“A substantial crop inventory at the beginning of 2012 coupled with more crop acreage and higher prices associated to the drought across the United States helped bolster the crop sales last year.  Plus, crop insurance income related to the drought mainly south of interstate 90 contributed to that increase,” said Chris Downs an instructor at the Center.

Corn silage was the most profitable crop raised in 2012 with a return of $379/acre. A higher than normal price for silage along with the farmers also receiving crop insurance for the low grain yields contributed to this profit.  Winter Wheat, seemingly unaffected by the drought was second with a return of $309/acre.  Corn at $305/acre, Spring Wheat at $145/acre, soybeans at $117/acre and alfalfa at $86/acre were the next in line, respectively.

Winter wheat showed the biggest increase in average yields over 2011.  The rest of the crops showed a decrease in average yields from the same year.  Winter wheat showed an average yield of 75.9bu./acre compared to 56 bu/acre in 2011.  Corn, the biggest loser, decreased from an average of 127bu./acre in 2011 to 87.1bu./acre in 2012.  Soybeans yielded 27.3bu./acre and alfalfa yielded 2.4 ton/acre.  Corn Silage also dropped to 7.1 ton/acre

It cost South Dakota farmers $65/acre more to raise corn in 2012 with a total cost of $538/acre for cash rented ground.  Total input costs for soybeans were $372/acre, an increase of $50 over 2011.  Farmers spent an extra $90/acre on winter wheat for a total price of $368/acre.  While alfalfa had the biggest cost per acre increase of $127, its total cost to operate an acre of ground was $333.

Downs said, “2012 was a challenging year for farmers in South Dakota, especially south of I-90 where the drought was the worst.  Maintaining their profitability with assorted risk management practices will be the key to their future in agriculture.”

Lentsch, appointed by Gov. Dennis Daugaard earlier this month, will officially become state agriculture secretary on Monday.

He replaces outgoing secretary Walt Bones who he called “a phenomenal representative for South Dakota.”

His time in Mitchell was a “meet and greet” opportunity to touch base with constituents at the MTI Student Center building.

MTI Foundation Director Heather Lentz said MTI organized the event to showcase the school’s ag programs, to welcome Lentsch as the new agriculture secretary “and to let him tell us where he thinks the future of agriculture is going in South Dakota.”

Lentsch’s remarks followed comments by MTI President Greg Von Wald, emcee Nate Franzen, president of the ag finance division of the Yankton-based First Dakota National Bank, and Rosie Nold, South Dakota State University Extension director.

In comments to MTI farm program students assembled in the Student Center Commons, Lentsch stressed the importance of education.

His father, he said, had an eighthgrade education, but earning his GED opened the door to learning a skilled trade and a 20-year career with John Deere.

“He wanted to be in agriculture; it just wasn’t in the cards in the mid’60s to come back to the family farm,” he said.

His dad, he said, counted himself lucky. Working at John Deere, his father eventually saved enough to purchase his own farm property in Marshall County.

“Everything good in my life, I can trace back to agriculture,” Lentsch said.

His work with the Department of Agriculture has enabled him to move beyond a local view of agriculture to consider regional and international impacts.

“We’re looking at a global economy and we’re in a great spot — the breadbasket of our country is here.” Production agriculture has enabled the region’s workforce to buck national unemployment trends, Lentsch said.

Lentsch, 39, said time serving with the military in Iraq taught him the importance of seizing opportunities when they arise.

“When everything you think you know and cherish may be over,” he said. “That’s when you start living.”

He told students, “Don’t ever underestimate the power that you have to make a difference. I believe in you and I want you to have the opportunities for a diverse and viable agricultural industry.”

When China’s population increases monthly by the size of South Dakota’s population, said Lentsch, “the demand for food isn’t going to stop any time soon.”

Lentsch said he plans to carefully study his department’s seven divisions, but stopped short of announcing any changes. He said the office will explore ways to add even more value to commodities before they are shipped out of state.

Lentsch was unable to coax any questions from MTI’s ag students, but Salem farmer Bedeane Kurth, 82, pulled him aside after the meeting and put in a word for livestock producers.

“I talked to the young fella about all the shelterbelts being torn up,” Kurth said. “Some are old and need to be, but we’ve got to get them replaced. We’ve got to get this grass back and growing because the backbone of South Dakota is livestock, and livestock’s got to have grass.”

Kurth said the state’s farmers must continue doing what they do best.

“When you think of the economic impact we have in rural agriculture, we can do it, we can make a future for our communities, but we have to keep investing in what we do, and do well, and that’s agriculture.”

Lentsch is a veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom and was awarded the Bronze Star for meritorious service. He is a member of the VFW, the American Legion and he also volunteers with the Boy Scouts of America.

According to state reports, he served for two years as executive director of the South Dakota Republican Party and spent 10 years in business development prior to moving to Pierre.

He was a founding member and chairman of Glacial Lakes Area Development, a community development nonprofit organization in northeastern South Dakota.

Lentsch and his wife Laura, have four children.

The average hog finishing enterprise showed a slight profit of $1.71/cwt. of pork produced in 2012 compared to $9.27/cwt. profit in 2011. The reflection of higher feed prices is evident here, as prices received between the years were similar: $63.21 in 2012, $62.87 in 2011.

The average dairy herd in the program showed a loss of $398/cow in 2012 as the average price of milk sold declined to $17.73/cwt. from $20.16 in 2011. The total expense per cow in 2012 was $3288, whereas 2011’s total expense/cow was $3059. The cost to produce 100 pounds of milk in 2012 was $19.35 compared to $15.30 in 2011. A decrease in production was reflected in the total cost/cwt.

The major factors that affect the profitability in the livestock enterprises are death loss, feed costs and purchase/selling price. Good management of your livestock enterprises will increase your chances of profitability.

Average net farm profit of enrolled farmers was $228,908 in 2011 and increased to $236,437 in 2012. “Net farm profit represents dollars earned from the farm before business expansion, loan principal payments and family living expenses are paid,” says Roger DeRouchey, Farm Management Instructor at Mitchell Technical Institute. The average enrolled family farm spent $62,940 for living but also earned $20,886 from non-farm sources. “Non-farm income helps for covering family expenses in today’s farming,” says DeRouchey.

A number of factors contributed to the increase. The farming 2011 year was very good in both the livestock and crop enterprises. In the 2012 year the livestock enterprises just broke even with the higher feed input prices, and the higher harvest time grain and feed prices helped the crop enterprises as most farmers had bought up on their crop insurance coverage levels.

Good progress was made towards increasing net worth or owner’s equity. A change in equity of $218,062 was realized by the average farm, a 14% increase in 2012. In 2011 the change in equity was an increase of $234,570 or 16%. Gains can occur as a result of investing farm income into capital assets or repaying debt. Further evidence of the range of profitability can be seen in the equity change between the high and low profit farms.

by Ross Dolan, The Daily Republic

To the untrained eye, the student is simply standing in the corner of his classroom wearing a welding mask.

Inside that mask, however, Conner Whitley, of Redfield, a first-year student in Mitchell Technical Institute’s new welding and advanced manufacturing technology program, is “welding” in a virtual world he views through a special headset built into his mask. With a few adjustments, he has his choice of welding on a military base in a desert environment, in a car shop, or on a skyscraper job site.

The high-tech simulator doesn’t replace hands-on welding, says instructor Travis Peterson, but it’s a compelling and attractive introduction to various welding processes that meets students where they live.

“For someone who has never welded before, it’s a great tool, but when you get out there with sparks landing on your shoulders, it’s a whole different world,” Peterson said.

The simulator makes learning the basics fun, and students regularly hold informal competitions to determine who can produce the best virtual weld.

Simulators, robotics, lasers and computer programming hold no terrors for students weaned on computers and video games, Peterson said.

“This is fun to them, and they’re getting better at it than I am,” he said.

While the two-year program covers all forms of gas and electric arc welding, this program is about far more than just welding.

The real “fun” stuff, Peterson said, will come in the program’s second year, when students delve into robotics, laser-cutting equipment and the programming of lathe and milling equipment capable of fabricating any machine part.

MTI’s welding program was launched this fall with the help of a $600,000 grant from the Governor’s Office of Economic Development.

Facilities at MTI’s north, or Capital Street, campus, had lain dormant since the 1996 shutdown of MTI’s original welding program. The new program is temporarily at the north campus until moving to the south campus next fall.

