Wisconsin FFA and Wisconsin FFA Foundation 2019 Annual Report

WISCONSIN FFA AND WISCONSIN FFA FOUNDATION

90

YEARS OF WISCONSIN FFA

2019

ANNUAL REPORT

Message From Wisconsin FFA President

AMELIA HAYDEN What was happening in your life in June 2014? That was over five years ago now, and a lot has certainly changed in my life and yours since then. Yet, I remember what was happening in my life that month like it was yesterday.

I still think that it was one of the best moments ever. I walked into the Big Foot agriculture room and saw the box – it was wrapped in National FFA packing tape, so I knew it just had to be it. A few other students started opening the box and unpacking, passing the items out one by one. Finally, mine was pulled out. I stared at it, not wanting to undo the perfect folds in the corduroy. In my hands, I held a brand new FFA jacket. I unzipped it, pulled it on, and discovered quickly that corduroy is stiff! Even still, I think I could have slept in my FFA jacket that night – I was so happy to have it and that day has been forever etched in my memory.

FFA jackets have long been a symbol of our organization. They represent the traditions of hard work, service, and leadership which are intertwined in every thread. In 2019, we celebrated 90 years of Wisconsin FFA and 50 years of women in FFA. These milestones only were accomplished because of the work put forth by many individuals.

“Our Tradition. Our Future. Our Legacy.” The 2018-2019 State Officer Team chose this theme to represent a year of celebration, goal setting, and impact. Since the moment I put on my first jacket, I knew that being an FFA member meant I was a part of something bigger: to celebrate traditions, work toward a common future and create a shared legacy. Now I know that there is no one I’d rather create the legacy of Wisconsin FFA with than you.

Whether you’re wearing a corduroy jacket, have long since hung it up in the back of your closet, or never wore one, I want you to know this: when I put on my FFA jacket in June 2014, I thought there was no way I could ever love this organization more. Then I met you: the thousands of FFA members, alumni, teachers, sponsors, and community members I worked with as a Wisconsin FFA Officer. Turns out, my love for FFA grew a whole lot more. Thank you for showing me that there is no greater legacy than the one we create together – a legacy that is Ours.

With gratitude,

Amelia Hayden

Celebrating 50 years of Women in FFA In 1965, only 40 females were enrolled in agriculture education programs in Wisconsin. They still were not allowed to participate in FFA activities, but that all changed in 1969, when the first females donned the FFA’s blue and gold corduroy jackets.

Wisconsin FFA chapter numbers grew immensely through the 1970’s in large part of female membership.

Today, just over half of the state’s members are female.

Clara Hedrich was one of the first female instructors in the state, hired in 1978, and serving alongside only eight other female ag teachers. This year, nearly 60% of the state’s 324 ag instructors are female.

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The 1972 - 73 state officer team, with the first Wisconsin female state officer, Becky Miller.

Women in FFA continued to see success when in 1972, Becky Miller from Bloomer FFA was the first female State Officer serving as secretary. Amber Vickers Keller followed in those footsteps of “firsts” in 1989 when she became the first female state president.

In 1982 Cara Doyle became the first female National FFA Officer to hail from Wisconsin, followed by Jackie Mundt in 2004 and Alicia Hodnik in 2011.

Presidential Message

State Staff Jeff Hicken Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources Consultant, State FFA Advisor Wisconsin Association of FFA Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction

Cheryl Zimmerman Executive Director Wisconsin Association of FFA Wisconsin FFA Center, Inc.

John Hromyak Executive Director Wisconsin FFA Foundation, Inc.

DEAR WISCONSIN FFA SUPPORTERS, Our organization continues to thrive. The Wisconsin Association of FFA has more than 20,800 members statewide in 251 chapters, being taught and advised by 324 dedicated agricultural education instructors.

Those are big numbers, and combined, they share a unique vision of the years ahead for Wisconsin’s $104 billion agriculture industry. Our instructors and members know that technology moves faster than we could have ever imagined, that agricultural innovation takes place on and off the farm, and that hard work does make a difference.

What has allowed our organization to persevere through a tough agricultural climate is the enormously generous support from our Team Ag Ed organizations: Alumni volunteers, Foundation donors and WAAE educators. You are the reason for the successful students you’ll find in the following pages of our 2019 Annual Report.

The 2018-19 Wisconsin FFA theme picked by the state officer team was: “Our Tradition. Our Future. Our Legacy.”

When thinking about those Ag Ed organizations and people I know in them, as friends, colleagues and donors, it makes me so grateful we collaboratively understand what it means to carry on the FFA tradition, yet look to the future and then leave a legacy for those to come after us.

Thank you for continuing to sit around the table with us and know that the future of Wisconsin FFA depends on the tradition and legacy we share with the youth of today. If you’re reading this, someone shared those lessons with you once, which is why you care as much about the organization as I do. I can’t wait to see what Wisconsin FFA does next!

Jeff Hicken Wisconsin FFA Advisor State Staff

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Message From Board President

GINGER BRAML In the last campaign year, I had the honor to serve as Wisconsin FFA Foundation president.

That role may have only lasted a single year, but it was during a significant time when Wisconsin FFA celebrated a historic anniversary – 90 years of providing premier leadership, personal growth and career success opportunities through agricultural education.

FFA was important in my family while growing up, and a tradition my siblings and I had in common. My brother was in the final four at National Convention for his Wildlife Proficiency. My sister was a State Star finalist, served as a Wisconsin State FFA Officer and has since become a national award-winning ag teacher.

I never even made it onto the sectional stage for a speaking contest – to put it plainly, I am my family’s biggest “FFA underachiever!”

What I really am, though, is a great example of what this organization has done for its members for the last nine decades. FFA enabled me to learn new skills that opened doors to significant job experiences. I always was ahead of potential career colleagues because of the work ethic and values instilled from FFA. One question I get asked repeatedly is if I know of any good candidates to fill open positions. This too-common industry challenge is why I am so proud of what we do at the Wisconsin FFA Foundation. Your support quite literally invests in these students – the next generation to lead agriculture’s many sectors.

It’s no secret the agricultural economy has not been ideal the last few years. Organizations have had to make tough decisions in order to protect their bottom line. On behalf of Wisconsin FFA, I want to thank you all for trusting us with your investment: for viewing your donation as just that – a financial investment in our collective futures.

As you read about our state and national award winners, please also remember the other nearly 21,000 Wisconsin FFA members whom you have impacted. You will not be reading about them here, but they are developing the same skills, qualities and values that define Wisconsin FFA. They may be the “FFA underachiever” in their families, but also may change the world!

On behalf of the WI FFA Foundation Board of Directors, we thank you all for your generous donations and your support over the last year. We are proud to have served you, and look forward to seeing what each of these students wearing blue and gold corduroy can accomplish, the lives they will change, and the legacy they will continue to leave. Thank you!

Director of Business Administration, TASC

Jason Kollwelter · At-Large Director

Robin Connelly · Secretary

Agriculture Services and Customer Owned Generation Manager, We Energies

Membership Services Manager, Organic Valley/CROPP Cooperative

Jessie Kreke · At-Large Director

Kathleen A. Murphy · Treasurer

Janet Schneider · Development Committee Co-Chair AgEdNet.com manager, Stewart-Peterson Inc.

Nicole Wagner · Development Committee Co-Chair Executive Director, Wisconsin Corn Promotion Board and Wisconsin Corn Growers Association

Trever Athorp · At-Large Director Vice President, Agricultural & Business Banking, Investors Community Bank

FOUNDATION BOARD

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Tom Bressner · At-Large Director Executive Director, Wisconsin Agri-Business Association

Senior Marketing Manager, Culver Franchising System, LLC

Jesse Singerhouse · At-Large Director Manager of Administrative and Member Services, Dunn Energy Cooperative

Cheryl Zimmerman · Ex-Officio {Non-voting} Executive Director, Wisconsin FFA Center

Cheryl Steinbach · Ex-Officio {Non-voting} Executive Director, Wisconsin FFA Alumni Association

Nicole Nelson · Ex-Officio {Non-voting} Executive Director, Wisconsin Association of Agricultural Educators

Ginger Braml · President

Amber Vickers Keller · At-Large Director

Regional Accounts Manager, AgroChem

Senior Vice President – Ag Banking, Town Bank

Jeff Hicken · Ex-Officio

Jon Anderson · Past President

Joe Keller · At-Large Director

Vice President, Filament Marketing

President, Keller Farms

{Non-voting} Agriculture Education/Natural Resources Educational Consultant and State FFA Advisor Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction

Danielle Waterworth · Vice President

Luke Wiedenfeld · At-Large Director

Amelia Hayden · Ex-Officio

Director - Asset Remarketing & Leasing, CNH Industrial Capital

Teacher, Lake Mills High School

{Non-voting} President, Wisconsin Association of FFA

Foundation Board

STATE OFFICERS 2018-19 Photo: Front (left to right): Paige Nelson, Amelia Hayden, Jillian Tyler, Amber Patterson - Middle: Alexis Kwak, Sarah Calaway, Ashley Hagenow, Emily Kruse - Back: Mitchell Schroepfer, Collin Weltzien, Gaelan Combs

Amelia Hayden, President

Ashley Hagenow, Reporter

Big Foot FFA Advisors: Lisa Konkel

Section 6 - Rio FFA Advisor: Alexandria Cooper

Alexis Kwak, Vice President

Jillian Tyler, Vice President

Section 1 - Prairie Farm FFA Advisor: Courtney Deetz

Section 7 - Granton FFA Advisors: Cheryl Steinbach and Katie Reider

Paige Nelson, Secretary

Mitchell Schroepfer, Treasurer

Section 2 - Ellsworth FFA Advisor: Katie Christenson

Section 8 - Antigo FFA Advisor: Shalynn Domke

Collin Weltzien, Vice President

Sarah Calaway, Vice President

Section 3 - Arcadia FFA Advisors: Kevin Whalen & Steve Schank

Section 9 - Denmark FFA Advisors: Mary Handrich and Marty Nowak

Amber Patterson, Vice President

Emily Kruse, Parliamentarian

Section 4 - River Ridge FFA Advisor: Shea Esser

Section 10 - Elkhorn FFA Advisor: David Kruse

Gaelan Combs, Sentinel Section 5 - Verona FFA Advisors: Jamie Morris & Angie Midthun-Hensen State OfďŹ cers

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OUR TRADITION

FFA Motto: Learning to Do, Doing to Learn, Earning to Live, Living to Serve.

