Region VIII FFA
2025-2026 Officer Team
Edward Winters
Region President
Howdy everyone! My name is Edward Winters, and I hail from the Zumbrota-Mazeppa FFA Chapter within Region Vlll! This year I will be continuing into my senior year of high school, with the privilege of also serving as my home chapter's President! I first joined FFA when I was a young 8th grader and have since taken many opportunities that have been given to me through this organization! Since joining FFA in 8th grade, I have participated in several different Career and Leadership Development Events, including Nursery and Landscaping, Best Informed Greenhand, Parliamentary Procedure, and Prepared Public Speaking! While also having the opportunity to compete in several different contests, I also have an active Supervised Agricultural Experience, or SAE, which makes up the last of the three-circle model within AG Education, which includes classroom, FFA, and SAE. I currently have three projects that are in the areas of Nursery Operations Placement, Beef Entrepreneurship, and Turf Grass Management. When I am not busy with FFA, you can find me doing several other activates, including trap shooting for school and 4-H, National Honor Society, and 4-H, where I participate in the beef and poultry projects, working, and being involved with my church! I hope to meet many of you in this upcoming year, and I am honored to serve as your 2025-2026 Region VIII President!
Region Vice President
Mattea Quigley
Hello hello! My name is Mattea Quigley, and I am from the Randolph FFA Chapter. This fall, I will be going into my senior year of high school, while also serving as my chapter's president. Becoming a part of FFA in 7th grade was one of the best choices I have made. I have built so many meaningful friendships, gained leadership skills, and have been blessed with memories that will last a lifetime! As for Career Development Events, I have competed in Dairy Evaluation, Dairy Handling, and Floriculture. I have had a few different SAEs but my most prominent one is Goat Production, where I maintain a herd of Boer Goats. Outside of FFA, I enjoy 4-H, Cross Country, Track and Field, Show Choir, National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, and Fellowship of Christian Athletes. You can also catch me in the barn helping with farm chores or exhibiting sheep, goats, and dairy cattle. I am so excited to meet you throughout this year and am very grateful to be a part of the 2025-2026 Region VIII Officer Team. Let's make this year a great one!
Ella Aarsvold
Region Secretary
Everett Schmeling
Region Treasurer
Olivia Vorpagel
Region Reporter
Hey guys!! My name is Olivia Vorpagel and I am from the Southland FFA Chapter. This fall I will be a Junior in high school while serving as my chapter's President. I have been an FFA member since 7th grade where I have been on Southland's General Livestock and Meats Judging Team. This spring I placed 1st in Ag Communications Placement Proficiency at State Convention and I'm eager to compete at the National level with that SAE. Outside of FFA, I am very involved in 4-H and NJSA (National Junior Swine Association) where I travel across the country and show pigs competitively throughout the year. I also started showing sheep 3 years ago and I am very involved in various leadership positions including the Mower County Advisory Board and the MN Youth Livestock Expo. I work part-time for Walton Webcasting, where I livestream and broadcast livestock shows and events. I also own a Navajo Pearl business, Big Ring Style. I am honored to have the opportunity to serve as your 2025-2026 Region VIII Reporter and cannot wait to make this year amazing with all of you!!!
Hector Villanueva
Region Sentinel
Hi, my name is Hector Villanueva.
I’m a proud first-generation Puerto Rican FFA member from Northfield, Minnesota. My FFA journey began during my sophomore year, right after our chapter was rechartered for the first time in 35 years. Since then, I’ve been all in. In my junior year, I served as my chapter’s Sentinel, and I took a leap to apply for Region Office—and here I am, pursuing my dream in agriculture!
I’m passionate about becoming a farm owner and operator. I currently raise and breed poultry, including ducks and chickens, and sell both eggs and birds. Beyond that, I have a strong interest in welding and mechanics—anything hands-on that keeps me learning.
Outside of FFA, I’m a wrestler, baseball player, snowboarder, and photographer—I love capturing everything from action shots to scenic views. You’ll also find me enjoying rodeos, county fairs, or just hanging out with friends. I’m a very social and talkative person, and if you ask me my favorite food? Definitely steak. My favorite animal? Goats, no question.
One of my biggest passions is making FFA accessible and welcoming to everyone. Agriculture isn’t just about farming—it touches every part of our lives, from the food we eat to the clothes we wear. No matter your background, experience, race, or religion, there’s a place for you in FFA. I believe the future of agriculture lies in breaking stereotypes and showing the world that everyone has a role to play.
Also… I love Ralph, the Region mascot. Just saying.
Dawson Sanford
Region Assistant Officer
Hello Region VIII, My name is Dawson Sanford from the Canon Falls FFA chapter, and I’m excited to be serving as one of your 2025-2026 Region VIII Assistant Officers! I’ll be a senior this fall at Cannon Falls high school . I’ve been involved in FFA since 8th grade. My favorite CDE is Milk Quality. I have also competed in Best Informed Greenhand, Ag mechanics, nursery landscape, and fish and wildlife. My SAE is in food safety, where I work at a local pizza shop. I currently serve as my chapter's secretary and lead as the Media Editor-in-Chief for my school newspaper. I am also a member of the Cannon Falls Golf team. Outside of FFA, I enjoy spending time on the golf course or with my two younger siblings and taking every opportunity to grow as a leader and support others. I’m looking forward to a great year full of connection, service, and success with all of you in Region VIII!
Gradyn Taylor
Region Assistant Officer
​Hello! My name is Gradyn Taylor and I come from the Randolph FFA chapter. This school year I will be a junior and our chapters secretary. I have been apart of FFA since 7th grade and have enjoyed every year! I have competed in creed speaking and poultry judging. My SAE is poultry placement, specifically I work on a turkey farm. Other than FFA I’m in 4H, National Honor Society, Cross Country, Track and Field, Choir and Band, Knowledge Bowl and Speech. You can see me at the Dakota county fair showing pigs and turkeys. I am looking forward to making connections and serving my region!
Ambra Andrist
Region Assistant Officer
Hi friends! My name is Ambra Andrist and I am from the Kasson-Mantorville FFA Chapter. This year I will be going into my senior year of high school, while serving as my chapter’s president. I joined FFA my freshman year of high school not knowing it was going to change my life for the better. As I started stepping my foot into the door I found my passion for FFA. That passion led me into participating in many Career and Leadership developing events, such as Floriculture, Dairy Evaluation Judging, and Farm Bureau Discussion Meet. Being a part of my chapters Floriculture team guided me to my SAE projects, which includes a Diversified Horticulture Placement, and a Floriculture Entrepreneurship. Outside of my FFA journey I enjoy racing dirtbikes, tending to my greenhouse, Big Brothers Big Sisters, and hanging out with my friends and family. I am beyond excited to see what the year brings to everyone, and I am so grateful to be serving as your 2025-2026 Region VIII Assistant Officer.
Erika Hollerud
Region Assistant Officer
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