Julie Brookbank, MTI vice president for marketing, said welding was one of MTI’s first programs when the school opened in 1968. The program slowed in the mid-1990s as student numbers dwindled. It was discontinued in 1996 as part of statewide cuts during the Janklow administration.

“At the time, there was not a great demand for trained welders,” said Brookbank. Many companies decided they could provide the training on-the-job in a short amount of time. Prior to the program’s demise, it had been reduced to a six-month diploma program.

Students can still leave the program early if they wish, but Peterson believes that’s unlikely because they know the real meat of the program will be in its second year. Yet the program will offer students the option of leaving with a one-year diploma, or sticking with the program and earning a two-year, AAS (associate in applied science) degree.

All of Peterson’s first year students have committed to coming back next year and he hopes to sign a minimum of 24 new first-year students next year.

“We don’t want to turn down anyone. There’s such a demand for our students,” he said.

Peterson, who has 23 years of welding experience, graduated from MTI in 1991. He was one of the last students to graduate from the original program.

He is also excited that MTI will soon become an accredited testing facility. Peterson already holds hold American Welding Society certifications as a welding educator and welding inspector.

The demand for advanced welding and manufacturing skills is stronger than ever, with Trail King Industries and Twin City Fan being two supportive local employers.

Some students, with the help of Pell grants and other programs, will complete their first year at little to no cost.

Several received $1,000 Critical Needs grants from the state, and more than half Peterson’s students participated in the Workforce Recruitment Program.

Under that program, students get $2,000 each year toward tuition if they commit to working for two years for a local employer after graduation.

Trail King, Twin City Fan and Horizontal Machining Inc., of Huron, are all participants in the recruitment program.

The program has been beneficial to MTI, his students and the companies involved, said Peterson, who added, “We feed each other.”

Students get more than core curriculum classes and hands-on experience as part of their education. They also receive a firsthand education in the economics of production and how using manufacturing best practices can save a company thousands of dollars a year.

Because of a late first-year start-up, the MTI program began with just 10 students. At the minimum, Peterson hopes to double that first-year number next year.

Student ages range from 17 to 58, which makes for some interesting class dynamics.

“When you put a 17 year-old and a 58-year-old together, you get some definite opinions on how things should be done,” Peterson said.

MTI’s new program caught the eye of Chase Rovere, who was welding cattle pens in western South Dakota when he heard of the revamped welding program.

“The job wasn’t going anywhere,” he said, “and then a buddy told me about MTI. I met with the instructor and he seemed like he knew what he was talking about.” The comment brought a chuckle from Peterson.

Rovere said the companies he’s spoken with don’t just want a guy who can stick two pieces of metal together — they want someone who knows how to program and operate complex computerized manufacturing equipment.

The state GOED grant enabled Peterson to pack his classroom with state-of-the-art equipment, including a dozen Haas control simulation modules. The modules are a combination simulator-controller that allows students to write and test operating programs prior to using them on actual CNC (computer numerically controlled) lathes and milling machines.

The MTI program will move to its new south campus location next year. The current welding facilities will then be used by the welding program in the new Mitchell Area Career and Technical Education Academy. The academy program will give students advanced standing if they decide to transition to the MTI welding program.