The FFA Motto embodies tradition through and through. “Learning to Do, Doing to Learn, Earning to Live and Living to Serve,” are words which have guided the National FFA Organization since the motto was adopted in 1952. Wisconsin industry leaders, agricultural educators, FFA Alumni and community members are still living these words out today, sharing their knowledge and wisdom with those who will carry the tradition of FFA forward to the next generation.

Learning to Do Jeanne Alling grew up in Section 1 and spent her career there too, where she jokes that she didn’t find it difficult being a female ag teacher, but being short! During her first Ashland FFA Alumni meeting, she says: “I also explained to an Alumni member that the road from Section 1 to Madison was the same

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distance as Madison to Section 1, and if we couldn’t go to a meeting because it was too far away, we would make it happen ourselves for our students.”

She worked with nearby advisors to start local conferences, encourage Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) projects, submit proficiency applications and begin research work by sharing hands-on learning opportunities with their students in the most Northwest area of Wisconsin.

“In the classroom, it was easy to tell students about different processes, but to actually have them set up research projects to find things out for themselves was very rewarding,” Jeanne says. “You could see their excitement!”

She’s seen tradition thrive in FFA as generations have received State and American FFA Degrees, advisors have stepped up to make an impact, and students in turn have led by example to do the same.

Jeanne believes that many service projects have given youth a feeling of belonging to their community, and this year, these traditions have continued by providing farmers a bag lunch in the field during such a challenging harvest. “FFA builds a tradition of values,” Jeanne adds. “Benjamin Franklin’s quote stresses the importance of learning to do: ‘Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn.’ ”

Doing to Learn Darlene Arneson says she’s seen firsthand the impact FFA has had on individual students, who have found their niche in ag education programs, through a chapter officer position or helping their advisor/teacher with various tasks. “The impact is self-confidence, self-esteem, career awareness and finding a place where they fit in and see their future,” says Arneson, who serves as the Wisconsin Farm Bureau’s Ag in the Classroom Coordinator and is an active Stoughton FFA Alumni member.

She believes practical application is core to many of the lessons FFA offers and reinforces classroom learning. In her 40 years of FFA involvement, Darlene says many changes have happened that have allowed students to learn by doing, through SAEs and expansion of Career Development Events (CDEs).

“It’s been rewarding to see FFA members succeed and then transition their SAE into a career,” she adds. “For many students, their time in an ag classroom and starting their SAE is the first opportunity to work outside of home chores. Learning how to be a good employee, developing work ethic, good work habits and other employability skills will help them the rest of their lives.”

Our Tradition

Earning to Live NASCO’s Chuck Miller says when he joined the Oshkosh West FFA, he immediately was surrounded by like-minded people who provided a sense of belonging and support.

“I believe that to live a successful and happy life, we all must find a way to be useful and add to society by our actions – whether through work, intellect or leadership,” Chuck says. “FFA instills these values in its members and did for me.”

Half of his career was spent in sales, which Chuck says he realized is simply the act of helping others, a mission he takes seriously. He credits his FFA advisor, John Porior, for seeing great potential in him: “He saw something in me that I didn’t know I had.”

The FFA organization provides hundreds of pathways for members to learn, contribute and achieve, Chuck says. He finds great joy in serving others, being of value and giving back to an organization which changed the trajectory of his life.

“Mr. Porior’s influence on my life reminds me to always take time to encourage, influence, lead and mentor others whenever I can,” he says. “One of my favorite quotes is: ‘If it is to be, it is up to me.’

I have advanced in life and my career by being willing to work and learn.”

Living to Serve “It has been a great pleasure for me to be involved in all levels of FFA and Alumni,” says Ken Natzke, past Bonduel ag teacher. Those that know Ken also know this servant’s heart beats blue and gold.

Ken says that while attending his first National FFA Conventions, he learned about a national leadership program available to FFA students. “It took a little convincing, but when others saw the impact youth could have in the classes, 100’s of students were able to participate,” he says. “What a tremendous impact it had on the students!”

Today, Ken loves seeing buses of students travel to the Washington Leadership Conference each year. He was inducted into the Wisconsin FFA Hall of Fame, and has generously supported the State Convention every June through a gift to the Foundation.

“Shy, bashful young boys and girls have become great communicators, community motivators and leaders – all which our communities need,” Ken adds. “This has been possible through the support of their ag teachers, FFA Alumni, Foundation supporters and many others who give youth opportunities to develop their skills. The sky is the limit!”

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OUR FUTURE

In October 2018, National FFA Organization CEO Mark Poeschl announced four pillars of focus for the future of FFA. The Wisconsin Association of FFA currently has 20,825 members in 251 chapters, led by 324 teachers/advisors. In our state, one of nine jobs is tied to agriculture, which creates more than 435,000 positions and a $104.8 billon impact to the economy.

As youth see the different options in agriculture, they begin to envision how they can be a part of it in the future.

“As youth see the different options in agriculture, they begin to envision how they can be a part of it in the future,” says Amy Penterman, Section 7 Officer for the Wisconsin FFA Alumni Association. “Many like the new technology and how it has grown with agriculture. I watch non-farm kids show great interest in animal agriculture. You don’t have to be born into farming to be a part of it.” The first pillar, inclusion and equity, hits on this point: making FFA a welcome place for students of all backgrounds.

Adam Wehling, dean of Agriculture, Energy and Transportation at Chippewa Valley Technical College in Eau Claire, realizes the benefit of this focus. He says employers are seeking trained individuals with a strong work ethic and understanding of agriculture. “While agriculture is very hungry to get more trained individuals into the workforce, so are a lot a of other areas which support the ag industry, such as: energy, construction, manufacturing and transportation, to name a few,” he adds.

Teacher Recruitment and Retention How is Wisconsin meeting these needs? The second of the four Pillars: Teacher Recruitment and Retention, is vital to this mission. Current ag educators Kimberly Dehn (Berlin High School) and Emma Huber (Tomah Middle School) are the Wisconsin Association of Agricultural Educators (WAAE) committee chairs heading these efforts.

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Our Future

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The group’s two main goals are to provide support and resources for people considering agricultural education as a career, and then come alongside current teachers to keep them engaged and fulfilled in their roles.

The Teach Ag Workshop held at State Convention each year allows prospective teachers to learn more about the role and what it means to be an FFA advisor. “We also communicate with UW-Platteville and UW-River Falls to stay up-todate on the number of students pursuing a degree in agricultural education,” the duo says.

In 2018, 20 graduated from the two programs, and 13 stayed in Wisconsin to teach agricultural classes. That enrollment number is looking to rise to 30 by the 2020/21 school year.

Most programs have multiple job offers for every graduate, so this tells you that technical skills gained in one to two years are highly valued by employers.

Looking at retention, the WAAE Teach Ag Thrives Program offers teachers 1:1 coaching for those desiring extra support in their work/life balance, Dehn and Huber explain. Through a Foundation Star Mission grant, the organization partners with a professional coach to work through any professional and sometimes personal struggles the teacher may have.

“Without a licensed agricultural educator, the school cannot have an FFA chapter,” they say.

“By providing potential and current teachers with resources, we hope to continue seeing the amount of ag educators increase.”

Advocacy and Ag Literacy In addition to serving the state Alumni, Penterman is involved with her local chapter in Thorp. The Thorp FFA recently held an Ag Day at Penterman’s family farm, inviting elementary students to learn about milk, farm safety, hoof trimming, cow anatomy, among other things. “Many Alumni chapters throughout the state support their FFA with greenhouses, maple syrup operations, buildings, and events like dairy breakfasts,” she says.

Ag advocacy and literacy, the third pillar for FFA’s future, is a passion of hers. It’s also vital to the world, as Penterman explains. Though farmers are

Our Future

less than 1% of the nation’s population, many rural communities exist for and depend on agriculture.

“The pride that comes from the youth is a great reward,” this ag advocate says. “They take ownership in what they do. Not only are students learning about agriculture, but they are teaching their peers. They are learning about a specific topic in FFA, receive leadership training, and then applying it to their lives.”

Leadership Development and Career Prep “Leadership development is not just someone speaking to a group of people – it’s leading by example, making the correct choices when others don’t, being the first to volunteer, ensuring something is done correctly, encouraging others, taking time to follow up, being a genuine individual, willing to take a risk, serving your community and helping others in need,” says Wehling. “These are things employers are seeking in young people.”

