Submitted Photo At the most recent FFA State Conference, Rugby’s Small Animal Care Team came out champions. From left to right are Alli Blessum, Katelyn Mattern, Sara Schmaltz, Sidney Peterson and Paisley Wangler.

The Rugby Agricultural Education Program has been named the National Association of Agricultural Educators Region III Outstanding Middle/Secondary School Program, recognizing five years of achievement, growth and community support.

The program, led by agriculture instructors and FFA advisers Kristi Tonnessen and Isaac Ripplinger, advanced from the state level in May before earning the regional honor. The program will be recognized at the NAAE Convention in New Orleans in December.

The award recognizes agriculture programs at the middle and high school levels that create exceptional opportunities for students to learn skills that will also help them outside the classroom. Only six programs nationwide receive the recognition each year.

“I was just speechless as soon as I saw it,” Tonnessen said. “I know that we have a good program and I was impressed that we had won the state level just because of the competition in our own state. It was exciting to see that recognition at the national level left us speechless.”

Tonnessen said the national recognition is a reflection not only of the agriculture program, but also of the people who have supported it.

“It’s a big moment of appreciation for our community, our principal and our school board — for all the people that support us and for our program and our students to be recognized at that level,” she said.

The program reaches 76% of students enrolled at Rugby. Tonnessen and Ripplinger offer a broad range of courses, including exploratory junior high agriculture, introduction to agriculture, foundations of agriculture, agricultural mechanics, meat processing, welding and fabrication, woodworking, botany and horticulture, livestock production and other agricultural subjects.

Senior students can participate in a cooperative work experience program that allows them to work for a community business for up to two class periods each day while earning both a wage and course credit. The program gives students firsthand experience in the workplace and helps develop employability skills.

“It’s a huge testament to the diversity ag education has these days,” she said. “Understanding the differing needs in agriculture — it’s everything from marketing your product to the sales and business side of it. There really is something for everybody.”

The program also emphasizes skills that extend beyond agriculture, including communication, leadership and interpersonal skills. Tonnessen said students gain life skills through activities such as speaking in front of groups, conducting official meetings and learning how to connect with others.

Over the past five years, Rugby FFA members have earned top state championship team honors in ag communications, ag mechanics, ag mechanics sweepstakes, conduct of chapter, dairy cattle evaluation, floral, meats, nursery landscape, parliamentary procedure, quiz and talent.

Individual state CDE and LDE champions have also been recognized in ag communications, ag mechanics, dairy cattle evaluation, farm business management, meats and nursery landscape.

The chapter’s accomplishments have also advanced to the national level. The ag mechanics team earned the national championship in 2021 under coach Kasey Okke, and the ag communications team earned first place with its media plan at the 2023 National FFA Convention.

At the most recent state FFA convention, Rugby won competitions in food science & technology and small animal care. Six members received state proficiency awards, and Alex Kraft was named the State Star in agricultural placement.

FFA members also regularly participate in community activities. Chapter officers have worked with the Pierce County Farm Bureau on special assignment pizza, teaching fourth-grade students about food origins and North Dakota commodities. Members read agriculturally related books in elementary classrooms, host an agricultural safety day with Gooseneck Implement, participate in Adopt-a-Highway and create floral arrangements for community events.

“Our community supports our program inside and out — it’s not just an FFA accomplishment, it is a testament of the things we’re doing inside our classrooms, but also in the community that helps support us with that,” she said. “Whether they come in and are guest speakers or we go to their event for field trips — that’s what drives your small towns, it’s the people that support your school.”

The Rugby FFA Alumni & Supporters organization also provides financial support to chapter members each year through travel stipends, post-secondary scholarships, FFA jackets, supervised agricultural experience grants and other assistance.

“We have the utmost support from our community, school and parents and are incredibly grateful,” Tonnessen said. “That comes from years of developing the culture of FFA in our community. The agricultural industry is the best industry to be a part of. People support each other.”

Rugby High School Principal Jared Blikre said the program’s success reflects the dedication of its instructors and students.

“The dedication, innovation and commitment demonstrated within this program have created an environment where students thrive,” Blikre said. “Our agriculture instructors and FFA student leaders have built a program that not only prepares students for careers in agriculture but also developed the next generation of leaders in our community.”