Michaela Anderson                   Yankton

Amelia Foster                            Estelline

Angel Hallan                             Iroquois

Tabitha Hoffmann                     Alexandria

Samantha Johnson                    Rapid City

Paula Kummer                          Parkston

Katherine McDole                    Alcester

Stanna Olinger                          Wessington Springs

Haley Scholten                          Armour

Elizabeth White Hat                  Rosebud

Administrative Office Specialist

Cody Bassett                             Emery

Callie Beck                                Springview, NE

Kellie Chavis                             Yankton

Jill Gislason                              Tioga, ND

Lynette Jungemann                   Wolsey

Kayce Kalahar                          Huron

Joanna Lafortune                      Mitchell

Jessica Tucker                           Salem

Breanna VandenBos                 Gregory

Agricultural Technology

Devin Backes                             Kimball

Dustin Baumgartner                  Iona

Dusti Berry                                Philip

Marcia Dvorak                           Lake Andes

Cain Glanzer                              Huron

Levi Goetz                                 Selby

Riley Lau                                   Armour

Cameron Paul                            Mitchell

Andrew Price                             Dell Rapids

Samantha Ravnaas                     Harrold

Christa Roth                              Freeman

Evan Schoenfelder                     Dimock

Rachel Schurr                            Roscoe

Matthew Semmler                      Mitchell

Lisa Sherwood                           Wood

Nathan Smit                               Lennox

Levi Sowards                             Hosmer

Krina Spaans                             Corsica

Jordan Swanson                        Pukwana

Schyler Swenson                       Woonsocket

Jon Vilhauer                              Avon

Thaddeus Walter                       Howard

Steven Whistler                         Spencer

Riley Zoss                                 Letcher

Architectural Design & Building Construction

Tara Mehlbrech                         Alexandria

Wayne Opp                              Gregory

Brenna Sibson                          Vermillion

Brandon Van Overschelde        Cavour

Jordan Van Zee                         Corsica

Jonathan Waba                         Madison

Automation Controls/SCADA

Bruce DeJong                            Mitchell

Cory Fitch                                 Sioux Falls

Chase Geppert                           Mt. Vernon

Kenton Gruenwald                    Zell

Kaleb Sly                                   Stickney

Culinary Academy

Joshua Bock                             Aberdeen

Meghan Hayes                          Mitchell

Dustin Koepke                          Bristol

Rachel Konechne                      Platte

Kaylie Pfanstiel                         Randolph, NE

Carl Plastow                              Mitchell

Electrical Construction & Maintenance

Michael Bentz                            Artas

Dallas Bergeson                        Hartford

Austin Blocker                           Aberdeen

Charles Buus                             Lennox

Alexis Carman                           Leola

Lucas Carson                             Montrose

Jordon Connor                          Ethan

Tyler Crawford                          Beaver Creek, MN

Darren Daum                             Platte

Ernest Duenwald                       Mitchell

James Ford                                Colton

Spencer Frank                           Selby

Landon Hazelton                       Pipestone, MN

Kevin Hinton                             Eureka

Larry Knight                              Alpena

Brett Knudson                           Canton

Jay Kriz                                     Tyndall

Jacob Longville                          Kennebec

Jacob Moser                              Larchwood, IA

Alex Pauli                                  Milbank

Jeffrey Preheim                         Freeman

Johann Stokes                           Menno

Shawn Trode                             Mitchell

Jesse Vosika                              Burke

Jordan Walburg                         Volga

Michael Wuebben                     Hartington, NE

Farm Power Technology

Cole German                             Canton

Bailey Grotewold                       Canton

Trevor Haas                               Yankton

Brady Jacobsen                         Canova

Brett Martin                               Chester

Jalen Miller                                Mitchell

Joseph Myers                            Onida

Kyle Schulz                               Philip

Jay Wieczorek                           Mount Vernon

General Education

Morgan Iwan                             Scotland

Heating & Cooling Technology

Taylor Docter                            Volga

Jophery Jenner                          Mitchell

Kevin Schurman                        Yankton

Cole Severson                            Pierre

Orin VanderMay                       Long Valley

Industrial Maintenance Technology

Andrew Adam                            Yankton

Michael Darcy                           Yankton

Joseph Hines                             Yankton

Information Systems Technology

Kayla Beck                                Mitchell

Lucas Beck                                Mitchell

Tyler Davis                                Hot Springs

Wade Epperson                         Clear Lake, TX

Samuel Glanzer                         Emery

Jessica Heinrich                         Upton, WY

Rebecca Herron                         Mitchell

Bryce Jessen                              Letcher

Jonathan Kaufmann                   Spencer

Dustin Kubik                             Mitchell

Lisa Musgrave                           Mitchell

Michael Papasso                        Ortonville, MN

Ryan Sowl                                 Mitchell

Cody Weerheim                        Mitchell

Charles Wry                              Scotland

Medical Assistant
Megan Anderegg                       Sioux Falls

Sarah Deurmier                         Mitchell

Allison Grout                             Webster

Hilary Ryan                               Wessington Springs

Megan Sedlacek                        Wessington Springs

Diann Wagner                           Winner

Tanna Wenger                           Mills, NE

Medical Laboratory Technology

Helen Breitag                             Pierre

Crystal Domeyer                       Ellsworth, MN

Cherokee Durant                       Ada, OK

Audra Eberts                              Freeman

Kristi Homolka                          Mitchell

Tia McMurtry                            Miller

Katie Patzlaff                             Mitchell

Nicola Schaefer                         Alexandria

Allison Schmit                           Artesian

Morgan Vedvei                          Hetland

Medical Office Professional

Beth Bollack                              Mitchell

Shauna Degeest                         Parkston

Laura Earl                                  Mitchell

Mari Flack                                 Mitchell

Sina Glover                                Mitchell

Morgan Hofer                           Hitchcock

Becky Jacobson                         Mitchell

Kari Kennedy                            Grand Forks, ND

Sonora Opp                               Mitchell

Alexandra Risinger                    Emery

Brooke Steckelberg                   Chamberlain

Office Technology Specialist

Lillyanne Ames                          Spearfish

Melissa Berens                          Plankinton

Patti Boomsma                          Stickney

Rebecca Plascencia                    Cavour

Leann Schrader                          Gregory

Susan Toupal                             Chamberlain

Alexander Kayser                      Alexandria

Ginger Manke                           Madison

Michael Tolliver                         Cody, NE

Power Line Construction & Maintenance

Kevin Armbruster                      Edgemont

Trenton Berglee                         Wolf Point, MT

Isaiah Boender                           Oskaloosa, IA

Dana Deslauriers                       Doland

Turner Donahue                        Rapid City

Connor Florey                           Lake Andes

Tucker Gassman                        Canova

Tee Halligan                              Soldier Creek

Ethan Hannasch                         Britton

Gregory Hansen                        Dell Rapids

Benjamin Huumala                    Hayti

Benjamin Inich                          Rapid City

Connor Kortan                          Albert Lea, MN

Logan Kortan                            Albert Lea, MN

Nicholas Kramer                       Howard

Keith Krome                              Sioux Falls

Kody Lesmeister                       Mobridge

Trey Marshall                            Mobridge

Brandon Miller                          Tea

Brandon Perkins                        Warroad, MN

Zachary Porter                           Hawarden, IA

Austin Schnieders                      Dell Rapids

Sean Schwartz                           Redfield

Marcus Skelton                         Owatonna, MN

Bryan Small                               Huron

John Wallace                             Garretson

Steven Witte                              Watertown

Power Sports Technology
Chase Albers                             Hartford

Matthew Bankes                        Garretson

Nicholas Gauthier                      Mitchell

Christopher Holt                        Clear Lake

Jacob Johnson                           Mitchell

Laken Jorgensen                        Kadoka

Dustin Kilian                             Lebanon

Darin Koch                                Salem

Logan Koepsell                         Canova

Bryan Petree                              Mitchell

Jackson Roberts                        Warner

Evan Stratton                             Rutland

Brady Temple                            Parker

Anthony Vearrier                       Plankinton

Jacob Vittitoe                             Mitchell

Precision Technology Specialist

Travis Anderson                        Watertown

Riley Schoenfelder                    Mitchell

Skyler Stahl                               Mitchell

Wade Stein                                Elkton

Andrew Weber                          Britton

Propane & Natural Gas Technologies

Travor Bohle                              Selby

Alex Duprel                               Sturgis

Brandon Hoyt                            Wyoming, MN

Lucas Nehlich                            Roscoe

Daniel Pridie                              Spearfish

Judd Rosenboom                       Little Rock, IA

Radioiogic Technology

Shelby Curtis                             Dallas

Sunni Busch                              Mission

Jennifer Dubal                           Mitchell

Keshia Halma                            Sioux Falls

Ashten Rombough                     Spearfish

Radiation Therapy
Heather Borns                           Clark

Gretchen Grismer                      Clark

Kristin Knott                             Red Lake Falls, MN

Carlie Lambert                           Madison

Satellite Communications
Joseph Barnes                           Rapid City

Raymond Loyko                        Pahrump, NV

Joshua Luckett                           Huron

Adam Martin                             Philip

Taylor Meyer                             Mitchell

Jacob Schmidt                           Mitchell

Kristopher Schmidt                   Rapid City

Kyle Tanke                                Wessington Springs

James Tipton                             Elkton

David Waletich                          Milbank

Martin Weinrauch                     Littleton, CO

Dylan Youngstrom                    Mitchell

Small Business Management

Andrea Groves                           Wessington Springs

Jessica Jager                              Alexandria

Brandon Lee                              Gayville

Speech-Language Pathology Assistant
Joan Enders                               Kadoka

Amanda Sabers                          Salem

April Star                                   Stickney

Telecommunications

Mitchell Brandriet                      Arlington

Dylan Brynjulson                      Hartford

Lucas Burdick                           Redfield

Dillon Coughlin                         DeSmet

Tyler Dean                                 Highmore

Kevin Dubal                              Mitchell

Jacob Ellens                               Hartford

Chase Ellis                                 Humboldt

Matthew Hubbard                      Mitchell

Jacob Larsen                              Springview, NE

Trey Osburn                              Columbus, MT

Emily Tordsen                           Lakefield, MN

Brady Weischedel                     Onida

Jeremiah White                          Canistota

Blane Zeleny                              Morse Bluff, NE

Utilities Technology
Dylan Haas                                Yankton

Wesley Jorgensen                     Hay Springs, NE

Jaime Koopman                         LeMars, IA

Damian Pillatzki                        Big Stone City

Anthony Tomac                         Lemmon

Wind Turbine Technology

Heath Becker                             Sioux Falls

Devon Blaine                             Hartford

Matthew Crane                          Aberdeen

Jeremiah Dean                           Fort Collins, CO

Drew Holter                               Platte

Kyle Jones                                 Chester

Curtis Keefe                              Wolsey

Austin Kirschbaum                    Humboldt

Christopher Koblank                 Sioux Falls

Frederick Leader Charge           Sioux Falls

Tyler Nelson                              Sioux Falls

Dalton Nohr                              Rapid City

Phillip Oligmueller                    Lennox

Jared Peterson                           Sturgis

Jonathan Reichel                        Mitchell

Sean Salisbury                           Sturgis

Nicholas Schneider                    Alton, IA

Patrick Unruh                            Marion

Clay Wattier                              Groton

Zane Wolf                                 Rapid City

In presenting the awards to educators, Koth said the impact is indirect, though just as vital, to economic development through their work with the future generations.

“These individuals are impacting the lives of our children and youth through education,” he said.

Though Koth noted each person’s resume extended beyond his remarks, Von Wald and Paustian were named for their involvement with Mitchell Technical Institute, Graves for the Mitchell School District and Duffett for Dakota Wesleyan University.

Paustian was nominated to speak on behalf of all four award recipients, which he joked was a “triple, double cross,” but thanked the chamber for the recognition.
“Thank you for recognizing education in this community,” he said.


(Excerpted from an article by Candy DenOueden in the Mitchell Daily Republic, January 26, 2013)

A total of 324 students at Mitchell Technical Institute have been placed on the Spring Semester 2012 President’s List, according to MTI President Greg Von Wald.  A GPA of 3.5 or higher is required to receive this honor.

Included on the Fall 2012 President’s List are:

Accounting/Business Management

Wanda Gibson                          Mitchell

Karlee Jackson                          Adrian, MN

Victoria Koupal                         Wagner

Paula Kummer                           Parkston

Katherine McDole                     Alcester

Evan Muller                               Wessington Springs

Laurel Patton                             Mitchell

Shawn Raymond                       Reliance

Karli Rye                                   Irene

Maria Samuelson                       Platte

Cameron Shumake                    Mitchell

Administrative Office Specialist

Jamie Couch                              Orchard, NE

Agricultural Chemical Technology

Patrick Ordal                             Humboldt

Agricultural Technology

Lynzi Adamson                         Pukwana

Thomas Ashley                         Kimball

Devin Backes                            Kimball

Robert Beck                              Artas

Alan Bruinsma                          Stickney

Derek Cihak                              Avon

Cody Cuka                                Tyndall

Kayla Cullison                           Kimball

Elliott Cwach                             Geddes

David Deurmier                         Eureka

Ryan Harris                               Highmore

Ryan Hauck                               Avon

Blaine Heydon                           Wessington Springs

Phylicia Hoffmann                    Wessington

Timothy Mesman                      Springfield

Andrew Price                             Dell Rapids

Samantha Ravnaas                     Harrold

Kristine Retzlaff                        Huron

Layton Schimke                         Wessington Springs

Evan Schoenfelder                     Dimock

Scott Stukel                               Burke

Jordan Swanson                        Pukwana

Cody Tjeerdsma                        Tyndall

Tiffany Villmow                        Delmont

Cody Vogt                                 Herrick

Thaddeus Walter                       Howard

Architectural Design & Building Construction

Jacob Andersen                         Centerville

Seth Bietz                                  Tripp

Blaire Dinger                             Aberdeen

Paige Gunhammer                     Wagner

Ryan Heusinkveld                     Springfield

Shaughn Mora                           Delmont

Wayne Opp                               Mitchell

Brenna Sibson                           Mitchell

Jonathan Waba                          Madison

Michael Zomer                          Corsica

Automation Controls/SCADA

Wayne Berglund                       Sturgis

Jesse Boden                               Tabor

Edward Boehmer                       Mitchell

Bruce DeJong                            Mitchell

Cody Goetz                               Hartington, NE

Marco Medina                           Huron

Tyler Pepper                              Bonesteel

Monty Poncelet                         Mitchell

Joshua Rasmussen                    Mitchell

David Shutt                                Yankton

Christopher Weisser                  Wagner

Dennis Wubben                        Tabor

Culinary Academy

Clarence Breuer                         Madison

Danielle Gwin                            Pierre

Jessica Kruse                             Canby, MN

Francisco Niño                          Yankton

Trevor Piersol                            Pierre

Carl Plastow                              Mitchell

Alisha Schramm                        Rapid City

Amanda Suhr                             Dimock

Alisha Vanden Hoek                  Corsica

Anthony Weatherford                Armour

Electrical Construction & Maintenance

Mickey Aldrich                          Sioux Falls

Eric Boehmer                             Mitchell

Kyle Boehmer                           Parkston

Alexis Carman                           Leola

Jordon Connor                          Ethan

Dana Deslauriers                       Doland

Ronald Disbrow                        Sioux Falls

Ryan Elcock                              Sioux Falls

Blake Geary                               Conde

Kaylor Good                             Moorcroft, WY

Christopher Grassrope              Lower Brule

Zachary Haugen                        Gregory

Jordan Hauk                              Quinn

Jared Hermanek                         Lake Andes

Larry Knight                              Alpena

Jay Kriz                                     Tyndall

Jason Kuiken                             Hartford

Jeremy Pavel                              Tabor

Mitchell Perman                        Aberdeen

Jeffrey Preheim                         Freeman

Gary Soupir                               Redwood, MN

Johann Stokes                           Menno

Justin Thompson                       Canton

Shawn Trode                             Mitchell

Jesse Vosika                              Burke

Electrical Utilities & Substation Technology

Devon Ehlers                             Philip

John Feske                                Flandreau

Brandon Klumb                         Mt. Vernon

Brandon Loll                             Mitchell

Derreck Martin                          Burke

Joshua Millard                           Springview, NE

Daniel Norby                             Madison

John Roest                                 Colman

Ryan Stahl                                 Mt. Vernon

General Education

Shelby Curtis                             Dallas

Colton Fawcett                           Highmore

Nicholas Gauthier                      Mitchell

Bailey Heninger                         Ft. Pierre

Tiffany Lerew                            Groton

Dana Lien                                  Presho

Raymond Loyko                        Pahrump, NV

Emily Tordsen                           Lakefield, MN

Jeffrey White                             Las Vegas, NV

Kerry Wieczorek                       Canton

Heating & Cooling Technology

Jacob Arhart                              Squaw Lake, MN

Jordan Arhart                             Squaw Lake, MN

Jeffrey Digerness                      Alexandria

Robert Gahl                               Plankinton

Logan Gregg                             Pierre

Jophery Jenner                          Mitchell

Jacob Jones                               Mitchell

Benjamin McFarland                 Mitchell

Cory Mitchell                            Charlo, MT

Marcus Schmitz                         Burke

Kevin Schurman                        Yankton

Taylor Stanage                           Hurley

James Thomas                           Gettysburg

Orin VanderMay                       Long Valley

Industrial Maintenance Technology

Todd Deville                              Yankton

Matthew Ellison                         Yankton

Pat Mines                                  Yankton

Lonnie Pinkelman                      Tyndall

Information Systems Technology

Kayla Beck                                 Mitchell

Rebecca Herron                         Mitchell

Ryan Jackson                             Mitchell

Jeremy Jacobson                       Gregory

Donna Kiewel                             Mitchell

Dustin Kubik                             Mitchell

Knowles Sowell Jr.                    Miller

Ryan Sowl                                 Mitchell

Jerrica Withorn                          Corsica

Medical Assistant

Arien Bahm                               Mitchell

Polly Gill                                   Pierre

Allison Grout                             Webster

Elizabeth Hainy                         Mitchell

Terra Rehurek                            Yankton

Megan Sedlacek                        Wessington Springs

Diann Wagner                           Mitchell

Tanna Wenger                           Mills, NE

Medical Laboratory Technology

Allison Schmit                           Artesian

Medical Office Professional

Beth Bollack                              Ethan

Jenna Christenson                     Mitchell

Shauna Degeest                         Parkston

Cassi Dey                                  Alexandria

Rachel Ellingson                        New Effington

Mari Flack                                 Mitchell

Sina Glover                                Mitchell

Morgan Hofer                           Hitchcock

Amanda Larson                         Kimball

Sarah Larson                             Wessington Springs

Kayleen Munsen                       White Lake

Amanda Newton                        Mitchell

Rachel Roby                              Mitchell

Karen Rose                                Redfield

Karen Van Overschelde             Mitchell

Cindy West                               Huron

Danielle Wieczorek                   Mt. Vernon

Jessica Withorn                         Mitchell

Thomasina Ziegler                     Mitchell

Office Technology Specialist

Callie Beck                                Mitchell

Jill Gislason                               Tioga, ND

Philip Hoffman                          Sioux Falls

Lynette Jungemann                    Wolsey

Kayce Kalahar                           Huron

Jonathan Kaufmann                   Spencer

Joanna LaFortune                      Mitchell

Ginger Manke                           Madison

Kelly Namminga                       Avon

Jessica Tucker                           Salem

Breanna VandenBos                  Mitchell

Jennifer Von Eye                       Kimball

Rachelle Woodraska                  Sioux Falls

Power Line Construction & Maintenance

Logan Anderson                        Groton

Tanner Donelan                         Garretson

Tyler Goltz                                Alcester

Dylan Haas                                Yankton

Brian Hansen                             Vermillion

Cody Hansen                             Salem

Caleb Kirsch                              White Lake

Nathan Kloucek                         Scotland

Jaime Koopman                         LeMars, IA

Kyler Krogman                         White River

Terrence Kuenzel                       Sturgis

Tanner Lolley                            White River

Mathew Lynde                           Revillo

Jace Martens                              Garretson

Eric Mergen                               Dell Rapids

Rylan Pearson                           Chamberlain

Trevor Ramstad                         Mitchell

Casey Schoellerman                  Beresford

Chase Westberg                        Mitchell

Wade Wright                             Armour

Power Sports Technology

Brian Baarts                               Huron

Landon Brondsema                   Platte

Jeremy Cadotte                          Mitchell

Andrew Dale                              Webster

Peter Droppers                          Mitchell

Cody Golder                              Bridgewater

Trent Haase                               Valentine, NE

Christopher Holt                        Clear Lake

Darin Koch                                Salem

Bryan Petree                              Salem

Gary Phillips                             Ashton

Bryce Rabenhorst                      Salem

Jamie Sloan                               Mitchell

