About the Event
The University of Minnesota hosts the Roland Peterson Agricultural Education Science Fair, a competition for FFA members who are interested in the science and technology of agriculture. The Minnesota FFA Association uses this invitational as the Minnesota FFA's Agriscience Fair. The highest-ranking FFA member or team of members with an agricultural project will advance to the national competition.
To qualify for the national agriscience fair, students must:
- Be in grades 7 - 12.
- Conduct a scientific research project pertaining to the agriculture and food science industries and present their findings to a panel of judges with a display and a report.
- Be selected as the state winner at their state agriscience fair.
- Be selected as one of the top 12 in their respective category and division.
2024 Roland Peterson Agricultural Education Science Fair
- Thursday, March 7, 2024 at 8:00am at the University of Minnesota - St. Paul campus.
- Event organizers hope to be able to offer a hybrid option for participation.
- Additional details can be found at www.mnffa.org/agriscience.
Research papers
- Research papers must be uploaded by Thursday, February 29, 2024.
- Research paper submission link is on the MN FFA website: www.mnffa.org/agriscience.
Interviews
Preregistered students (students who upload a paper) will interview on Thursday, March 7, 2024 between 9:00am - 2:00pm
- Students will have one (in-person or virtual) interview with a set of judges.
- Project explanation and questioning will not exceed 15 minutes.
- There will be 5 minutes between interviews, so interviews will be scheduled for every 20 minutes.
- Instead of AgriScience Fair boards, in-person students can do a PowerPoint presentation with a maximum of 15 slides and they can share their screen.
- Students will get a paper score and presentation score as normal.
- Official dress will be optional (as usual).
Technology Logistics (for students participating virtually)
- Students will all get the link to one zoom and will be moved into a breakout when the judges are ready. Pairs will be able to be together or in different locations (whatever works for you/them).
- Interviews will be recorded in case a virtual judge loses signal. Recordings will be deleted once results are finalized.
- If a student misses their interview and does not communicate with Lavyne Rada, they will not have a chance to interview again.
- If a student has technology issues, we will try to reschedule them for another time in the day (probably at the end of the day, but we can’t guarantee they will get an interview). We can set up a technology check on a day prior if that helps.
Agriscience Fair Divisions and Categories
Students can compete in the Roland Peterson Agriscience Fair as an individual or with a team.
- Division 1 - individual member in grades 7 and 8.
- Division 2 - team of two members in grades 7 and 8.
- Division 3 - individual member in grades 9 and 10.
- Division 4 - team of two members in grades 9 and 10.
- Division 5 - individual member in grades 11 and 12.
- Division 6 - team of two members in grades 11 and 12.
Students can compete in the Roland Peterson Agriscience Fair in one of six categories:
- Animal Systems
- Environmental Services/Natural Resource Systems
- Food Products and Processing Systems
- Plant Systems
- Power, Structural and Technical Systems
- Social Systems
Animal Systems
The study of animal systems, including life processes, health, nutrition, genetics, management and processing, through the study of small animals, aquaculture, livestock, dairy, horses and/or poultry.
Project examples:
- Compare nutrient levels on animal growth
- Research new disease control mechanisms
- Effects of estrous synchronization on ovulation
- Compare effects of thawing temperatures on livestock semen
- Effects of growth hormone on meat/milk production
Environmental Services/Natural Resource Systems
*This category was combined since 2017. Depending on participation, they may be split in the future.
- Environmental Service Systems: The study of systems, instruments and technology used to monitor and minimize the impact of human activity on environmental systems.
- Natural Resource Systems: The study of the management, protection, enhancement and improvement of soil, water, wildlife, forests and air as natural resources.
Project examples:
- Effect of agricultural chemicals on water quality
- Effects of cropping practices on wildlife populations
- Compare water movements through different soil types
Food Products and Processing Systems
The study of product development, quality assurance, food safety, production, regulation and compliance and food service within the food science industry.
Project examples:
- Effects of packaging techniques on food spoilage rates
- Resistance of organic fruits to common diseases
- Determining chemical energy stored in foods
- Control of molds on bakery products
- Effects of the amount of sucrose used in baked goods
- Use of a triangle test in sensory science
Food Products and Processing Systems
The study of product development, quality assurance, food safety, production, regulation and compliance and food service within the food science industry.
Project examples:
- Effects of packaging techniques on food spoilage rates
- Resistance of organic fruits to common diseases
- Determining chemical energy stored in foods
- Control of molds on bakery products
- Effects of the amount of sucrose used in baked goods
- Use of a triangle test in sensory science
Plant Systems
The study of plant life cycles, classifications, functions, structures, reproduction, media and nutrients, as well as growth and cultural practices, through the study of crops, turf grass, trees and shrubs and/or ornamental plants.
Project examples:
- Determine rates of transpiration in plants
- Effects of heavy metals such as cadmium on edible plants
- Compare GMO and conventional seed/plant growth under various conditions
- Effects of lunar climate and soil condition on plant growth
- Compare plant growth of hydroponics and conventional methods
Power, Structural and Technical Systems
The study of agricultural equipment, power systems, alternative fuel sources and precision technology, as well as woodworking, metalworking, welding and project planning for agricultural structures.
Project examples:
- Develop alternative energy source engines
- Create minimum energy use structures
- Compare properties of various alternative insulation products
- Investigation of light/wind/water energy sources
Social Systems
The study of agricultural areas including agricultural education, agribusiness, agricultural communication, agricultural leadership and sales in agriculture, food and natural resources.
Project examples:
- Investigate perceptions of community members towards alternative agricultural practices
- Determine the impact of local/state/national safety programs upon accident rates in agricultural/natural resource occupations
- Comparison of profitability of various agricultural/natural resource practices
- Investigate the impact of significant historical figures on a local community
- Determine the economical effects of local/state/national legislation impacting agricultural/natural resources
- Consumer confidence and understanding of food labels
- Economic effect of employment rate and meat consumption