He says FFA offers vital opportunities to grow these types of leaders and, as an organization, is developing a “robust talent pipeline” that feeds technical colleges, universities and apprenticeships, but also the workforce industries which can deliver on-the-job training.

Wehling says that technical colleges in the state only offer programs for which jobs are available.

At CVTC, 95% of their graduates are employed within six months. “Most programs have multiple job offers for every graduate, so this tells you that technical skills gained in one to two years are highly valued by employers,” he says.

Without a licensed agricultural educator, the school cannot have an FFA chapter.

Area business partners say that graduates need both technical and soft skills, which is why Wehling believes FFA membership and agricultural courses truly provide a distinct advantage. “We all need to remember that today’s young people are all about relationships,” he adds, directing thoughts to employers. “If you are not connecting with your future employees, then you are invisible. Leverage an organization like the Wisconsin FFA to spread brand awareness and support youth.”

He concludes by encouraging FFA members to challenge themselves to take advantage of the opportunities FFA offers, which can make them a better person, provide career training, but also impact others and their greater community well into the future.

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OUR LEGACY

FFA Mission: FFA makes a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education.

The well-known FFA Mission of developing “premier leadership, personal growth and career success” is something members learn at the very beginning of their FFA career. As they grow in age, ability and knowledge, they begin to see those things exemplified in their own lives.

Three Foundation Blue and Gold Society members share how wearing the blue and gold corduroy jacket has grown them as leaders, in personal ways and influenced their career paths.

Premier Leadership “Looking back at my time as a state FFA officer in 1988-89 and president in 1989-90, I realize now it was indeed a pretty special time for me and other young women involved in FFA,” says Amber Vickers Keller, past Foundation Board president and senior vice president – Ag Banking at Town Bank.

Amber was the first female state president, and as we celebrated 50 years of women in FFA this year, the place she holds in history is meaningful to her, especially as she was born in 1969. She says new levels of success are possible through hard work, persistence and confidence, and credits FFA for giving her many opportunities to grow as a leader.

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She recalls her first chapter activity: a parliamentary procedure workshop, where she was the only freshman to attend. “In reality, it wasn’t that bad, but in my mind at that time, it was a big deal,” Amber notes. “I froze up during some of the exercises, mortified that I had embarrassed our team.”

This wasn’t the last time her nerves got the best of her, but she later competed at the state level for Creed, Prepared Speaking and Parliamentary Procedure. As an avid horse enthusiast, Amber says one of her favorite sayings is by John Wayne: “Courage is being scared to death and saddling up anyway.”

Courage is being scared to death and saddling up anyway.

“I guess that’s how I’ve tried to live my life, thanks in part to the FFA,” she says. “My trust in this great organization has led me to be a Foundation donor, volunteer at local and state levels for events and participate in local Alumni activities and leadership roles.”

Personal Growth Dr. Lou Arrington is well-known in the agricultural education family throughout Wisconsin and also served for many years on the Foundation Board.

He believes FFA provides a strong background for people in all areas of agriculture, and says that he wanted to become an Extension poultry specialist while still in high school. Lou originates from the East Coast and explains that his vocational-agriculture teacher had a tremendous impact on his life at that time, and what it became over the years.

“I received my bachelors, masters and then PhD at three different schools and interviewed for jobs at Washington State and Wisconsin,” Lou explains. “As a look back, the goal I had to be in Extension was the right thing. It fit my hopes and exposed me to a lot of good things.” His Wisconsin career path also exposed many others to his leadership and mentoring spirit, and built relationships Lou says he values to this day.

“Even though I was not specifically involved in teaching, I had connections with our students, tried to help them find information and talk to them about opportunities,” he says. “I like to think that my relationship with them through the Our Legacy

student clubs, or talking informally in the buildings, helped them somewhere along the way.”

Lou is honored that people consider him someone who has left a legacy, but says he always reminds young people to not overlook the contributions their parents made for them while growing up.

He says many don’t realize those things until they are well into their careers.

He’s been recognized on many levels, but doesn’t claim to be fully deserving or more deserving than others. “There are a lot of people who contribute to the preparation of our youth,” Lou says. “It goes back, again, to recognizing that parents, neighbors, friends and other people at schools have all formed their future.”

Career Success Dr. Rick Daluge, another past Foundation board member, says he first joined FFA in 1966 when Bernie Staller came to teach agriculture at Janesville High School.

“Little did I realize this teacher would become a mentor for me and 50 years later, I still would be working with him on various things,” Rick says. He attended UW-Madison and then spent the majority of his career there in the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (CALS). He was a director of Career Services and then served 25 years as director of the Farm and Industry Short Course.

Rick was strongly involved with Collegiate FFA, managed the State FFA Career Development Events contest for 25 years and says that the majority of students he worked with were involved in the organization on some level. He even attended about 20 National FFA Career Shows to recruit students to the university agriculture programs.

“My career has been entwined with FFA from start to finish,” Rick says, who adds that his roles have given him a broader view of agriculture and leadership.

“The various FFA speaking contests helped me immensely and dairy judging taught me how to make decisions and justify them,” he adds. “I also learned that rewards require hard work – nothing comes without an effort.”

Rick and his wife, Peggy, have been generous givers to Wisconsin FFA, an organization they say has been important to his career success and deserving of a long-term investment. “We now operate a travel company, Daluge Travel, and reinvest any profits into 4-H and FFA programs,” Rick concludes. “We continue to annually support FFA because we believe that youth are our future.”

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Jeremy Schlies | Denmark FFA Jeremy was raised on his family’s dairy farm where they raise 5HJLVWHUHG +ROVWHLQV $W \HDUV RI DJH KH UHFHLYHG KLV YHU\ RZQ 5HJLVWHUHG +ROVWHLQ FDOI 1RZ KH ZRUNV VLGH E\ VLGH ZLWK KLV IDWKHU to handle the daily tasks and decision making of the operation.

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STAR in AGRICULTURAL PLACEMENT 12

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PROFICIENCY AWARD WINNERS Agricultural Communications Delanie G. Senn | Beaver Dam FFA Sponsor: Filament Marketing Agricultural Education Bryn L. Rohde | Badger FFA Sponsor: Clarence A. and Caroline L. Strohschein Endowment, GROWMARK Inc. and The Country Today Ag Mechanics Design & Fabrication Joseph A. Pulver | Randolph Cambria-Friesland FFA Sponsor: Wisconsin Public Service Ag. Mechanics Repair & Maintenance (E) Garret K. Karweick | Seymour FFA Sponsor: Lulich Auction Ag. Mechanics Repair & Maintenance (P) Kyle J. Loehrke | Weyauwega -Fremont FFA Sponsor: Sloan Implement Company, Inc Agricultural Processing Alicia A. Baroun | De Pere FFA Sponsor: Wisconsin Public Service

Beef Production (P) Lauren M. Dykes | Weyauwega -Fremont FFA Sponsor: American Foods Group

Forage Production Dillin R. Schulz | Randolph Cambria-Friesland FFA Sponsor: Kuhn North America, Inc.

Dairy Production (E) Colin R. Wussow | Bonduel FFA Sponsor: United Animal Health

Forest Management Tyler T. Gardner | Pittsville FFA Sponsor: Wisconsin Public Service

Dairy Production (P) Brooks A. Mitchell | Hillsboro FFA Sponsor: Four Hands Holsteins, Inc. & Lely North America Diversified Agricultural Production Anne C. Runde | Janesville Craig FFA Sponsor: Wisconsin Public Service Diversified Crop Production (P) Kyle Paulson | Columbus FFA Sponsor: OXBO International Corporation Diversified Horticulture Jeremy W. Hoekstra | Randolph Cambria-Friesland FFA Sponsor: Amherst FFA Alumni

Agricultural Sales (E) Zachary S. Woodworth | Shullsburg FFA Sponsor: Wyffels Hybrids

Diversified Livestock Sarah E. Albers | Sauk Prairie FFA Sponsor: Equity Cooperative Livestock Sales Association and Johnsonville Sausage, LLC

Agricultural Sales (P) Katie Koeppel | Mishicot FFA Sponsor: Direct Enterprises, Inc.

Equine Science (E) Niamh A. Sexton | Waupaca FFA Sponsor: Marshfield FFA Alumni

Agricultural Services Kyle G. Propson | Denmark FFA Sponsor: Dairyland Seed Co. Inc.

Equine Science (P) Dara H. Stichert | Marshfield FFA Sponsor: Edward J. Okray Foundation, Inc.

Agriscience ResearchAnimal Systems Madison M. Russell | Shullsburg FFA Sponsor: Wisconsin Public Service

Fiber and Oil Crop Production Ethan T. Hamann | Randolph Cambria-Friesland FFA Sponsor: GROWMARK, Inc.