Justin Snaza                               Webster

Luke Tiesler                               Rushmore, MN

Preston Van Pelt                        Mitchell

Kyle Venard                              Murdo

Nathaniel Vendt                         Mitchell

Anthony Walz                           Tripp

Andrew Yanish                          Howard

Precision Technology Specialist

Curtis Ahlers                             Worthington, MN

Travis Anderson                        Watertown

Chelsea Beckler                         Harrold

Clinton Even                              Humboldt

Joseph Galpin                            Mitchell

Steven Koupal                           Wagner

Jeremy Owen                             Watertown

Patrick Wetzel                           Wessington Springs

Propane & Natural Gas Technologies

Keith Berg                                 Alcester

Nolan Hofer                              Canistota

Jess Kruid                                 Garretson

Shane Thiry                               White Lake

Anthony Tomac                         Watauga

Radiogic Technology

Sunni Busch                              Mission

Jennifer Dubal                           Mitchell

Alyssa Gouldin                          Sturgis

Keshia Halma                            Sioux Falls

Stephanie Novotny                    Bird Island, MN

Ashten Rombough                     Spearfish

Shelby VanZee                          Corsica

Jenna Vavra                               Winner

Radiation Therapy

Brett Boller                                Dorchester, NE

Julie Covalt                                Gering, NE

Jill Deutscher                             Rapid City

Cathy Wieseler                          Yankton

April Wulff                                Albertville, MN

Satellite Communications

Kaleb Barker                             Mitchell

Joseph Barnes                           Rapid City

Nicholas Butts                           Huron

Jon Campbell                             Mitchell

Logan Cazer                              Sioux Falls

Jeffrey Hanebuth                       Artesian

Joshua Luckett                           Huron

Adam Martin                             Philip

Taylor Meyer                             Mitchell

Kristopher Schmidt                   Rapid City

Brandon Stoltz                           Bridgewater

Shawn Sudbeck                         Mitchell

Kyle Tanke                                Mitchell

David Waletich                          Milbank

Speech-Language Pathology Assistant

Samantha Ackerman                  Redfield

Jennifer Anshutz                        Mitchell

Krystal Bailey                            Mitchell

Megan Carmichael                     Salem

Kimberly Hargens                     Stickney

NaShara Klein                           Winner

Suzannah Kloucek                     Scotland

Robbi Letcher                            Bridgewater

Jenni Ortmeier                           Mitchell

Amanda Sabers                          Salem

Rea Stroh                                   Selby

Tayla Thomas                            Kimball

Telecommunications

Eric Anderson                            Parkston

Daniel Baier                               Armour

Austin Briggs                            Pierre

Tyler Dean                                 Highmore

Kevin Dubal                              Mitchell

Jeremy Frerk                             Mission Hill

Matthew Grimme                       Pierre

Dalton Hump                             Faith

Jordan Krcil                               Wagner

Jacob Larsen                              Springview, NE

Jesse McMillan                         Mitchell

Jaryd Montgomery                    Creighton, NE

Trey Osburn                              Columbus, MT

Jesse Perez                                Huron

Brian Peterson                           Mitchell

John Thompson                         Storla

Shane Weed                              Huron

Brady Weischedel                     Onida

Utilities Technology

Tyler Anderson                          Alexandria, MN

Laramie Baker                           Hot Springs, MT

Matthew Behlings                      Big Stone City

Ryan Grandpre                          Pierre

Trevor Hanson                           Rozet, WY

Joey Knutson                            Jefferson

Joseph Springman                     Wilmont, MN

Cody Strong                              Alcester

Evan Wagner                             Garfield, MN

Wind Turbine Technology

Steven Bales                              Huron

Bryan Blumenberg                    Sioux Falls

Adam Eaton                               Mitchell

Evan Fuller                                Ft. Pierre

Shawn Gardiner                         Mitchell

Rylan Heesacker                        Porcupine

Brad King                                  Yankton

Austin Kirschbaum                    Humboldt

Frederick Leader Charge           Sioux Falls

Ty Lerew                                   Groton

Jason Luckinbill                        Yankton

Jon Magnuson                           Mitchell

Spencer Mewes                         Highmore

Jacob Miller                               Parker, CO

Christopher Nelson                   Mitchell

Curtis Nelson                            Mitchell

Dayton Nordstrom                    Mitchell

Phillip Oligmueller                    Lennox

Marcus Sattler                           Webster

Garret Spiering                          Webster

Craig Swanson                          Pukwana

Austin Weig                               Leola

By Ben Dunsmoor, KELO TV

Jobs In On-Demand Services In High Demand

"It was nice to get a certificate from him," said Pinkelman.

Pinkelman is referring to South Dakota governor Dennis Daugaard, who visited Yankton, S.D., to celebrate the success of the state's work force initiative, and its graduates like Pinkelman.

"Especially with my kids to see it, you know it gives them an incentive: that you work hard, you know, things are going to happen."

The initiative helps workers see what kind of jobs are open, and what types of skills are needed in the marketplace.

"Whatever path they choose, they know at the end of the road if there might be a high likelihood of a job or a little lower likelihood that they might have to work a little harder," said Daugaard.

Daugaard says when he left school; he wasn't quite ready for the demands of his first job. That's why he's excited about the possibilities for those who now have national career readiness certificates. The on-the-job training allows employers to plug in the new graduates right away.

"We need to turn that work ethic into a skilled work force that matches up with the job vacancies in the skilled areas where we've got them," said Daugaard.

At first, all of the equipment looks daunting, but Pinkelman's teacher says that angst quickly fades. Students get to work hands-on with models for things like air conditioning, hydraulics and welding.  

"Once you get them working hands on, they go through it, you see them get comfortable with it, you even hear them talking, you know just a few months ago we walked in hear and were going wow, now we're walking out of hear and have an understanding of it," said John Darcy, his teacher.

Pinkelman finished school in 1987. But, he went back to Mitchell Tech in August, taking classes during the day and working night shifts to support his family.

"It's just something that I knew I had to do," said Pinkelman. "I used to work for a manufacturing plant for sixteen and a half years, so I kind of knew machines, but now to learn the brains of it. That's kind of what I was excited about."

Sencore, a leading provider of signal quality and video delivery solutions, today announced that the company has provided an SMD 989 DVB-S/S2 modulator and integrated L-band upconverter to the satellite communications program of the Mitchell Technical Institute (MTI) in Mitchell, S.D.

“Sencore’s industry-leading satellite modulating equipment will be put to good use in our labs, operational facilities, and mobile satellite units,” said Jim Grace, satellite communications instructor at MTI. “Thanks to Sencore’s ongoing commitment and support, our students are receiving invaluable hands-on experience using equipment they can expect to encounter in a professional satellite operation.”

The SMD 989 is in widespread use by mobile satellite companies serving the industry’s most well-known broadcast customers. The L-band upconverter — provided in the same chassis —offers a 950- to 2150-MHz L-band output. The equipment is fully licensed and supports the latest DVB-S2 modes including multistream, VCM, 8PSK, 16APSK, and 32APSK. In addition, Sencore has provided MTI with an 8716 quad input DVB-S/S2 receiver card for use in the company’s MRD 3187 receiver/decoders already in use at the college. The 8716 card will enable students to uplink and downlink 16APSK and 32APSK DVB-S signals from the college facility.

“Sencore is committed to assisting widely respected training facilities such as MTI as they deliver the next generation of knowledgeable and well-trained satellite engineers. It’s a pleasure to work with MTI, and we look forward to assisting the students as they gain hands-on training that will make them highly valued — and employable — in real-world satellite operations,” said Sencore President Thomas Stingley.

The students are officers of South Dakota’s Career and Technical Student Organizations, and the day’s activities, including an early-morning recognition breakfast, were a part of the state’s efforts to celebrate February as National Career and Technical Education Month.

Gov. Dennis Daugaard proclaimed Feb. 7 as Career and Technical Student Organization Day in South Dakota, in honor of the positive contributions the groups make to their communities and the state as a whole.

Mitchell Technical Institute SkillsUSA was represented by Amanda Brown an Agriculture Technology student from Madison.  During the event, Brown received an up-close, inside look at the operations of state government, policy making and elected offices.

Brown had the opportunity to shadow Sen. Russell Olson, Wentworth, and Rep. Patricia Stricherz, Madison.

On Monday evening the Lieutenant Governor Michels took time and presented the bill making process in each house of the legislator and the reasons we should be involved in the process.

On Tuesday Secretary of Education Schopp spoke on how important the CTSO’s are to the development of students and Governor Daugaard took time to address the students, and provided them with a question an answer session of his thoughts and desired outcomes for South Dakota and its future.

“Many of these student leaders will become leaders within their communities,” said Tiffany Sanderson with the South Dakota Department of Education. “This is a great opportunity for them to gain experience and spark that interest.”

More than 96 percent of the students participating in career and technical education programs go on to graduate from high school. Of those graduates who took part in career and technical education programs, 76 percent continue on to post-secondary education in either a two- or four-year program.

