South Dakota FFA State Officers & Ambassadors
To request the presence of the state officers at an event, please contact Caroline Hansen, SD FFA Leadership & Program Manager, at caroline.hansen@sdaged.org
2025-2026 South Dakota FFA
State Ambassadors
Modesty Heath & Wyatt Lesmeister
Tyler Strasser
2025-2026 State President
Tyler Strasser is the son of Nathan and Michele Strasser and the brother of Austin and Carson Strasser. He spent his early childhood in Lennox, South Dakota, before moving to an acreage just outside of town at the age of ten. From a young age, Tyler worked on both of his grandparents’ farms, a responsibility he carried through high school. It was on this acreage that he discovered his passion for agriculture, particularly showing beef cattle through 4-H and FFA, as well as raising chickens and selling eggs. During high school, Tyler was actively involved in a wide range of extracurricular activities, including Baseball, Golf, Band, Marching Band, Pep Band, FFA, 4-H, Speech and Debate, and theater tech crew. He was a dedicated member of the Lennox Sundstrom FFA Chapter for five years, participating in numerous Leadership Development Events (LDEs) and Career Development Events (CDEs) such as Poultry Evaluation, Agricultural Mechanics, Chapter Conduct of Meetings, Parliamentary Procedure, and Agricultural Communications. Within his FFA chapter, Tyler held leadership positions as Parliamentarian in 2023–2024 and President in 2024–2025. Beyond the chapter level, he also served as the District III Sentinel during the 2023–2024 term. One of Tyler’s favorite FFA memories is attending the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, where he had the unique experience of getting his cast, worn due to a broken arm, signed by members from every U.S. state except Puerto Rico. Tyler will be continuing his education at South Dakota State University, majoring in Construction Management. Tyler proudly serves as the 2025–2026 South Dakota FFA State President.
Josie Nold
2025-2026 State Vice President
Josie Nold is the daughter of Jerry and Rosie Nold and sister of Mary and Emily Nold. Josie graduated high school from Brookings, SD where she was involved with FFA, cross-country, track, National Honor Society, and trap shooting. Outside of school Josie has been heavily involved in 4H especially with sheep, horses, poultry, and shooting sports. Throughout her FFA career Josie was involved as a District 2 officer, and several competitions including ag broadcasting, prepared public speaking, extemporaneous speaking, livestock judging, veterinary science, horse judging, and several SAEs. Josie has had the opportunity to compete nationally for livestock judging and veterinary science and will be returning again in horse judging. Josie’s favorite memory in FFA has been land judging friends. Her goal for this next year is to encourage new members to make friendships and happy memories that will last forever and promote that FFA provides opportunities and growth for all. Josie will be attending South Dakota State University for animal science and pre veterinary medicine with an equine focus. Josie proudly serves at the 2025-2036 South Dakota FFA State Vice President.
Get to Know the State Officers & Ambassadors
Elena Andrews
2025-2026 State Treasurer
Kate Meyer
2025-2026 State Secretary
Kate Meyer is the daughter of Andy and Tammy Meyer and the sister of Beth and Jack Meyer. Kate grew up near Sisseton, South Dakota, on her family farm, which instilled her love for agriculture that has only grown since. Kate attended high school in Sisseton, where she graduated in May of 2025. During high school, Kate was involved in many activities, including volleyball, basketball, track, softball, dance, FFA, FCCLA, FBLA, all-state chorus, and national honor society. Kate competed in creed speaking, ag sales, ag business, floriculture, and land and range judging. She served as her chapter's president, secretary, reporter, and the District I President from 2023-2024. One of Kate’s favorite memories from FFA was working in the Ag Adventure Center at the South Dakota State Fair. She has also enjoyed serving as a District Officer and meeting fellow members across the state. Kate is enthusiastic about making connections with members and growing South Dakota agriculture. She is attending South Dakota State University to earn a major in Ag Business. Kate proudly serves as the 2025-2026 South Dakota FFA State Secretary.
Elena (Laney) Andrews is the proud daughter of Jim and Michelle Andrews and sister to Emma, Anna, and Lizzy Andrews. Laney graduated as Valedictorian from Beresford High School, SD in May of 2025 where she was involved in her church, FFA, Speech & Debate, Theater, American Legion Oratory, 4-H, All-State Chorus, Band, National Honor Society, Girls State and Nation, Educators Rising, and One-Act. Outside of school she works on her family’s swine and grain (corn and soybean) operation which she attributes to her love for the agricultural industry. She is also serving the South Dakota Pork Producers Council as a Swine Ambassador for the 2025-2026 term, and does brand repping for a local Ag Teacher’s Silo Silver jewelry company and the Wandering Maverick Boutique. In FFA, Laney participated in Conduct of Chapter Meetings, Creed Speaking, Milk Quality, and Parliamentary Procedure contest and she won the State FFA Prepared Public Speaking Contest, the Extemporaneous Speaking Contest, and the Dairy Cattle Evaluation Contest. Laney was very active in the Beresford FFA, in addition to serving two terms as a District III Officer, and completing multiple SAE projects. Laney’s favorite FFA memory was attending the Washington Leadership Conference where she discussed topics like the Farm Bill, Proposition-12, ethanol production, and trade regulations with Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley. She will be attending South Dakota State University to further her education with a double major in Agricultural Education and Agricultural Business. She plans to teach and be an FFA advisor, and then do something political like lobbying for different agricultural groups. Laney is very excited for her year of service and is looking forward to connecting with members, industry leaders, sponsors, and the public to advocate for agriculture and the FFA. Laney proudly serves as the 2025-2026 South Dakota FFA State Treasurer.
