WELLS — Five United South Central FFA members will travel to Indianapolis Monday to attend the national FFA convention.

USC FFA members Dustin Dylla, Hayden Feist, Jared Eilertson, Jake Knutson and David Stenzel were named finalists for their agricultural work/entrepreneurship based projects. Each of the five will be competing for top national honors along with three other finalists in specific award areas.

Each will be taking part in interviews conducted by agricultural industry professionals and scored based on their submitted applications and interviews. Each of the five were named Minnesota FFA Proficiency Award winners last spring.

The Agricultural Proficiency Awards honor FFA members who, through their supervised agricultural experiences, have developed specialized skills that they can apply towards their future careers. The awards recognize outstanding student achievement in agribusiness gained through establishment of a new business or working for and existing company or individual to gain hands-on career experience. There are 49 recognized award areas by the National FFA Organization that FFA members can participate in to develop valuable experience and leadership skills at the local, state and national levels.

The National FFA is a national youth organization of 540,379 student members as part of 7,489 local FFA chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. The FFA mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education. The National FFA Convention will be held in Indianapolis, Indiana from Wednesday through Saturday. The convention will be attended by more than 50,000 FFA members and agricultural industry leaders. The convention is held at the Indianapolis Convention Center, Banker’s Life Fieldhouse and Lucas Oil Stadium. The convention is broadcast live on RFDTV and on the Internet. The convention will be aired throughout the week starting Wednesday. The Proficiency Award Winners will be announced live on RFDTV on Friday, beginning at 2 p.m.

Dylla, son of Janet and Dan Dylla of Wells, is competing in the Turfgrass Management Placement area. His employment included working for his grandparents, parents, aunt and Schrader Enterprises. Dylla is currently a student at South Dakota State University in Brookings, S.D., majoring in agricultural education and agronomy.

Feist, son of Rick and Anne Feist of Wells, is competing in the Ag Mechanics Design & Fabrication Placement area. Feist’s employment included working for Herman Manufacturing and Pride Builder’s of Freeborn. Feist is currently a student at South Dakota State University in Brookings, S.D., majoring in agricultural systems technology.

Eilertson, son of Nancy and John Eilertson of Kiester, is competing in the Diversified Crop Production Entrepreneurship area. His business includes raising corn, soybeans and alfalfa. He also bales road ditches, sells hay and operates an ag commodities trucking business. Eilertson is currently a student at South Central College-Mankato pursuing a degree in agricultural production.

Stenzel, son of Steve and Julie Stenzel of Wells, is competing in the Forage Production Entrepreneurship area. Stenzel operates an alfalfa and ditch hay forage enterprise and sells his bales direct to customers. Stenzel is currently a senior at United South Central High School.

Knutson, son of Jim and Julie Knutson of Hartland, is competing in the Diversified Crop Production Placement area. Knutson’s employment includes working on his family’s corn and soybean farm. Knutson is currently a student at North Iowa Area College in Mason City, pursuing a degree in agriculture.