Agriscience Research-Plant Systems Reagan R. Russell | Shullsburg FFA Sponsor: Clinton FFA Alumni Beef Production (E) Brooke Welke | Osseo-Fairchild FFA Sponsor: Bio-Vet Inc., Nasco and Wisconsin Cattlemen’s Association

State Awards

Food Science & Technology Kendra Preissner | Kiel FFA Sponsor: Seneca Foods Corporation Food Service Abigail M. Voss | Mauston FFA Sponsor: Section 8 FFA Alumni Affiliates

Fruit Production Rhiannon F. Reimer | Granton FFA Sponsor: MinnTex Citrus, Inc. - Iowa Goat Production Everlah A. Riley | Waupaca FFA Sponsor: LaClare Farms Grain Production (E) Seth J. Cupery | Randolph Cambria-Friesland FFA Sponsor: Kuhl Equipment, LLC Grain Production (P) Tyler J. Heine | Jefferson FFA Sponsor: Wisconsin Corn Growers Association Home and/or Community Development Katelyn J. Loehrke | Weyauwega -Fremont FFA Sponsor: Mr. James Grasee and Mrs. Mary Handrich Grasee, Glenn L. and Sonja Linder Endowment and United Cooperative Landscape Management Tristan M. Massie | Barron FFA Sponsor: Lulich Landscaping Nursery Operations Colton C. Wegener | Manawa FFA Sponsor: Wisconsin Public Service Organic Agriculture Jeremiah R. Ihm | Lancaster FFA Sponsor: Organic Valley/ CROPP Cooperative, Inc. Outdoor Recreation Alexis Luedtke | Beaver Dam FFA Sponsor: Denmark FFA Alumni Poultry Production Brenton L. Wardall | Weyauwega-Fremont FFA Sponsor: Louis & Sandra Arrington Endowment, Pilgrim’s and Wallace H. Jerome Endowment

Sheep Production Jacquelyn E. Rosenbush | Spooner FFA Sponsor: Big Sky Suffolks, Waupaca FFA Chapter and Alumni and Wisconsin Sheep Breeders Cooperative Small Animal Production & Care Hailey E. Hendrickson | Randolph Cambria-Friesland FFA Sponsor: MAI Animal Health Specialty Animal Production Shane Lapen | Beaver Dam FFA Sponsor: Wisconsin Public Service Specialty Crop Production Makayla Konkol | Amherst FFA Sponsor: Chippewa Valley Bean Swine Production (E) Carson D. Lobdell | Darlington FFA Sponsor: Wisconsin Pork Association Swine Production (P) Travis J. Von Haden | Tomah FFA Sponsor: Wisconsin FFA Foundation Annual Fund Turf Grass Management Olivia M. Davis | Sauk Prairie FFA Sponsor: Fennimore FFA Alumni Vegetable Production Levi H. Alsum | Randolph Cambria-Friesland FFA Sponsor: Gumz Farms & McCain Foods, Inc. Veterinary Science Sara M. Heisner | Mineral Point FFA Sponsor: Wisconsin Veterinary Medical Association Wildlife Production and Management Kayla M. Reed | Pulaski FFA Sponsor: Kenneth and Joyce Natzke, and Richard and Sue Schultz

13

AGRISCIENCE A GRISCIENCE FAIR FAIR WINNERS WINNERS Sponsored by Wisconsin FFA Foundation State Convention Partners Animal Systems Division 1

Hailey Reed | New Auburn FFA Division 2

Katie Reimer & Abigail Sykora | New Auburn FFA Division 3

Alexandra Nowak | Denmark FFA Division 4

Caroline Ott & Kyla Dewick | Wrightstown FFA Division 5

Melissa Konkel | Big Foot FFA Division 6

Olivia Peterson & Bryce Peterson | Big Foot FFA

Environmental Services/ Natural Resource Systems Division 1

Megan Schultz | Adams-Friendship FFA

Division 3

Izzi Mason | Cashton FFA

Plant Systems Division 1

Division 4

Clare Viau | Stevens Point FFA

Jackson Skaw & Schellbi Phernetton | New Auburn FFA

Division 2

Division 5

Kayla Reed | Pulaski FFA

Food Products and Processing Systems Division 1

Erin Perry | Tomah FFA

Autumn Palmer & Hadly Skaw | New Auburn FFA Division 3

Amanda Bender | Big Foot FFA Division 4

Caleb Gotham & Wyatt Gotham | New Auburn FFA Division 5

Division 2

Danica Nowak & Emma Phillips | Denmark FFA

Savannah Harshman | New Auburn FFA Division 6

Division 3

Kaelyn Sumner | Pulaski FFA Division 5

Emily Dahlke | Adams-Friendship FFA Division 6

Brayden Hahn & Kelli Sager | New London FFA

Trinity Foster & Lexi Voigt | Wausau FFA

Division 3

Carter Schick | New Auburn FFA Division 5

Connor Esch | Union Grove FFA

Social Systems Division 1

Ella Woodworth | Shullsburg FFA Division 2

Cole Pederson & Jaidyn Simmons | New Auburn FFA Division 3

Madison Russell | Shullsburg FFA Division 5

Reagan Russell | Shullsburg FFA Division 6

Savannah Bartelt & Jacqueline Wisinski | Stevens Point FFA

Power, Structural and Technical Systems Division 2

Evelyn Cody & Aliya North | New Auburn FFA

LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT EVENT WINNERS Conduct of Meetings Shullsburg FFA Sponsored by Wisconsin FFA Foundation Annual Fund

Creed Speaking Kelly Herness Whitehall FFA Sponsored by Kevin & Julie Larson Family & Elkhorn FFA Alumni

Discussion Meet Cheyenne Borgess Shullsburg FFA

Extemporaneous Speaking Hailey Clausen Amery FFA

Sponsored by Wisconsin Farm Bureau Foundation

Sponsored by Wisconsin Dekalb Asgrow Sales Team

Employment Skills Jackie Rosenbush Spooner FFA

Jr. High Essay Olivia Peterson Portage FFA

Sponsored by Kuhn North America

Sponsored by Wisconsin FFA Foundation Annual Fund

Parliamentary Procedure Denmark FFA Sponsored by Havens Endowment

Prepared Speaking Ben Styer Menomonie FFA Sponsored by Adams-Columbia Electric Coop, BMO Harris Bank & Mary & James Weber

Quiz Bowl - Jr. High Stevens Point FFA Sponsored by Compeer Financial

P.R.I.D.E. AWARD RECIPIENTS (Promote, Recruit, Inspire, Develop, and Educate) Abbotsford Antigo Beaver Dam Badger Berlin Black River Falls Bloomer Brodhead Cashton Cochrane-Fountain City Colby Coleman Cumberland De Soto DeForest Durand Arkansaw East Troy Elkhorn Evansville Flambeau

14

Freedom Green Bay Southwest Hillsboro Jefferson Laconia Lake Mills Lincoln - ACHM Luck Markesan Melrose-Mindoro Merrill Mondovi Monroe Monticello New Glarus Oshkosh North Oshkosh West Pardeeville Parkview

Portage Poynette Randolph Cambria- Friesland Reedsville Richland Center Rio Ripon Rosholt Slinger Sun Prairie Thorp Union Grove Unity Viroqua Waterford West De Pere Weston Whitewater Wisconsin Heights

State Awards

POST-SECONDARY SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS Sarah Albers Sauk Prairie FFA

Jaden Henneman Whitewater FFA

Jared Mack Sauk Prairie FFA

Dara Stichert Marshfield FFA

Wisconsin Agri-Business Association

Roundy’s

Louis M. Sasman of the Kiwanis Club of Downtown Madison Endowment

Kenneth K. Heideman Endowment

Lindsey Augustine Ellsworth FFA

Hunter Huschitt Monroe FFA

ConAgra Brands

Wisconsin Electric Cooperative Association

Andrew Boschert Beaver Dam FFA Star Blends

Kylee Burdick Rice Lake FFA GROWMARK

Eryn Butzin Waupaca FFA Wisconsin Rural Opportunities Foundation

Seth Cupery Randolf Cambria-Friesland FFA

Noah Massie Barron FFA Emily Powell Brookwood FFA

Dr. Gordon J Iverson Endowment

Harold & Geneva Beals Endowment

Colton Klecker Lake Mills FFA

Jacquelyn Rosenbush Spooner FFA

Wisconsin Rural Opportunities Foundation

Wisconsin Agri-Business Association

Arnold & Katherine Cordes Endowment

Matthew Ryherd Reedsburg FFA Joseph Schlies Denmark FFA

Anna Lucht Whitewater FFA

ANIMART

Colten De Jager Randolf Cambria Friesland FFA

Equity Cooperative Livestock Sales Assoc.

Alexis Schultz Lake Mills FFA

Amelia Hayden Big Foot FFA

Teagan Turba New Holstein FFA Kenneth K. Heideman Endowment

Grant Urban Marshfield FFA Kenneth K. Heideman Endowment

Collin Weltzien Arcadia FFA Matthew D. Anderson Endowment

Roundy’s

Wisconsin Agri-Business Association

WPS Farm Show Food Vendors

Wisconsin Agri-Business Association

Blain’s Farm and Fleet

Blake Johnson Gale-Ettrick-Trempealeau FFA

Abigail Kucken Fort Atkinson FFA

Brandon Strupp Hartford FFA

Jodie Weyland Winneconne FFA GROWMARK

Colin Wussow Bonduel FFA Lee Foundation / Agri-View

Badger State Ethanol

Alexis Luedtke Beaver Dam FFA ANIMART

Blain’s Farm and Fleet

Emily Sheen Badger FFA

Ryenne Zee Marshfield FFA Kenneth K. Heideman Endowment

Equity Cooperative Livestock Sales Assoc.