Ireland McAreavey
2025-2026 State Reporter
Ireland McAreavey is the daughter of Jeff and Gidget McAreavey and the sister of Kendall McAreavey. Ireland grew up outside of Crooks, South Dakota. Her passion for agriculture started at a young age while growing up on her family’s farm. Ireland enjoys showing Hereford Cattle at the local, state and national levels. Along with showing Herefords, Ireland was a member on the South Dakota Junior Hereford Association Board of Directors where she most recently holds the position of President-elect. Ireland is also very active in her 4-H club serving on the officer team from 2019-2025 holding various positions. Ireland attended high school at Tri-Valley where she graduated in May of 2025. While at Tri-Valley High School, she was very involved in FFA. In FFA, Ireland competed in many different LDEs and CDEs including, Livestock evaluation, Meats Evaluation, Conduct of Chapter Meetings, Agriculture Sales and Extemporaneous speaking. She also served as a chapter officer for two years as well as the District VII Reporter from 2023-2024. One of Ireland's favorite FFA memories was attending the National FFA convention in 2023 where she competed in the National Ag Sales contest. Ireland is excited to share her passion and love for FFA and Agriculture through her year of service. In the fall, Ireland will be attending South Dakota State University to further her education majoring in Agriculture Education. Ireland proudly serves as the 2025-2026 State FFA Reporter.
Skyler Plucker
2025-2026 State Sentinel
Skyler Plucker, son of Brenda and Stuart Plucker, has been a dedicated member of the Lennox Sundstrom FFA Chapter for six years while attending Lennox High School. Growing up on his family’s dairy farm ignited an early passion for agriculture—a passion that has only grown stronger through his active involvement in FFA. Over the past year, he had the honor of serving as Vice President of his chapter and has also held various other officer positions, including Parliamentarian, Treasurer, District 3 Secretary, and District 3 Treasurer. Skyler is deeply engaged in showing his Guernsey cattle and participates in 4-H, Shooting Sports, and every opportunity FFA offers to support personal growth and community service. Among his most memorable FFA experiences are competing in the Dairy Handling Event at the National FFA Convention, earning a top-five placement in Extemporaneous Speaking at the state level, and helping organize his chapter’s annual pancake feed. He has participated in a wide range of events, including Creed Speaking, Conduct of Chapter Meetings, Parliamentary Procedure, Poultry Evaluation, Dairy Evaluation, and Land Judging. A significant part of his daily routine involves selling A2A2 milk from his Guernsey cows as part of his Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) project—an endeavor that has deepened his love for the dairy industry and broadened his understanding of its many opportunities. Skyler’s involvement in FFA has been life-changing, equipping him with valuable skills, connecting him with inspiring individuals, and opening numerous doors for his future. He credits the program with shaping who he is today and cannot imagine his life without it. Skyler will be continuing his education at South Dakota State University this fall. Skyler proudly serves as the 2025-2026 South Dakota FFA State Sentinel.
Modesty Heath
2025-2026 State Ambassador
Modesty Heath is the daughter of Jim and Melissa Heath and a proud first-generation South Dakotan. She grew up in Huron and graduated from Wolsey-Wessington High School in 2025. In FFA, she competed in Floriculture, Ag Issues, Food Science, and Conduct of Chapter Meetings, and she’s served as a district reporter, promoting FFA events and leadership across her district. She’s also been active in FCCLA, All-State Choir, and pageantry—previously serving as Miss State Fair’s Teen and currently holding the title of Miss South Dakota Teen Volunteer 2025. She works for her family’s business, Independent Health Solutions, providing at-home care to seniors and individuals with disabilities. She is currently attending Huron Community Campus, completing her general education courses, and plans to transfer to South Dakota State University to earn an associate degree in Mortuary Science. As a 2025–2026 South Dakota State FFA Ambassador, she’s excited to give back to an organization that’s played a major role in shaping her leadership and future in agriculture.
Wyatt Lesmeister
2025-2026 State Ambassador
Wyatt Lesmeister is the son of Mike and Sandy Lesmeister. Wyatt has grown up near Belle Fourche on his family's ranch. He has worked with the cattle and fixing fence. He attended school in Belle Fourche and graduated in 2025 from Belle Fourche High School. While in high school he was active in FFA, Math and Science Club, Teen Court, Youth Leadership Team, Student Council, Theater, Yearbook, and FCCLA. Outside the school he was active in 4-H, went to Boys State, was a Legislative Page, and member of the St James Lutheran Church Youth Group. In FFA, he did Conduct of Chapter Meetings, Creed Speaking, Food Science and Technology, Parliamentary Procedure, and Ag Business Management. He also attended the Washington Leadership Conference, was Chapter Reporter for 2 years, and was a National FFA in the USA Reporter. His favorite memories involve hanging out and having fun with people at competitions, conferences, or camps. Wyatt knows that agriculture is important in life and is excited to be able to work in this association to ensure our industry fulfills it's needs. Wyatt will be attending Augustana University majoring in Accounting. Wyatt is proudly serving as one of your 2025-2026 South Dakota FFA State Ambassadors!