The chapter won the Land of Service, Ag. Literacy Challenge and Building Communities Model of Innovation award for creating pumpkin decorations for Sleepy Eye nursing homes.

Sleepy Eye FFA advanced to national competition for being named Premier Chapter runner-up in the State of Minnesota for the National Chapter Award. The award is based on growing leaders, building communities and strengthening agriculture.

“We have not won The Land of Service Challenge before. That award means the most because its one of our main priorities — serving the community,” said Sleepy Eye FFA Advisor and ag instructor Mary Hoffmann.

“Sleepy Eye FFA has a lot to be proud of in 2025. I’m so proud of them. I’m truly impressed with all the hard work our members do on a daily basis. Being named top chapter runner up in Minnesota is a high honor. Winning the Land of Service award is probably the most rewarding for our chapter. Our members do so much for Sleepy Eye and surrounding communities, making the world a better place,” said Hoffmann.

Submitted photo The Sleepy Eye FFA Chapter, front row, from left, Lily Kallevig, Anna Johnson, Clark Lazatin, Breanna Lopez, Camryn Maher, Kaylie Fulmer, Makayla Strong, Mia Davila, Aranza Tovar, Natalie Fulmer, Davin Suess, Nolan Weicherding, Caleb Suess, Noemi Rodriguez, Kayla Hecht, Jose Castorena, Megan Sellner, Jaelynn Schauman. Row 2, Morgan Hoffmann, James Moore, Alannah Urbano, Millie Lax, Ari Hernandez, Hannah Meyer, Chloe Okerman, Paola Gonzalez, Madi Martinez, Kamille Capacia, Carter Lazatin, Ava Sellner, Elsie Trebesch, Alexis Hoffman, Taylor Berkner, Jace Schauman, Eh Paw, Karina Martinez, Catherine Simonsen, Ruby Tauer, Lucia Martinez Paredes, Logan Ludewig, Mateo Hornsby, Mary Hoffmann, Katie Emmett. Back, Ben Seifert, Paul Hendrickx, Riley Voigt, Kenedi Wersal, Leah Kucera, Ella Arkins, Candy Castorena, Maddy Goldschmidt, Ava Kunkel, Karly Wendinger, Callie Evers, Heath Eckstein, J. P. Montemayor, Braylon Nelson, Kenley Jensen, Kayden Klein, Ethan Hinderman, Ari Karzmarzick, Carsten Nienhaus, Emerson Johnson, Santi Martinez Paredes, Noah Rossbach, Ethan Schwartz, Eli Christensen, Kyle Nelson, Charlie Hoffmann, Ethan Feucht, Carson Sellner.

She said the chapter conducted a service project workshop at the state convention. FFA members from across the state participated in making cards and posters for nursing home residents.

Hoffmann said more than 50 FFA members participated in a service project setting up contest and career expo sites.

Sleepy Eye members receiving State FFA Degrees included Lucia Martinez Paredes, Rachel Portner, Lily Kallevig, Nora Coulson, Anna Johnson, Noemi Rodriguez, Kayla Hecht, Noah Christensen, Caleb Suess, Nolan Weicherding, Izzy Kunkel, Jose Castorena and James Moore.

State degrees are awarded to top FFA Association members. Only two percent of Minnesota FFA members earn the distinction.

“It demonstrates students who put an exceptional amount of time into their FFA experience and have gone above and beyond in their chapter and community,” said Hoffmann.

Submitted photo Ag Mechanics Repair & Maintenance Proficiency State Award winner Logan Ludewig.

Top 10 Sleepy Eye FFA results:

2. Best informed greenhand – Ava Sellner (9th individually) Kenley Jensen, Camryn Maher, Paola Gonzalez, Madi Martinez.

2. Milk quality & products – Megan Sellner (3rd individually), Carter Lazatin (7th individully ) Callie Evers, Jaelynn Schauman.

3. Market plan – Taylor Berkner, Hannah Meyer.

4. Poultry – Mateo Hornsby (5th Individually) Kaden Klein (10th individually), Carsten Nienhaus, Ava Sellner.

Submitted photo Agriscience Fair Plant Systems State Award Partner Division winner grades 7-8 Karina Martinez and Natalie Fulmer.