NATIONAL CHAPTER AWARDS Sponsored by Wisconsin FFA Foundation Convention Partners First Place | Denmark FFA Second Place | Waupaca FFA Third Place | Prairie Farm FFA Building Communities | Waupaca FFA Food for America | Waupaca FFA Growing Leaders | Denmark FFA Strengthening Agriculture | Denmark FFA Scrapbook Competition: Traditional | Gilman FFA Digital | River Valley FFA

Gold Chapters, Advanced to Nationals: Adams-Friendship Badger Beaver Dam Big Foot Cochrane-Fountain City Columbus Denmark Freedom Granton Lodi Manawa Prairie Farm Sauk Prairie

Shullsburg Spooner Stanley-Boyd Stevens Point Thorp Tomah Verona Waupaca Waupun Weyauwega-Fremont Whitehall Winneconne

MEMBERSHIP GROWTH AWARDS Overall State Winner for Increase in Membership:

Largest Percent School Membership:

Portage (+102 Members)

Lomira, 29.8%

Largest Percent Increase:

Largest Chapter:

Union Grove, 270 % Increase

Waupun, 438 members

State Awards

15

CAREER DEVELOPMENT EVENT WINNERS Agricultural Communications

Horse Evaluation

Shullsburg FFA Top Individual: Cheyenne Burgess | Shullsburg FFA

Plymouth FFA Top Individual: Lexy Nowak | Denmark FFA

Sponsored by United Cooperative

Sponsored by The Country Today

Agricultural Issues

Land Judging

Shullsburg FFA Sponsored by WI National Farmers Organization

Agricultural Sales Pardeeville FFA Top Individual: Natalie Farrington | Pardeeville FFA Sponsored by Star Blends & Wyffels Hybrids

Agricultural Technology & Mechanic Systems Waupun FFA Top Individual: Mitchell Geary | Kickapoo FFA

Shullsburg FFA Top Individual: Madison Russell | Shullsburg FFA Sponsored by Wisconsin FFA Foundation Annual Fund

Livestock Evaluation Menomonie FFA Top Individual: Kailen Smerchek | Rosholt FFA Sponsored by Wisconsin FFA Foundation Annual Fund

Marketing Plan Shullsburg FFA

Sponsored by United Cooperative

Sponsored by Duffy Grain, Inc.

Agronomy

Meat Evaluation & Technology

Lancaster FFA Top Individual: Matthew Ludtke | Laconia FFA

Jefferson FFA Top Individual: Samantha Rake | Lodi FFA

Sponsored by United Cooperative

Sponsored by Wisconsin Association of Meat Processors & Tom & Jesi Betley

Dairy Cattle Handlers Activity

Milk Quality & Products

Payton Van Schyndle | Cuba City FFA Sponsored by FarmFirst Dairy Cooperative

Dairy Cattle Management & Evaluation Amery FFA Top Individual: Benjamin Styler | Menomonie FFA Sponsored by Association of Milk Producers, Inc.

Environmental & Natural Resources Pulaski FFA

Kiel FFA Top Individual: Claire Sipple | Denmark FFA Sponsored by Foremost Farms USA

Nursery / Landscape Oconto Falls FFA Top Individual: Savanna Seidl | Oconto Falls FFA Sponsored by Wisconsin FFA Foundation Annual Fund

Sponsored by Wisconsin FFA Foundation Annual Fund

Poultry Evaluation

Farm Business Management

Brillion FFA Top Individual: Michelle Stangler | Watertown FFA

Wrightstown FFA Top Individual: Camden Schultz | Lake Mills FFA Sponsored by GROWMARK, Inc

Floriculture Osceola FFA Top Individual: Rachel Nelson | Osceola FFA Sponsored by Wisconsin FFA Foundation Annual Fund

Food Science & Technology Chippewa Falls FFA Top Individual: Addie Paskert | Thorp FFA Sponsored by Brakebush Brothers, Inc.

Forestry

Sponsored by WI Poultry & Egg Industries Association

Safe Tractor Operator Colton Klecker | Lake Mills FFA Sponsored by State Convention Partners

Veterinary Science Shawano FFA Top Individual: Shyleigh Iveland | Rice Lake FFA Sponsored by Clinton FFA Alumni

Wildlife Pulaski FFA Top Individual: Sophia Sperduto | Pulaski FFA Sponsored by Wisconsin FFA Foundation Annual Fund

MarshďŹ eld FFA Top Individual: Ryan Pilgrim | Cadott FFA Sponsored by Midwest STIHL

16

State Awards

SUPERVISED AGRICULTURAL EXPERIENCE GRANTS Aquaculture

Livestock

Sponsored by Wisconsin Aquaculture Association

Sponsored by Andis Foundation & Equity Cooperative Livestock Sales Association

Noah Hughes | New Richmond FFA

Kylee Sebranek | River Valley FFA Brent King | Ellsworth FFA Trevor Messmer | Lake Mills FFA Alexandra Nowak | Denmark FFA Emily Strauss | Lake Mills FFA LilyAnn Tomashek | Pulaski FFA

Dairy Sponsored by Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin, Saputo Cheese USA Inc, Foremost Farms USA, We Energies, Nasco & Dairy Business Association

Whitney Clason | Albany FFA Kristi Cleven | Brookwood FFA Jarrett Foster | Montello FFA Hunter Holewinski | Pulaski FFA Landon Holewinski | Pulaski FFA Elena Jarvey | Pulaski FFA Kaitlyn Lietzke | Stevens Point FFA Jonathan Linzmeier | Auburndale FFA Anna Olson | Southern Door FFA Zach Olson | Southern Door FFA Rachel Pankratz | Auburndale FFA Randy Winch | Fennimore FFA Welsey Winch | Fennimore FFA

Organic Agriculture Sponsored by Organic Valley / CROPP Cooperative Inc & Viroqua Food Co-op

Jessica Bahr | Randolph Cambria-Friesland FFA

Start-Up Sponsored by BlueScope Buildings, Andis Foundation & Sartori

Cassidy Dahlke | Bay Port FFA Austin Frese | Thorp FFA Reed Peter | Brillion FFA Anna Seifert | Plymouth FFA Mariah Thill | Turtle Lake FFA Macy Williams | Randolph Cambria-Friesland FFA

Grain Production Sponsored by Wisconsin Corn Growers Association

Ethan Hamann | Randolph Cambria-Friesland FFA Owen Jones | Randolph Cambria-Friesland FFA

State Awards

17

NATIONAL AWARDS

:,6&216,1 ))$ $0(5,&$1 STAR FINALIST American Star in Agriscience Finalist Amelia Hayden | Big Foot FFA $PHOLD +D\GHQ ZDQWHG WR VWDUW DQ DJULVFLHQFH VXSHUYLVHG DJULFXOWXUDO H[SHULHQFH 6$( DIWHU WDNLQJ KHU ¿UVW DJ FODVV LQ KLJK VFKRRO D GHFLVLRQ WKDW ZRXOG ODWHU OHDG KHU WR FRPSHWH LQ WKH 1DWLRQDO $JULVFLHQFH )DLU WKUHH WLPHV DQG FKRRVH PLFURELRORJ\ DV KHU FROOHJLDWH DUHD RI VWXG\ As a member of the Big Foot FFA Chapter, Amelia developed research on several topics ZLWKLQ WKH VFRSH RI QXWULWLRQ 2QH RI KHU ¿UVW H[SHULPHQWV REVHUYHG KRZ FLQQDPDOGHK\GH D FRPSRXQG IRXQG LQ FLQQDPRQ EDUN DIIHFWV FHOO JURZWK ,Q DQRWKHU VWXG\ VKH ORRNHG DW JHQHWLF IDPLOLDULW\ LQ GLIIHUHQW ¿VK VSHFLHV )RU KHU MXQLRU \HDU RI KLJK VFKRRO VKH VZLWFKHG UHVHDUFK WUDFNV DQG UHVHDUFKHG SHDQXW DOOHUJLHV $PHOLD¶V P\ULDG RI UHVHDUFK RSSRUWXQLWLHV OHG KHU WR VWXG\ PLFURELRORJ\ DW 8: Madison, where she is also involved in a laboratory that researches if tannins can prevent colon cell damage.

18

National Awards

352),&,(1&< $:$5' :,11(56 Equine Science â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Entrepreneurship Niamh Sexton | Waupaca FFA Niamh Sexton has a passion for horses that began at a YHU\ \RXQJ DJH EHJLQQLQJ WR ULGH KRUVHV DW WKH DJH RI WZR 6KH DFTXLUHG KHU ¿UVW KRUVH ZKHQ VKH ZDV ¿YH \HDUV ROG D &RE 3RQ\ QDPHG 0RRQ 7RGD\ D PHPEHU RI WKH :DXSDFD ))$ 1LDPK RZQV WKUHH TXDUWHU KRUVH JHOGLQJV DQG LV DFWLYH LQ PDQ\ HTXLQH FOXEV DQG JURXSV

Vegetable Production â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Entrepreneurship/Placement Levi Alsum | Randolph Cambria-Friesland FFA /HYL $OVXP RI WKH 5DQGROSK &DPEULD )ULHVODQG ))$ ZRUNV IRU KLV IDPLO\¶V RSHUDWLRQ VXSSO\LQJ IUHVK VZHHW FRUQ DQG RWKHU IUXLWV DQG YHJHWDEOHV WR FXVWRPHUV ZLWKLQ D PLOH UDGLXV 7KH IDUP FRYHUV DFUHV /HYL DQG KLV EURWKHU operate a roadside stand where they sell tomatoes, peppers, VZHHW FRUQ SXPSNLQV FXFXPEHUV DQG RWKHU YHJHWDEOHV

Wildlife Production and Management â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Entrepreneurship/Placement Kayla Reed | Pulaski Kayla Reed started helping her dad monitor lake water by FROOHFWLQJ VDPSOHV IRU WKH &LWL]HQV /DNH 0RQLWRULQJ 1HWZRUN ZKHQ VKH ZDV LQ WKH VHYHQWK JUDGH 6LQFH WKHQ WKLV 3XODVNL ))$ PHPEHU KDV WDNHQ RQ PRUH HQGHDYRUV LQ WKH SUR¿FLHQF\ DUHD LQFOXGLQJ ZRUNLQJ RQ D EXOOKHDG GLHW VWXG\ DQG D MXYHQLOH ZDOOH\H JURZWK VWXG\ .D\OD DOVR KDV FUHDWHG D VPDOO ZLOGOLIH food plot in her backyard.

