Bridgewater-Emery FFA

06/23/2026

The day was finished up with a little sight seeing before registration tomorrow! We were able to check a few things off the list including The Bean, The Magnificent Mile-, Navy Pier, and more!

06/22/2026

We have arrived in Chicago and using the Line transit to go and explore the city!

06/22/2026

This week we Tessa, Summer, and Mr. Toupal are off to Chicago for the National FFA Next Gen: Ag Business Conference. Throughout this week they will be able to participate in industry round tables, tours, and more focusing around Agricultural Business.

06/19/2026

This week Chapter President Rachel B. and MS Vice President Bridgette L. attended East River Leadership Retreat in Viborg, SD. Throughout the week Rachel participated in the advanced camp where Bridgette participated in the regular camp curriculum.

Rachel shares ~ “I was able to learn that leadership is not a position, it’s a process. We also learned how our values guide our actions and influence the way we serve others. By staying true to our values, we can make a positive impact on the people and communities around us.”

Bridgette shares ~ “ The state officers reflected about events that happened in their life that impacted them. On Thursday all the groups had games on the green, where we would play an assortment of different games such as tug a war and bobbing for vegetables. There was also the dance where we got to dance such as line dancing and swing dancing. It was definitely worth it to go. I had so much fun with my small group, I had Ava the state treasurer as my group leader.”

06/18/2026

06/17/2026

Yesterday two members arrived at the 2026 South Dakota FFA East River Leadership Retreat that takes place at Viborg, SD. Throughout this week these two will be attending various sessions, meeting members across the state, and creating new ideas to bring back to BE!

06/15/2026

06/13/2026

For the final day of the conference Rachel was able to participate in a Community Service Project through Meals For Hope along with tour the Arlington National Cemetery, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Old Town Alexandria, The White House, and got to have a supper with Mr Toupal at the Founding Farmers. Key story behind the supper choice it is a restaurant in D.C. making everything from scratch, from our bread to our ice cream & chocolate, using ingredients from farmers we know and trust. The family farmers of the North Dakota Farmers Union, who collectively own Founding Farmers, are represented on every plate, as are the country’s founding mothers and fathers—who were also farmers. We are a mission-driven, learning organization of like-minded people, individually and collectively committed to creating delicious and sustainable food and drink, an atmosphere of genuine hospitality, understanding and developing our people, and doing the right things for the right reasons.

06/12/2026

Today was Capitol Hill Day where we were able to meet with both South Dakota Senators along with get a special tour inside the Capitol building! Rachel concluded the day with a couple sessions developing her LPM a little more and focusing now on the concept of “We”.

06/11/2026

Today was a fun filled day with channeling in more on the “Me” side of leadership digging into passions, reasonings, and beliefs and how FFA members can take their passions and turn them into reality. We also were able to do the night tour of all the monuments including Lincoln, Korean War, World War I, World War II, Washington, FDR, MLK, Jefferson, and wrapped up with reflections at Iwo Jima.

Rachel shares “Today we visited memorials honoring MLK, Franklin Roosevelt, and Thomas Jefferson. Seeing how these leaders recognized needs and worked to create change reminded me of the Living to Serve plan we learned about in our sessions earlier today. Their dedication to serving others showed me that even one person can make a lasting impact. It inspired me to think about how I can use service and leadership to make a difference in my own community.”