There are nearly 700 career and technical education programs in more than 130 South Dakota school districts. CTE equips students with core academic skills and the ability to apply those skills to concrete situations; em­ployability skills, such as critical thinking and responsibility; and technical skills related to specific career pathways.

Included on the Fall 2011 President’s List are:

Accounting/Business Management

Emily Amoss                              Mitchell       

Chelsea Hettinger                       Wessington Springs

Karlee Jackson                           Adrian, MN

Emily Kneen                              Mitchell       

Victoria Koupal                          Wagner

Paula Kummer                           Parkston      

Katherine McDole                      Alcester

Evan Muller                                Wessington Springs

Laurel Patton                              Mitchell

Shawn Raymond                        Reliance

Karli Rye                                    Irene

Mysti Wenzel                             Rapid City

Agricultural Technology

Thomas Ashley                          Kimball

Devin Backes                             Platte

Robert Beck                               Artas

Amanda Brown                          Ramona

Tanner Best                                Winner

Alan Bruinsma                           Stickney

John Bush                                  Pierre

Derek Cihak                               Avon

Kayla Cullison                           Kimball

Elliott Cwach                              Geddes

David Deurmier                          Eureka

Ryan Harris                                Highmore

Ryan Hauck                               Avon

Blaine Heydon                           Wessington Springs

Phylicia Hoffmann                     Wessington

Dylan Lindeman                         Parkston

Timothy Mesman                       Springfield

Winston Nowotny                      White Lake

Andrew Price                              Dell Rapids

Samantha Ravnaas                      Harrold

Layton Schimke                         Wessington Springs

Evan Schoenfelder                      Dimock

Scott Stukel                                Burke

Jordan Swanson                         Pukwana

Cody Tjeerdsma                         Tyndall

Tiffany Villmow                         Delmont

Thaddeus Walter                        Howard

Architectural Design & Building Construction

Jacob Andersen                          Centerville   

Seth Bietz                                   Tripp           

Justin Cornell                             Mt. Vernon  

Blaire Dinger                              Aberdeen     

Paige Gunhammer                      Wagner       

Cody Heumiller                          Salem          

Ryan Heusinkveld                      Springfield  

Brenna Sibson                            Mitchell       

Tell Stoner                                  Kilgore, NE

Jonathan Waba                           Madison      

Michael Zomer                           Corsica        

Automation Controls/SCADA

Wayne Berglund                        Sturgis

Jesse Boden                               Tabor

Edward Boehmer                        Mitchell

Bruce DeJong                            Mitchell

Marco Medina                            Huron

Tyler Pepper                               Bonesteel

Monty Poncelet                          Mitchell

Joshua Rasmussen                     Mitchell

David Shutt                                Yankton

Culinary Academy

Chelsea Alexander                      Sioux Falls

Clarence Breuer                          Madison

Danielle Gwin                            Mitchell

Phuvadol Leeraksakiat              Aberdeen

Alexandria Neave                       Sioux Falls

Kyle Olson                                 Volin

Trevor Piersol                             Pierre

Carl Plastow                               Mitchell

Charles Stephenson                   Artesian

Amanda Suhr                             Dimock

Alisha Vanden Hoek                  Corsica

Anthony Weatherford                Armour

Electrical Construction & Maintenance

Mickey Aldrich                           Sioux Falls

Michael Bentz                            Artas

Eric Boehmer                             Mitchell       

Jordon Connor                           Ethan           

Dana Deslauriers                        Doland        

Dustin Dewaard                         Stickney      

Ronald Disbrow                         Sioux Falls  

Ryan Elcock                               Sioux Falls  

Joshua Feltman                          Mitchell       

Blake Geary                               Conde          

Kaylor Good                              Moorcroft, WY

Zachary Haugen                         Mitchell       

Larry Knight                              Alpena         

Jay Kriz                                      Tyndall        

Jason Kuiken                             Hartford      

Luis Meza                                  Hill City      

Jeremy Pavel                              Tabor           

Jeffrey Preheim                          Freeman      

Gary Soupir                               Mitchell

Johann Stokes                           Menno       

Colter Stout                                Kadoka        

Shawn Trode                              Mitchell       

Michael Wuebben                      Hartington, NE        

Electrical Utilities & Substation Technology

Joby Black                                 LaMoure, ND

John Feske                                 Flandreau    

Brandon Loll                              Mitchell       

Derreck Martin                           Burke          

Joshua Millard                           Madison      

John Roest                                 Salem

General Education

Michelle Erlandson                   Mitchell

Heating & Cooling Technology

Jacob Arhart                               Squaw Lake, MN

Jordan Arhart                             Squaw Lake, MN

Joseph Cuka                               Wagner       

Daniel Davis                               Burke          

Jeffrey Digerness                       Alexandria   

Robert Gahl                                Plankinton   

Eric Gebhart                               West Richland, WA

Logan Gregg                              Pierre

Gladys Jackson                          Mitchell       

Jophery Jenner                           Miller          

Jacob Jones                                Mitchell       

Benjamin McFarland                  Mitchell       

Cory Mitchell                             Charlo, MT

Marcus Schmitz                         Parkston      

Taylor Stanage                           Hurley         

James Thomas                            Gettysburg

Kyle Uttecht                               Huron  

Orin VanderMay                        Long Valley

Industrial Maintenance Technology

Matthew Ellison                         Yankton

Pat Mines                                   Yankton

Lonnie Pinkelman                      Tyndall

Paul St. Pierre                            Pickstown

Information Systems Technology

Chad Fox                                   Mitchell

Donna Kiewel                            Mitchell       

Dustin Kubik                             Mitchell       

Kyle Moe                                   Howard       

Michael Papasso                        Ortonville, MN

Knowles Sowell Jr.                    Mitchell       

Ryan Sowl                                  Mitchell       

Tyler Wagner                             Mitchell       

Jerrica Withorn                          Corsica        

Medical Assistant

Arien Bahm                               Mitchell                      

Allison Grout                            Webster                      

Elizabeth Hainy                         Mitchell                      

Jennifer Harvey                         Mitchell                      

Megan Sedlacek                        Wessington Springs   

Diann Wagner                           Colome                       

Tanna Wenger                           Mills, NE

Medical Laboratory Technology

Molly Andersh                           Wagner

Lindsey Hamer                           Kennebec

Holly Hansen                             Mitchell

Tia Hulce                                    Mitchell

Allison Schmit                            Artesian

Medical Office Professional

Beth Bollack                               Mitchell

Jenna Christenson                      Mitchell

Shauna Degeest                          Dimock

Cassi Dey                                   Alexandria

Sina Glover                                Mitchell

Morgan Hofer                            Hitchcock

Sarah Larson                              Wessington Springs

Amanda Newton                         Mitchell

Rachel Roby                               Mitchell

Karen Rose                                Redfield

Cindy West                                Huron

Danielle Wieczorek                    Mt Vernon

Jessica Withorn                         Mitchell

Office Technology Specialist

Jill Gislason                               Plankinton

Lynette Jungemann                    Wolsey

Kayce Kalahar                            Huron

Jonathan Kaufmann                   Spencer

Joanna Lafortune                        Mitchell

Kelly Namminga                        Avon

Jessica Tucker                            Salem

Breanna VandenBos                   Mitchell

Jennifer Von Eye                        Kimball

Rachelle Woodraska                  Sioux Falls

Administrative Office Specialist

Jamie Couch                               Mitchell

Computer Software Specialist

Kayla Beck                                 Mitchell

Rebecca Herron                          Mitchell

Power Line Construction & Maintenance

Jeremy Albrecht                         Freeman

Logan Anderson                         Groton

Tanner Donelan                          Garretson

Tyler Goltz                                 Alcester

Dylan Haas                                Yankton

Brian Hansen                             Vermillion

Cody Hansen                             Salem

Trevor Hanson                           Moorcroft, WY

Allen Hauk                                 Quinn

Caleb Kirsch                              White Lake

Nathan Kloucek                         Scotland

Brandon Klumb                         Mt. Vernon

Jaime Koopman                         Hudson

Kyler Krogman                          White River