National Career Development Events (CDE) Marketing Plan | First Place Winner Shullsburg FFA | Madison Russell, Brookyn Strang, Zachary Woodworth )RU WKHLU PDUNHWLQJ SODQ 6KXOOVEXUJ ))$ PHPEHUV ZRUNHG ZLWK ,OD 5RVH D QHZ Ã&#x20AC;RUDO VKRS LQ 6KXOOVEXUJ 7KH\ FRQGXFWHG SULPDU\ UHVHDUFK RQ FRQVXPHUV LQ WKH DUHD DQG GHYHORSHG D SODQ WR PDUNHW D Ã&#x20AC;RUDO VXEVFULSWLRQ VHUYLFH 0HPEHUV ZURWH DQG GLVWULEXWHG VXUYH\V DQG XVHG WKDW LQIRUPDWLRQ DV WKH EDVLV RI WKH SODQ $IWHU SXWWLQJ WKH SODQ WRJHWKHU WKLV LQFOXGHG PDUNHWLQJ VWUDWHJLHV DQG EXGJHWV PHPEHUV ZRUNHG RQ SUHSDULQJ D SUHVHQWDWLRQ DQG DQVZHULQJ TXHVWLRQV 7HDP members developed strategies after working with other local marketing professionals.

National Awards

19

HONORED ADULTS

HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES Ken Natzke .HQ 1DW]NH KDV VWURQJ URRWV LQ DJULFXOWXUH DQG WKH ))$ RUJDQL]DWLRQ DV D GDLU\ IDUPHU IRU QHDUO\ \HDUV +H DWWHQGHG %RQGXHO DQG 6H\PRXU +LJK 6FKRRO ZKHUH KH ZDV ¿UVW LQWURGXFHG WR WKH ))$ RUJDQL]DWLRQ +LV LQGRFWULQDWHG ORYH IRU DJULFXOWXUH DQG WKH ))$ RIWHQ ¿QGV KLP HQFRXUDJLQJ WHDFKHUV DQG DGYLVRUV DV ZHOO DV SXVKLQJ ))$ SDUHQWV DQG SDVW ))$ PHPEHUV WR JHW LQYROYHG LQ ))$ $OXPQL DFWLYLWLHV +LV SDVVLRQ IRU ))$ KHOSHG OHDG WKH %RQGXHO ))$ $OXPQL WR EHFRPH RQH RI WKH WRS DI¿OLDWHV LQ WKH QDWLRQ .HQ DOVR VKDUHG KLV HQWKXVLDVP RI ))$ E\ VHUYLQJ DV WKH :LVFRQVLQ ))$ $OXPQL $VVRFLDWLRQ 3UHVLGHQW WKH 1DWLRQDO ))$ $OXPQL $VVRFLDWLRQ 3UHVLGHQW 1DWLRQDO ))$ 6SRQVRUV %RDUG 0HPEHU 1DWLRQDO ))$ $OXPQL 6FKRODUVKLS $XFWLRQ &KDLUPDQ DQG FKDLUPDQ RI WKH 6WDWH ))$ $OXPQL &RQYHQWLRQ $XFWLRQ Jerry Sherwin -HUU\ 6KHUZLQ DWWHQGHG WKHQ NQRZQ DV :LVFRQVLQ 6WDWH 8QLYHUVLW\ 3ODWWHYLOOH UHFHLYLQJ ERWK D EDFKHORU DQG PDVWHUV GHJUHH LQ $JULFXOWXUH (GXFDWLRQ +H WDXJKW IRU \HDUV ± WKUHH \HDUV DW 3RWRVL +LJK 6FKRRO DQG \HDUV DW &XED &LW\ -HUU\ DQG WKH VWXGHQWV KH WDXJKW EDQNHG PDQ\ PHPRULHV GXULQJ KLV WHQXUH DV KH KDG QXPHURXV SUR¿FLHQF\ VSHDNLQJ FRQWHVW EDQG DQG FKRUXV SDUWLFLSDQWV DQG KH FRDFKHG VWDWH ZLQQLQJ MXGJLQJ WHDPV LQFOXGLQJ WKH 1DWLRQDO &KDPSLRQ /DQG -XGJLQJ 7HDP LQ -HUU\ WRRN JUHDW SULGH LQ KLV ODQG MXGJLQJ WHDPV DQG KH JDYH EDFN WR RWKHUV E\ UHYLVLQJ WKH ODQG MXGJLQJ VFRUHFDUG DQG PDQXDO WKDW LV UHIHUHQFH E\ many.

Jerry Wendt -HUU\ :HQGW JUHZ XS RQ D GDLU\ YHJHWDEOH DQG FURS IDUP ,Q KH JUDGXDWHG IURP 8: ± 5LYHU )DOOV ZLWK D GHJUHH LQ $JULFXOWXUH (GXFDWLRQ )RU D WRWDO RI \HDUV KH WDXJKW DJULFXOWXUH ± QLQH \HDUV DW .LHO DQG \HDUV DW 6WRXJKWRQ -HUU\ UHFHLYHG WKH .RKO )HOORZVKLS 3URJUDP 2XWVWDQGLQJ 7HDFKHU DZDUG IRU KLV WHDFKLQJ H[FHOOHQFH DQG LQQRYDWLRQ DQG UHSUHVHQWHG :LVFRQVLQ DW WKH 1DWLRQDO $TXDFXOWXUH 6HPLQDU WKH 1DWLRQDO (QWUHSUHQHXULDO WDVN IRUFH DQG WKH 1DWLRQDO /RFDO 3URJUDP 6XFFHVV &RQIHUHQFH 7R IXUWKHU WKH PLVVLRQ RI DJULFXOWXUH HGXFDWLRQ KH VXSHUYLVHG QLQH VWXGHQW WHDFKHUV DQG VHUYHG DV D :$$( RI¿FHU IRU \HDUV

20

Honored Adults

VIP AWARD RECIPIENTS Mike Austin

Gordie Gasch

0LNH $XVWLQ ZDV D IDUP EURDGFDVWHU IRU \HDUV RI ZKLFK \HDUV KH VKDUHG DJULFXOWXUDO UHSRUWV RQ :7$4 LQ *UHHQ %D\ +H KDV DWWHQGHG Wisconsin FFA Conventions, served as the emcee for American and State FFA Degree ceremonies, HYDOXDWHG VWDWH DQG QDWLRQDO ))$ RI¿FHU FDQGLGDWHV DQG PRVW HQMR\DEOH WR KLP LQWHUYLHZHG KXQGUHGV RI ))$ PHPEHUV 0LNH KDV PDQ\ ))$ PHPRULHV EXW KLV IRQGHVW LV RI D VK\ \RXQJ PDQ ZKR JUHZ WKURXJK KLV ))$ H[SHULHQFHV UHFHLYHG KLV $PHULFDQ ))$ 'HJUHH KHOSHG RUJDQL]H KLV ORFDO ))$ $OXPQL FKDSWHU DQG QRZ DVVLVWV ORFDO ))$ PHPEHUV ZLWK WKHLU MRXUQH\

*RUGLH *DVFK ZDV DQ ))$ PHPEHU DW &KLOWRQ +LJK School where he won two state CDE contests and earned gold at nationals. In 1969 he was elected secretary of the Wisconsin FFA and served as a GHOHJDWH WR WKH LQIDPRXV 1DWLRQDO ))$ &RQvention in Kansas City where he was able to vote in favor of the most historic change FFA has exSHULHQFHG ± WKDW ZDV WR DOORZ JLUOV WR EHFRPH ))$ members. For 28 years, Gordie was the teacher DQG ))$ DGYLVRU DW %ULOOLRQ +LV ORYH IRU &'(V OHG Gordie to serve on the CDE Committee for 15 years and seven years as the FFA CDE Coordinator.

DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD RECIPIENTS Becky Wirkus

Renk Seed

%HFN\ :LUNXV LV WKH DJULFXOWXUDO HGXFDWRU DQG ))$ DGYLVRU DW 6WUDWIRUG +LJK +LJK 6FKRRO DQG ODVW yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s WAAE President. For 20 years, Becky has HPSRZHUHG DQG PRWLYDWHG VWXGHQWV ZLWK KDQGV RQ OHDUQLQJ DQG KHU FODVVURRP LV QRW MXVW IRXU ZDOOV EXW H[WHQGV LQWR WKH FRPPXQLW\ 6KH HQMR\V KHOSLQJ ))$ PHPEHUV LQ WKH MRXUQH\ WR EHFRPing better leaders and their giving back to fellow PHPEHUV DOXPQL DQG WKH FRPPXQLW\ WKDW KDV VXSSRUWHG WKHP

Renk Seed is a family-owned and operated company that has been progressive and responsive WR LWV FXVWRPHUV¶ QHHGV IRU RYHU \HDUV ,Q VXSSRUWLQJ LQQRYDWLRQ DQG WKH IXWXUH RI WKH DJULFXOWXUH WKH\ KDYH EHHQ WKH SUHVHQWLQJ VSRQVRUV RI WKH :LVFRQVLQ 6WDWH ))$ 'HJUHH OXQFKHRQ VLQFH 7KH 5HQN IDPLO\ LV SURXG RI WKLV FRPPLWPHQW WR VXSSRUWLQJ ))$ PHPEHUV

Organic Valley/CROPP Cooperative 2UJDQLF 9DOOH\ &5233 &RRSHUDWLYH KDV EHHQ D :LVFRQVLQ ))$ )RXQGDWLRQ VSRQVRU IRU WKH SDVW \HDUV DQG ZDV LQVWUXPHQWDO LQ HVWDEOLVKLQJ WKH 2UJDQLF $J 3UR¿FLHQF\ LQ 2UJDQLF 9DOOH\ KDG KXPEOH EHJLQQLQJV LQ WKH &RXOHH UHJLRQ RI :LVFRQVLQ LQ ZLWK MXVW VHYHQ IDUPHUV DQG the cooperative now comprises over 2,000 family farms and 900 employees who bring organic food to peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s tables.

Honored Adults

HONORARY STATE FFA DEGREES Ginger Braml Carol Ellis Karen Gefvert Brad Gefvert James Grasee Edward & Claire Hayden

Jason Kollwelter Anita Ruger Cari Sabel Melissa Sylte Paula Treu Luke Wiedenfeld

21

FINANCIALS The Foundation awarded scholarships totaling $25,520, Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) grants totaling $23,920 and grants to FFA Chapters totaling $13,800.

The Foundation manages donor restricted endowment funds totaling $974,758.

Statement of Activities Year ended July 31, 2019

Support & Revenue Contributions In-kind Contributions Fund Raising Events Investment Return Miscellaneous Total Support & Revenue

2019 2018

July 31, 2019 and 2018

Assets 617,282 10,135 36,125 46,465 0

452,656 5,920 42,936 47,888 0

710,007

549,400

Expenses Personnel 133,115 Professional Fees 17,503 OfďŹ ce Expenses 23,622 Programming 346,767 Travel & Meetings 14,302 Advertising 1,024 Insurance 1,895 Occupancy 6,600 Fund Raising Expenses 12,165 Investment Mgmt Fees 1,878 Write Off of Pledges Receivable 0 Miscellaneous 811

155,646 18,256 27,550 307,810 24,260 0 854 6,600 13,577 11,172 1,000 1,199

Total Expenses

567,924

Change in Net Assets

Statement of Financial Position

559,683 150,324

-18,524

2019 2018

Current Assests Other Assets

393,506 1,415,223

330,440 1,407,695

Total Assets

1,734,513

1,738,135

Liabilities & Net Assests Current Liabilities Net Assets Unrestricted Temorarily Restricted Permanently Restricted

89,980

76,782

620,976

613,370

300,227

244,716

888,724

803,267

1,899,907

1,738,135

Net assets at beginning of year

1,661,353

1,679,877

Net assets at end of year

1,811,677

1,661,353

Total Liabilities & Net Assets

Thank you for your partnership and for ensuring the 22

Financials

WHAT YOU SUPPORT Each year, hundreds of industry and individual ďŹ nancial partners like you support agricultural education, Wisconsin FFA and its nearly 21,000 members. During the 2018-2019 ďŹ scal year, your commitment helped the Wisconsin FFA Foundation direct nearly $350,000 in funding to:

Individual FFA Members -

$76,800

Â&#x2021; 6XSHUYLVHG $JULFXOWXUDO ([SHULHQFH grants â&#x20AC;˘ Post-secondary scholarships Â&#x2021; 3URÂżFLHQF\ DZDUGV

State-Level Programming -

$129,095

Â&#x2021; 6WDWH RIÂżFHU WUDLQLQJ â&#x20AC;˘ Leadership conferences and workshops â&#x20AC;˘ Wisconsin FFA Convention Â&#x2021; 3URÂżFLHQF\ DZDUG SURJUDPPLQJ Â&#x2021; 9DULRXV VWDWH OHYHO DZDUGV Local FFA Chapters -

$37,965

â&#x20AC;˘ Chapter grants program â&#x20AC;˘ Membership awards â&#x20AC;˘ Career & leadership development event awards Â&#x2021; 1DWLRQDO EDQG FKRUXV DQG WDOHQW stipends Wisconsin Agricultural Education Partners -

$105,526

â&#x20AC;˘ Star Mission Program grants to aid a need or goal of the total Wisconsin $JULFXOWXUDO (GXFDWLRQ SURJUDP LQFOXGLQJ VWUHQJWKHQLQJ DJ HGXFDWLRQ SURJUDPV IURP DGYLVRU WR VWXGHQW Â&#x2021; *UHDWHVW QHHGV IXQGLQJ WR WKH :LVFRQVLQ $VVRFLDWLRQ RI ))$ WKH :LVFRQVLQ ))$ &HQWHU WKH :LVFRQVLQ ))$ $OXPQL DQG WKH :LVFRQVLQ $VVRFLDWLRQ RI $JULFXOWXUDO (GXFDWRUV

future of agricultural education and Wisconsin FFA! What You Support

23

DONORS

Below is the annual listing of all Wisconsin FFA Foundation partners and benefactors during the 2018-19 campaign year: June 17, 2018 – June 15, 2019.

FFA-RELATED ORGANIZATIONAL PARTNERS Philanthropist ($2,500+) 2017-18 State Officer Team Wisconsin FFA Alumni Association

Patron ($1,000-$2,499) Clinton FFA Alumni Elkhorn FFA Alumni Marshfield FFA Alumni Section 8 FFA Alumni Affiliates

Benefactor ($500-$999) Amherst FFA Alumni

Denmark FFA Alumni Freedom FFA Chapter Gresham FFA Alumni Howards Grove FFA Alumni Sevastopol FFA Chapter Waupaca FFA Chapter & Alumni Wisconsin Association of Agricultural Educators

Advocate ($250-$499) Brodhead FFA Alumni Fennimore FFA Alumni Lomira Community FFA Alumni

Mondovi FFA Chapter New Glarus FFA Alumni Waupun FFA Chapter

Supporter ($100-$249) 1991-92 State Officer Team

Stanley-Boyd FFA Chapter Teachers Trempealeau County Ag Turtle Lake FFA Alumni Waunakee FFA Alumni

Argyle FFA Alumni Bloomer FFA & FFA Alumni Green Bay Southwest FFA Chapter Marshfield FFA Chapter Milton FFA Chapter Oconto Falls FFA Alumni

Contributor (up to $99)

Wyffels Hybrids Xcel Energy, Inc.

Usinger Foundation, Inc. UW-River Falls AgEd Society & AlphaTau Alpha Vita Plus Corporation Vivayic Inc. Wisconsin Aquaculture Association Wisconsin Cattlemen’s Association Wisconsin National Farmers Organization Wisconsin Operating Engineers JAC Wisconsin Sheep Breeders Cooperative

Black River Falls FFA Chapter Brookwood FFA Chapter Ellsworth FFA Chapter Horicon FFA Chapter Lomira FFA Chapter Sauk Prairie FFA Chapter

INDUSTRY PARTNERS Philanthropist ($20,000+) CHS Foundation Compeer Financial Culver Franchising System, Inc. Equity Cooperative Livestock Sales Association

Patron ($10,000-$19,999) AgCountry Farm Credit Services Filament Marketing GROWMARK, Inc. Kerry Landmark Services Cooperative Organic Valley/CROPP Cooperative, Inc. Renk Seed Rural Mutual Insurance Company Syngenta Wisconsin Public Service

Benefactor ($5,000-$9,999) Alliant Energy Foundation American Foods Group Andis Foundation ANIMART Army ROTC Bio-Vet, Inc. Blain’s Farm & Fleet Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin GreenStone Farm Credit Services Hansen Foods Investors Community Bank Land O’Lakes Foundation Russ Davis Wholesale/Crazy Fresh Produce Seneca Foods Corporation Wisconsin Agri-Business Association Wisconsin Farm Bureau Foundation

Advocate ($1,000-$4,999) Adams-Columbia Electric Cooperative Agropur Inc. Animal Health International, Inc. Badger State Ethanol, LLC BlueScope Buildings BMO Harris Bank Boehringer Ingelheim

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Vetmedica, Inc Brakebush Brothers Inc. Breeze Dairy Group LLC CentralStar Cooperative Chippewa Valley Bean Citizens State Bank of Loyal CNH Industrial Capital Culver’s of Waukesha Culver’s of Wausau Dairyland Seed Co., Inc. DeLong Company, Inc. Direct Enterprises, Inc. Edward J. Okray Foundation, Inc. Farm Report Radio Network and WAXX Four Hands Holsteins, Inc. Jennie-O Turkey Store John Deere Financial, f.s.b.