6. Soils – Oliver Trebesch (6th Individually), Wyatt, Ethan Feucht, Carson Sellner.

8. Meats – Emerson Johnson, Makayla Strong, Alex Confer, Ari Krzmarzick.

9. Fish & wildlife – Noah Christensen.

State proficiency winners, Logan Ludewig, ag mechanics repair and maintenance; Jasmine Petermann diversified ag production placement; vegetable production Taylor Berkner. Third place David Suess, diversified ag production placement.

Agriscience Fair winners advancing to nationals – Alex Confer, plant systems; Karina Martinez and Natalie Fullmer plant systems. Third-place – Kaylynn Como, Mia Walter, Kaylie Fulmer, Cassie Meuhlbauer, Allanah Urbano, Anders Coulson, Jaxon Saenz.

Submitted photo Agriscience Fair – Plant Systems State Award winner grades 9-12 Alex Confer.

State FFA Ambassadors Lucia Martinez Paredes, Charlie Hoffmann. State FFA Nominating Committee Alex Confer. State FFA Band and Choir Anna Johnson, Eli Christensen, Santi Martinez Paredes, Ethan Schwartz.

Submitted photo Vegetable Production Proficiency State Award winner Taylor Berkner.

Submitted photo The Sleepy Eye FFA Chapter received the Premier Chapter Runner-Up award at the Minnesota State FFA Convention. Chapter officers and advisors, front, from left, ag teacher and FFA Advisor Mary Hoffmann, Carter Lazatin, Anna Johnson, Jace Schauman, Lilly Kallevig, Alex Confer, Lucia Martinez Paredes. Back, FFA Advisor Paul Hendrickx, Noah Rossbach, Charlie Hoffmann, Kayden Klein, Logan Ludewig, Taylor Berkner, Jaelynn Schauman, FFA Advisor Katie Emmett. Submitted photo The Sleepy Eye FFA Chapter, front row, from left, Lily Kallevig, Anna Johnson, Clark Lazatin, Breanna Lopez, Camryn Maher, Kaylie Fulmer, Makayla Strong, Mia Davila, Aranza Tovar, Natalie Fulmer, Davin Suess, Nolan Weicherding, Caleb Suess, Noemi Rodriguez, Kayla Hecht, Jose Castorena, Megan Sellner, Jaelynn Schauman. Row 2, Morgan Hoffmann, James Moore, Alannah Urbano, Millie Lax, Ari Hernandez, Hannah Meyer, Chloe Okerman, Paola Gonzalez, Madi Martinez, Kamille Capacia, Carter Lazatin, Ava Sellner, Elsie Trebesch, Alexis Hoffman, Taylor Berkner, Jace Schauman, Eh Paw, Karina Martinez, Catherine Simonsen, Ruby Tauer, Lucia Martinez Paredes, Logan Ludewig, Mateo Hornsby, Mary Hoffmann, Katie Emmett. Back, Ben Seifert, Paul Hendrickx, Riley Voigt, Kenedi Wersal, Leah Kucera, Ella Arkins, Candy Castorena, Maddy Goldschmidt, Ava Kunkel, Karly Wendinger, Callie Evers, Heath Eckstein, J. P. Montemayor, Braylon Nelson, Kenley Jensen, Kayden Klein, Ethan Hinderman, Ari Karzmarzick, Carsten Nienhaus, Emerson Johnson, Santi Martinez Paredes, Noah Rossbach, Ethan Schwartz, Eli Christensen, Kyle Nelson, Charlie Hoffmann, Ethan Feucht, Carson Sellner. Submitted photo Ag Mechanics Repair & Maintenance Proficiency State Award winner Logan Ludewig. Submitted photo Diversified Ag Production Placement Proficiency State Award winner Jasmine Petermann. Submitted photo Vegetable Production Proficiency State Award winner Taylor Berkner. Submitted photo Agriscience Fair – Plant Systems State Award winner grades 9-12 Alex Confer. Submitted photo Agriscience Fair Plant Systems State Award Partner Division winner grades 7-8 Karina Martinez and Natalie Fulmer.