Terrence Kuenzel                       Sturgis

Tanner Lolley                             Mitchell

Mathew Lynde                           Revillo

Jace Martens                              Garretson

Eric Mergen                               Dell Rapids

Ryan Stahl                                  Mt. Vernon

Chase Westberg                         Mitchell

Dustin Wilken                             Huron

Wade Wright                             Armour

Power Sports Technology

Brian Baarts                               Huron          

Jeremy Cadotte                           Mitchell       

Andrew Dale                              Webster       

Zach Donahue                            Fedora         

Cody Golder                              Bridgewater 

Christopher Holt                        Mitchell       

Mitchell Houska                         Springfield  

Darin Koch                                Salem          

Rob Logterman                          Kilgore, NE

Bryan Petree                             Salem

Luke Tiesler                               Rushmore, MN

Kyle Venard                               Murdo         

Anthony Walz                            Tripp           

Precision Technology Specialist

Chelsea Beckler                          Harrold

Joseph Galpin                            Mitchell

Steven Koupal                            Wagner

Propane & Natural Gas Technologies

Anthony Tomac                        Watauga

Radioiogic Technology

Jennifer Dubal                            Mitchell

Keshia Halma                             Sioux Falls

José Muñoz                                Mitchell

Ashten Rombough                     Spearfish

Emily Thomas                            Chamberlain

Jenna Vavra                                Winner

Radiation Therapy

Brett Boller                                 Dorchester, NE

Julie Covalt                                 Gering, NE

Jill Deutscher                             Rapid City 

Betty Dutton                               Harrison, MT 

Cathy Wieseler                          Yankton       

April Wulff                                  Albertville, MN

Satellite Communications

Jesse Andersen                           Mitchell       

Kaleb Barker                              Mitchell       

Joseph Barnes                            Mitchell 

Travis Blase                                Dimock     

Nicholas Butts                            Huron          

Jon Campbell                             Mitchell       

Christopher Edwards                  Mitchell   

Jeffrey Hanebuth                       Artesian   

Aaron Leber                               Viborg         

Joshua Luckett                           Huron          

Adam Martin                              Mitchell

Steve Mauch                              California City, CA       

Jake Schmidt                              Mitchell       

Kristopher Schmidt                    Mitchell       

Tanner Sterk                               Mitchell       

Brandon Stoltz                           Bridgewater 

Shawn Sudbeck                          Mitchell       

Kyle Tanke                                 Victor, IA

John Wubben                             Tabor

Speech-Language Pathology Assistant

Kimberly Hargens                      Stickney

Jennifer Kaemingk                     Platte

NaShara Klein                            Winner

Suzannah Kloucek                     Scotland

Jenni Ortmeier                            Mitchell

Amanda Sabers                          Salem

Rea Stroh                                   Selby

Telecommunications

Eric Anderson                            Parkston

Daniel Baier                               Armour        

Tyler Dean                                 Highmore    

Kevin Dubal                               Mitchell       

Jeremy Frerk                              Mission Hill

Matthew Grimme                       Mitchell       

Dalton Hump                             Faith

Jordan Krcil                               Wagner       

Andrew London                         Colton         

Trey Osburn                               Columbus, MT

Jesse Perez                               Huron

Brian Peterson                            Mitchell       

Blake Schemmel                         Harrisburg   

John Thompson                         Mitchell       

Shane Weed                               Huron          

Brady Weischedel                      Onida

Utilities Technology

Tyler Anderson                          Alexandria, MN

Laramie Baker                            Hot Springs, MT

Matthew Behlings                      Big Stone City         

Trevor Hanson                           Gillette, WY

Joey Knutson                             Jefferson     

William Smith                            Winner        

Joseph Springman                      Wilmont, MN

Cody Strong                               Alcester

Wind Turbine Technology

Bryan Blumenberg                     Mitchell       

Curtis Dather                              Verdigre, NE

Evan Fuller                                 Mitchell       

Rylan Heesacker                        Porcupine    

Matthew Keyser                         Pierre           

Austin Kirschbaum                    Humboldt  

Frederick Leader Charge           Mitchell 

Jason Luckinbill                         Yankton       

Jon Magnuson                           Mitchell       

Spencer Mewes                          Highmore    

Jacob Miller                               Parker, CO

Curt Nelson                               Mitchell

Tyler Nelson                              Sioux Falls  

Phillip Oligmueller                     Lennox        

Jonathan Reichel                        Mitchell       

Marcus Sattler                            Webster       

Garret Spiering                           Webster       

Craig Swanson                           Pukwana

The South Dakota Center for Farm/Ranch Management at Mitchell Technical Institute is pleased to announce a new partnership with North Central Farmers Elevator.  As part of SDCFRM’s Beginner Farmer program, NCFE will pay 50% of the first year tuition cost for two of their clients from each of their 17 service locations in north central South Dakota and south central North Dakota.

The program begins in January 2012 and is available to any producer, although beginner farmers, those who have been in business less than ten years, are the focus of the program.

Dawn Melikant, instructor for the program, will provide monthly individualized instruction to the new students.  The program, which has been offered through MTI for more than 30 years, has a newly designed curriculum and is being expanded to the northeast quarter of the state.  Instructors are also located in the Brookings/ Madison region and in Mitchell.  Expansion to a West River location is planned for July 2012.

According to NCFE Director of Communications, Subrena Green, “NCFE wants to help our young producers be successful through education. Our young producers are agriculture's future as well as NCFE's.”

For information about the South Dakota Center for Farm/Ranch Management, email Dawn Melikant at sdcfrm@mitchelltech.edu or call 605-995-7164. If you are interested in applying for the NCFE scholarship, please contact Subrena Green, Director of Communications at sgreen@ncfe.coop or call 605-426-6883.

Twenty-two Spirit of MTI Awards were given out.  The twelfth annual awards are given to recognize one student graduating from each program.  These students have been chosen by their instructors as this year’s graduates who best embody the “spirit” of MTI and exemplify their chosen occupation through study, hard work, reliability, contribution to their program, and future potential in their employment field.

Recipients included:

Livestock sales in 2010 amounted to 49.1% and crop sales accounted for 40.5% of cash operating income. Government payments were 2.8% of cash operating income in 2010 compared to 1.7% in 2009.   Other farm income amounted to 7.6% in 2010.  This data is based on a statistical analysis of each farm/ranch enrolled in the Farm/Ranch Business Management Program through the Mitchell Technical Institute.

“Excellent crop yields and higher crop prices, good beef prices, and increased hog and milk prices in 2010 helped balance the livestock income and crop income,” said Lori Christensen, Farm Management Instructor at Mitchell Technical Institute.

The most profitable crops in 2010 were Alfalfa Hay at $118.13/acre, Spring Wheat at $33.71/acre, Soybeans at of $186.40/acre, Oats at $80.99/acre, and Corn at $262.35/acre. Winter wheat showed a return/acre of $53.99 in 2010. No government payments were included in these crop enterprises.

The average yield in 2010 for Alfalfa Hay was 4.3 tons/acre, Spring Wheat at 43.3 bu./ac, Soybeans at 43.4 bu/ac, Oats at 86.4 bu/ac, Corn at 139.9 bu/ac, and Winter Wheat at 51.7 bu/ac.

The total cost per acre excluding land cost for Alfalfa was $164.47/acre, Spring Wheat was $143.25/acre, Soybeans at $183.98/acre, Oats at $118.01/acre, Corn at $286.04/acre, and Winter Wheat at $170.32/acre. To these figures one needs to add their land cost. This will vary depending upon if owned, cash rented or if crop shared. If we add a land cost of $100/acre to $286.04 cost/acre for corn and divide by $4.50/bu. harvest price we would need 85.8 bu/acre to break even. This does not include any government payments. The expenses per acre included fertilizer, chemicals, seed, crop insurance, machinery ownership and operation, interest, and other miscellaneous expenses.

“Profitability depends on consistent high yields, price received, and low total production costs.” said Christensen.

The South Dakota Center for Farm/Ranch Management is expanding its reach later in 2011 to include north central/eastern South Dakota. This follows the expansion of 2010 that included central/eastern South Dakota. This expansion was made possible in part due to the support of Farm Credit Services of America, South Dakota Corn Utilization Council, South Dakota Wheat Commission, South Dakota Soybean Research and Promotion Council, and the South Dakota Pork Producers Council. For more information about the data in this article or about the programs offered please call 1-888-647-1527.

Listed costs showed an upward trend from 2010 compared to 2009 and higher selling prices for the average livestock producer. This information is based on the statistical analysis from the farmers and ranchers enrolled in the Farm/Ranch Business Management Program through the Mitchell Technical Institute according to Calvin Pietz.

