Triton FFA Chapter keep busy with events, contests

With a large group of seniors graduating last year, the Triton FFA Chapter started with a very young chapter, Triton agriscience teacher and FFA advisor says. Still, he said, members have been busy this year participating in events, contests and showing at the Minnesota State Fair.
Triton also welcomed a familiar face to the agriscience and FFA programs as Katie Fitzgerald, a Triton graduate, returned as a teacher and Co-FFA advisor. Fitzgerald graduated from South Dakota State in 2024.
As is the case each year, a major activity is the corn and soybean drive which raises money that is used to support FFA activities and also provide a donation to the Dodge County Food Shelf. This year’s drive brought in more than $16,000 of which $1,500 was spent at Sunshine Foods in Dodge Center to buy groceries for the Food Shelf.
This year also saw Triton’s first ever team to compete in the region Food Science contest. Other regional contests students have competed in include: dairy, horse, livestock, poultry, milk products, food science, fish and wildlife, small animals, best informed greenhand (BIG) and discussion meet contests, Ickler said.
Four members completed region proficiency applications. Those completing the applications included Brady Staub, Diversified Crop Production Entrepreneurship proficiency; Emma Kruckeberg Small Animal Entrepreneurship; Tristan Nelson, Ag Mech Repair and Maintenance Placement, and John Moenning, Diversified Agriculture Production Entrepreneurship.
The BIG team of Hunter Hamm, Lily Klejeski, Brinley Dickie, Coy Froyum and Brayden Munnickhuysen placed 10th in the region contest and will be participating at state, Ickler said.
A highlight of the FFA Week activities each year is the annual Steak Feed to recognize donors and supporters along with the community.
This year’s dinner, Ickler said, is planned for this Saturday, Feb. 22, at Faith Community Church in West Concord. Dinner will be served from 4 to 8 p.m. and will include an eight-ounce sirloin steak, cheesy potatoes, corn, dinner roll, cookies and beverages for $15. There will also be a kid’s meal for $7. Drive-thru meals will be available from 4 to 6 p.m.
Triton’s FFA Chapter will turn 25 next school year and there will be a jar set out at the Steak Feed where diners can put their suggestions as to how the chapter should celebrate the milestone. For those who cannot make the dinner, contact one of the advisors, Robert Ickler at rickler@triton.k12.mn.us, or Katie Fitzgerald at kfitzgerald@triton.k12.mn.us with suggestions.