The Sleepy Eye FFA 8th & 11th graders who competed in the State Agriscience Fair included: front, l to r – Kaylie Fulmer, Natalie Fulmer, Alex Confer, Arianna Hernandez, Mia Walter. back, l to r – Carsten Nienhaus, Karina Martinez, Ella Arkins, Kaylynn Como, Anders Coulson, Jaxon Saenz. Not pictured: Alannah Urbano and Cassie Muehlbauer.

The Roland Peterson Agriculture Education Science Fair was held on March 13 at the University of Minnesota, St. Paul Campus.

The Minnesota Future Farmers of America (FFA) Association uses this invitational as the Minnesota FFA’s Agriscience Fair. The highest-ranking FFA member or team of members with an agricultural project will advance to the national competition.

The Agriscience Fair recognizes student researchers studying the application of agricultural scientific principles and emerging technologies in agricultural enterprises. The Agriscience fair is for middle and high school students. Participation begins at the local level and progresses to state and national levels.

Agriscience Fair Divisions:

Students can compete in the National Agriscience Fair as an individual or with a team.

• Division 1 – individual member in grades 7 and 8

• Division 2 – team of two members in grades 7 and 8

• Division 3 – individual member in grades 9 and 10

• Division 4 – team of two members in grades 9 and 10

• Division 5 – individual member in grades 11 and 12

• Division 6 – team of two members in grades 11 and 12

Sleepy Eye FFA students participated in the Animal Systems, Plant Systems and Food Products and Processing Systems Categories; Divisions 1-5.

The eighth grade students did these projects as part of the curriculum for the Ag. 8 course. Alex Confer has participated every year since her eighth grade year due to her interest in science.

The individuals and groups that were named in the Top 3 at state include: Division 1 – Kaylie Fulmer (Plant Systems).

Division 2 Alannah Urbano and Cassie Muehlbauer (Animal Systems), Natalie Fulmer and Karina Martinez (Plant Systems), Kaylynn Como and Mia Walter (Plant Systems) and Anders Coulson and Jaxon Saenz (Food Products and Processing Systems).

Division 5 – Alex Confer (Plant Systems). Students will find out the final results on stage at the State FFA Convention in late April.