On Thursday, January 22, 2026, the FFA regional competition for the Milk Quality and Food Science Career Development Events (CDE) were held in Mountain Lake.
The Sleepy Eye Milk Quality Team earned 2nd place in the region out of 14 teams. The team included: Megan Sellner (1st place individual), Jaelynn Schauman (3rd place individual), Callie Evers, Carter Lazatin, Jace Schauman.
The Sleepy Eye JV Milk Quality Team included: Ava Kunkel (1st place individual), Aubree Rathman (2nd place individual), Kendall Haala (5th place individual)
There were 71 total individuals in the Milk Quality and Products competition. In this competition members detect defects in milk, identify dairy vs. nondairy products and milk fat contents, identify cheeses and their characteristics, rate CMT tests, take a knowledge test on milk marketing and production, and do a problem solving activity. The team will be advancing to state competition that will be held in April in the Twin Cities!
The Food Science Team also competed in Mountain Lake. They received 4th place out of 9 teams. Team members included: Lucia Martinez Paredes, Karly Wendinger, Arianna Guerra, and Maddy Goldschmidt. The Food Science Competition involves: an individual knowledge exam, food safety/sanitation practicum, customer inquiry response practicum, and math exam as well as team product development and presentation.