The hog finishing enterprises showed a profit of $4.34/cwt. of pork produced in 2010 compared to a loss of $2.57/cwt. in 2009.

The cow calf enterprises showed a profit of $64.63/cow in 2010 compared to a loss of $23.60 in 2009.  The beef backgrounding was profitable in 2010 with a profit of $23.29/cwt. of beef produced compared to a profit of $9.72/cwt. in 2009. Beef finishing profited $22.93/cwt in 2010 compared to a loss of $1.79/cwt. in 2009.

The dairy enterprises showed a profit in 2010 as the average price of milk was $16.39/cwt. of milk compared to $12.34 in 2009. The expense per cow in 2010 was $2789/ cow compared to $2896/ cow in 2009. The cost to produce 100 pounds of milk in 2010 was $13.20 compared to $13.26 in 2009. The profit per cow was $333.86 in 2010 compared to a loss of $224.43 per cow in 2009. The profit per 100 pounds of milk produced was $1.19 in 2010 compared to $1.11 loss in 2009.

A major factor that will affect the profitability will be the death loss in the livestock enterprises and feed costs and selling price. Good management of your livestock enterprises will increase your chances of profitability.

The average farm saw a significant increase in net farm profit from 2009 to 2010 according to a statistical analysis of each farm/ranch enrolled in South Dakota’s Farm/Ranch Business Management Program. The Farm/Ranch Business Management Program is offered to farmers and ranchers through the South Dakota Center for Farm/Ranch Management at Mitchell Technical Institute at Mitchell. The purpose of the program is to assist farm and ranch operators in upgrading their management skills.

Average net farm profit of enrolled farmers increased to $260,891 in 2010. In comparing the averages from the SD Center for Farm Ranch Management Annual Report and the data from the National Ag Statistic Service, enrolled F/RBM producers averaged 26% higher net farm profit in 2008 and 2009. The 2010 NASS data is not yet available.  “Net farm profit represents dollars earned from the farm before business expansion, loan principal payments and family living expenses are paid,” says Roger DeRouchey, Farm Management Instructor at Mitchell Technical Institute. The average enrolled family farm spent $52,252 for living.

A number of factors contributed to the significant increase this year. A good plan for risk management is the number one factor in maintaining and increasing profits along with rising yields, higher prices at harvest, and a profitable return on livestock enterprises all contributed to the increase in 2010.

Average progress was made towards increasing net worth or owner’s equity. An increase in equity of 15% was realized by the average farm in 2010. In 2009 the change in equity was an increase of 7.7%. Gains can occur as a result of investing farm income into capital assets or repaying debt. Further evidence of the range in profitability can be seen in equity change between high and low profit farms.

The South Dakota Center for Farm/Ranch Management is expanding its reach later in 2011 to include north central/eastern South Dakota. This follows the expansion of 2010 that included central/eastern South Dakota. This expansion was made possible in part due to the support of Farm Credit Services of America, South Dakota Corn Utilization Council, South Dakota Wheat Commission, South Dakota Soybean Research and Promotion Council, and the South Dakota Pork Producers Council. For more information about the data in this article or about the programs offered please call 1-888-647-1527.

Construction at Crow Lake, which has generated 200 construction jobs, according to Basin Electric, began in October of 2010. The Crow Lake project spans three counties in South Dakota and is the largest wind project in the United States owned solely by a cooperative, with a capacity of 151.5 megawatts. “We are excited to be a part of this milestone, working with our member systems, MTI and GE to shape the future of this industry,” said Ron Harper, general manager and CEO of Basin Electric. “This achievement reflects our shared commitment to wind power as a source of clean energy for our members.” “This project represents a nearly perfect example of public and private, education and industry, business and government working together,” added MTI President Greg Von Wald. Basin Electric, which serves 135 rural electrical systems in nine states, including East River Electric Power Cooperative, Madison, S.D., is a recognized leader of wind energy development in the Upper Midwest and has added approximately 451 megawatts of wind energy to its energy portfolio in the past decade. Offering proven performance and reliability, GE's 1.5-megawatt wind turbine is the most widely used megawatt-class wind turbine in the world. This machine has been successfully installed in nearly every wind regime, terrain and climate worldwide. The 1.5-MW fleet has accumulated nearly 300 million operating hours and has generated 1.4 billion megawatt-hours of electricity, enough to power 6.5 million U.S. homes. In 2010, GE’s global fleet of 1.5-MW wind turbines maintained over 98 percent availability.

Mitchell Technical Institute has been included on a new nationwide list of two-year public colleges with the fastest-growing enrollment.  Community College Week magazine ranked colleges based on enrollment size and growth.

MTI is ranked 13th on the list of the Top 50 Fastest-Growing Public Two-Year Colleges from Fall 2008 to Fall 2009 at schools with enrollments under 2500 students.  Enrollment in Fall 2008 was 756 in 2008 and it grew to 1,004 in 2009, a 33 percent increase.

Overall, South Dakota ranked fourth on the list for percentage of change in total enrollment at two-year public community and technical colleges.  An 18% increase occurred from 2008 to 2009.  

Adam Brands, ADBC II, was recently presented with the Lance Carter Memorial Just Peachy award.  This semi-annual award recognizes one student each semester for having a positive, upbeat attitude throughout the course of a semester, good attendance, a self-starter, a willing participant in projects and activities, a class influencer/leader/motivator, and in good academic standing.  Each recipient is selected by consensus of the general education department at MTI.

The award is presented in memory of long-time MTI Admissions director Lance Carter.  Due to Parkinson's disease, Carter had to take early retirement in 1999 and it was complications from Parkinson's that took his life in March 2009 at age 65.

Brands of Edgerton, Minnesota, receives $100 and his name will be engraved on a plaque displayed at MTI.

On the agenda is a proposal for a new program at MTI, Precision Technology Specialist.  The program would train students in the use of GPS, GIS, geospatial mapping and other technology for use in diverse career areas like agriculture, utilities, construction, and automation.  The program would start in Fall 2011 with 15 students.

A new program proposed by Lake Area Technical Institute is an entrepreneurship program.  Three different versions of the program would last from 11 to 20 months in length.  The program would start in Fall 2011 with 18 to 20 students to start.

Mark Wilson, director of the SD Office of Curriculum, Career and Technical Education, will propose an increase in student fees at all four technical institutes.  The request is for a $1 per credit annual increase to the facility fees until 2015 and a $1 per credit fee for maintenance and repairs in 2011-12 and 2013-14.

The additional revenue is intended to pay for construction and upkeep of new buildings being constructed or planned at the institutes.

The meeting begins at 10:00 AM.

More than a quarter million lights will dance to music during the Abbott House Festival of Lights Celebration on Thursday, December 2 at 5:30 pm. 

The 2010 Festival of Lights Celebration is a partnership effort by the Abbott House and Mitchell Technical Institute (MTI) staff and students.  More than 66 MTI students and three MTI staff members have donated more than 530 hours of work to the project.  The MTI Automation Controls/SCADA students were responsible for the music and lights programming and setup; the MTI Electrical Construction & Maintenance students worked on the electrical connections; and the MTI Architectural Design & Building Construction students provided a workday to help with installation of lights. 

“This is a great partnership that creates a win-win experience for the Abbott House and MTI,” Eric Klooz, Abbott House Executive Director, said.  “With the expertise of the MTI staff and students we can create a unique Christmas lighting display that is enjoyed by many in the Mitchell community and throughout the area.  This project helps the Abbott House raise much needed funding for its education programs while providing hands-on learning opportunities for MTI students.  Best of all, it gives MTI and Abbott House staff and students an opportunity to create one of the area’s largest Christmas light displays for people enjoy.”

MTI SCADA instructor Tony Russell was pleased to be part of the project.  “To give our students a chance at such a hands-on project is a valuable learning opportunity.  They are really challenged by the project and excited to see it completed.”

The 2010 Festival of Lights features many new lighted objects including Christmas trees, a special Abbott House archway and large stars, provided by more than 70 sponsors. The lights were put up by more than 125 volunteers and will be on display from 5:30 to 9 pm every evening through January 3.

Students in MTI’s Power Sports Technology program are a part of a first-ever program at the seventh annual BUB Motorcycle Speed Trials going on at the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah.  MTI students are assisting race officials, timers, and coordinators at the event where world records are set.  

The team of ten students and instructor Darin Maltsberger arrived at the Salt Flats on Friday, August 27.  They will return to MTI on September 7.