This contest, commonly known as Little I, is one the largest career development event (CDE) contests with FFA members attending from Minnesota, South Dakota, Wisconsin, and Iowa. Sleepy Eye FFA members competed against hundreds of other FFA members in order to prepare for their upcoming Region and State CDE contests in April. 

The Milk Quality and Products Team placed first out of 28 teams. This contest consists of members identifying cheese and dairy products, milk defects, and taking a knowledge test. Jaelynn Schauman was the Top Scorer on the team, earning seconnd place individually. Other team members included: Callie Evers who placed fourth, Megan Sellner who placed sixth, Carter Lazatin who placed seventh, Jace Schauman and Ava Kunkel.

The Dairy Judging Team from Sleepy Eye placed first out of 20 teams at their competition. In this CDE, participants evaluate dairy cattle as well as answer questions about characteristics of the cattle in the classes. Jared Portner was the top finisher in the contest placing first overall. Other team members included Dustin Portner and Isaac Christensen who were 10th and 11th individually.

The Sleepy Eye Meats Team placed seventh out of 40 teams. Competing on the Meats CDE team from Sleepy Eye at the contest were Yuridia Fernandez, who was the high scorer for the team, Makayla Strong, Emerson Johnson, Alex Confer, Zack Dominguez, and Jax Como. In this CDE, members judge quality yield and grade of beef, lamb, and pork carcasses; they also complete a written test and identify various types of meat.

The Sleepy Eye FFA Poultry Team placed first out of 22 teams at Little I on March 27. Pictured l to r – Madelynn Mangen, Ava Sellner, Kayden Klein, Mateo Hornsby, and Carsten Nienhaus.

The Poultry Team placed 1st out of 22 teams. Mateo Hornsby was the top individual in the contest. Other team members included: Carsten Nienhaus who placed 9th, Kayden Klein, Ava Sellner, and Madelynn Mangen. For this contest, members identify parts and judge chicken carcasses, judge interior and exterior eggs, boneless and bone in processed chicken parts, as well as take a knowledge exam.

The Horse Team placed 23rd out of 35. Kenedi Wersal and Breanna Lopez were the two Sleepy Eye members who competed. For this contest, members place different classes of horses and take a knowledge exam. 

The Vet Science Team from Sleepy Eye also competed and earned 21st place out of 37 teams. Competitors in this CDE had to complete a knowledge test, identify both large and small animals, and vet math calculations. Natalie Fulmer and Camryn Maher were the two Sleepy Eye members who competed.

By participating at this competition, students improved their skills in their CDE’s and the students will be better prepared for the regional and state competitions, which will be held later in April.

The Sleepy Eye FFA Dairy Judging Team was the first place team in their contest. The team placed first out of 28 teams. Pictured l to r – Jared Portner, Isaac Christensen, Dustin Portner.