretson, South Dakota FFA chapter, she rarely uses the words “I” or “me.” Instead, she uses phrases like we, our program, and most often, the community.
On social media, the newest vintage “grail” isn’t a 1980s band tee or a pair of Levi’s. It’s a blue corduroy jacket embroidered with a gold emblem and the name of a high school on the back: the FFA jacket.
Each year hundreds of South Dakota students learn about agriculture and are inspired to lead and serve by the efforts of their agriculture education teachers and FFA advisors.
Caden Adrian can talk to anyone, and he does.
Iowa 4-H youth recently showcased their passion, leadership and exceptional equine knowledge on the national stage during the 2025 Eastern National 4-H Horse Roundup. Representing Boone, Story and Tama counties, Iowa youth competed in both horse judging and hippology.
From a handful of commercial Angus cows to a respected multi-generational seedstock operation, the story of Styles Angus is a story built on the belief that good cattle and good people are shaped over time through consistency and dedication.
Adams, Minnesota, teenager Olivia Vorpagel has already built a resume that stretches from local county fairs to the national FFA stage.
“It was always my plan to come back and farm. Those programs helped me get started.” - Cole Sonne, southeast South Dakota cattle producer behind the Sonne Farms YouTube channel.
Under Amy Mastin’s leadership, students have learned the beef industry from the ground up.
Another national sheep show is coming to the SHED at the South Dakota State Fairgrounds next summer.
FarmBeats for Students is using smart sensors, data science and artificial intelligence to teach precision agriculture in classrooms.
"Each season has brought something different, and looking back, it’s clear this year was shaped by changing weather, steady progress and plenty of long days."
Garretson ag teacher and FFA advisor Alysha Kientopf is heading to Nashville soon where she will see if she's the national winner of the Outstanding Agricultural Education Teacher of the Year Award. Good luck, Alysha!
The South Dakota State Fair will host the National Rambouillet Sheep Show and Sale June 16–20, 2026, at The SHED in Huron.
Several South Dakota FFA members who earned top awards for their projects and research.
As the fall season winds down, many operations in my area, including ours, are starting to wrap up the last of the fall work before winter fully arrives.
When Lesley Liao of Taiwan stepped off the plane in South Dakota earlier this summer, she was ready to experience life far different from her own.
Recently Listed
Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device.