Kiwanis Club of Downtown Madison Kuhl Equipment, LLC Kuhn North America, Inc. Lakeside Foods, Inc. Lee Foundation Lely North America MAI Animal Health MinnTex Citrus, Inc. - Iowa Nasco Pilgrim’s Saputo Cheese USA Inc. Sartori Company Southwest WI Technical College Star Blends The Country Today Town Bank United Animal Health United Cooperative We Energies Wisconsin Bankers Association Wisconsin Corn Growers Association Wisconsin Dekalb Asgrow Sales Team Wisconsin Farmers Union Wisconsin Pork Association Wisconsin Poultry and Egg Industries Association Wisconsin Rural Opportunities Foundation, Inc. Wisconsin Veterinary Medical Association

Supporter ($250-$999) Ace Ethanol Ag Ed Network, Service of Stewart-Peterson Group Anderson Pharms, LLC Animal Health International, Inc. Arimon Technologies Inc. Associated Milk Producers Inc. Badger Steel & Fabricating, Inc. ConAgra Brands Culver’s - Brookfield, Elm Grove, New Berlin, West Allis Culver’s of Madison Culver’s of Middleton Culver’s of Pleasant Prairie Custer Farms, Inc. Daily Dairy Report Daluge Travel, LLC Duffy Grain, Inc. Dunn Energy Cooperative Eau Claire Cooperative Oil Company FarmFirst Dairy Cooperative Fox Cities Builders Greater Madison Convention & Visitors Bureau Greenhouse Megastore Gumz Farms H&S Manufacturing Co. Herbert H. Kohl Charities, Inc. LaClare Farms Leedstone, Inc. Legacy Seeds Lulich Auction, LLC Lulich Landscaping, LLC Mark Anderson McCain Foods, Inc. Middleton Farmers Cooperative Milk Source, LLC National FFA Foundation, Inc. Northern Clearing, Inc. Premier Insurance Solutions, LLC Riverland Energy Cooperative Roundy’s Supermarkets, Inc. Sargento Sloan Implement Company, Inc TASC Udder Tech Inc

Contributor (up to $249) Animal Health International, Inc. Big Iron Equipment Castell Farm Chippewa Valley Technical College Countryside Cooperative CRT Papcke Farms, LLC Franzen Trucking Glacial Lake Cranberries, Inc. Gross Motors, Inc. HealthPartners Kelley Country Creamery Lowe Manufacturing Co., Inc. McClellan Farms, Inc. Mid-West Family Broadcasting - Eau Claire Provision Partners Cooperative Quality Liquid Feeds Rural Mutual Insurance - Kevin Schommer Scenic Rivers Energy Cooperative Scheps Dairy, Inc. Superior Shores Farm Bureau SVA Certified Public Accountants, S.C. Thill Crest Farm United Veterinary Service USAgNet LLC / Wisconsin Ag Connection

Donors

INDIVIDUAL PARTNERS Philanthropist ($1,000+) Anonymous Donors Louis & Sandra Arrington Joan Behr William & Deborah Boehm Rick & Gwen Dado Karl Drye James T. Grasee & Mary H. Handrich-Grasee Paul & Kirsten Gross Family of Gordon J. Iverson Family of the late Brian Krull William Maurina Jerry Steiner and Denise Bertrand Family Thomas H. Thomsen Dave & Jackie Weiland

Patron ($500-$999) Carol Anderson Big Sky Suffolks Patrick Baecker Tom & Jesi Betley Tony Betley Jeff Booth Robert Hagenow Kathleen Murphy Kent & Candace Muschinske Ben & Nicole Nelson Greg Rindsig Rick Webster Keith Weltzien Tim Wyss Dean Ziegler Family

Benefactor ($250-$499) Justin Bauer Travis Berg Sara & Tim Bliefernicht Ginger Braml Beth Burgy David & Beth Erickson Robert & Peggy Fischer Mike Gerrits Travis & Ellen Holt Taylor Holterman John A Hromyak Daryl & Katie Jones Justin Jorgenson Jayne Krull Tom & Tricia Kwak Larry Lader Matthew H Larse Ronald W. Martin Kenneth & Joyce Natzke Milton & Kay Olson

Mark Raduenz Kimberly & Dean Redington Paul Salm Janet Lynn Schneider Mark P. Strohschein Danielle Waterworth Emily Watson Kathy Wendt

Advocate ($100-$249) Charles Adami Angie Ahlgrim Cortlyn & Judy Almquist Jessica Amberg Jon & Rachel Anderson Trever Athorp Ronna Morton Ballmer Thomas & Tammy Beard Dale & Jillian Beaty Victor Bekkum Ross & Melissa Bender DeWayne & Gerda Benedict Tom Bressner Chad Brusveen Dennis & Cheryl Chamberlain Paul A Derber Donald & Sheila Dipprey Dawn Doran Donald Dunn Rudolph Geimer Gilbert Graber Gary & Jennifer Gracyalny Tim & Jane Griswold Joyce E. Gust Kim & Leona Havens Nick Hemling Nancy Henck Jeff & Sheri Hicken Darrell Hines Chris K Hinkle Jim & Gayle Holte Dayton Hougaard William & Jacqueline Hustad Ralph Johnson Scott Johnson Wendy J Kannel Michael and Jeanne Kawleski Christopher Keil Amber Vickers Keller Katie Holewinski Michael & Patricia Knoll Jason and Holly Kollwelter Betty Krcma Jessie Kreke Chuck & Mary Lou Kugel Donald Larsen

Charles Larson Russ & Christine Lindner Larry Lindsay Tom & Barbara Lyon Paul Meister Arch Morton, Jr. Jackie Mundt Howard “Dan” & Jean Poulson Lorin & Winnie Preston Tim & Jean Preuninger Richard E Ralph Douglas Raymakers Russell & Karen Rindsig Richard & Lois Rossmiller Nathan & Jennifer Russell Irvin & Mary Sather Dave & Lisa Schaefer Richard & Sue Schultz Dennis & Carol Seefeldt Harvey & Susan Shuler Duke Thurs Dave & Laura Triebold Lee Van Wychen Joe & Mary Beth Waldo Mary & James Weber Jerry & Sharon Wendt James & Judith Werth Blaine & Fay Westberg

Supporter ($50-$99) LaVerne Ausman Geneva Beals Brion & Aralda Bell Stanley Bergum Robin Connelly Richard & Peggy Daluge Ronald E. Deiter Carol Ellis Cletus & Nancy Franz Denise Giebel Edward & Gloria Greschner Janet Huppert Erik Huschitt Wayne & Beverly Jansen Ronald Jenkins Eugene & Margaret King Keith & Lynn Kolpack Lisa Konkel Thomas & Lee Ann Lindahl Lyle & Linda Mercer Roman Molls, Jr. Bill & Betty Outhouse Margie & Gregory Peck Jill Pedersen Philip & Carol Peterson Todd Prescott

Ralph & Judy Rabach Paul Redig David Rizzardi David & JoDee Sattler David R. Schlies James Schneider Elmira Schultz Jesse & Jenny Singerhouse Gary & Dorsay Solum Leonard L. Splett Bruce & Rachel Stafne Melissa Sylte Bob & Marcia Voss Robert Walton Carolyn White-Knapp Earl Woller Mark & Cheryl Zimmerman

Contributor (up to $49) Donald & Lois Armitage Marc & Diane Boettcher David & Heidi Clausen Jack Ellickson Tim & Angela Feider Barbara & George Groshek Brian Guza Robert C. & Beverly M. Hodgson William Johnson Christine M. Jumbeck James & Joyce Kasper Rod Kazmerzak Alison Kepner Brett & Natalie M. Killion Dan & Christy Kitzhaber Drew A Lewis Donald G Lightfield Bradley & Annette Markhardt Wayne & Donna Martin Merwin Moen Sheryl Nehls Clarence Olson JoAnn Otto Donna Peterson Charles & Louise Price Robert & Patricia Reddell Roger & Peggy Cleven Peter Roycraft Donald & Mary Russell David and Karla Schmidt Ruth Siegmund Gene Sirianni Peter & Ruth Stern Harold & Thelma Tech Terry & Paula Treu Ralph & Mary Wendler Greta E Woodruff

THANK YOU TO ALL OF OUR CONTRIBUTING PARTNERS!

Donors

25

HONORS AND MEMORIALS In Honor of

Charles Adami NCFC Education Foundation In Memory of

Donald Armitage Jane Thiel In Memory of

Donald Armitage Jeanine Pittman In Memory of

Donald Armitage Mark Landmark In Memory of

Donald Armitage Ronald C Berman In Memory of

Donald Armitage Wesley & Jean Armitage In Honor of

Mike Austin Betty Krcma In Memory of

Dick Erstad John & Darlene Arneson In Memory of

Robert Giebel, Sr. Denise Giebel In Memory of

Victoria Harter Bonnie Jean Peterson In Memory of

Joyce Lemke Tom & Donna Odeen In Memory of

Michael Lindolff SVA Certified Public Accountants, S.C. In Memory of

Nancy (Carroll) Maurina William Maurina In Memory of

Pamela Neitzke Tom and Steph Schultz In Memory of

Rilla F. Oppriecht Jessica Amberg In Memory of

Bethany Rieth Emily Watson In Memory of

DuWayne Rosen Tim Wyss In Memory of

Dean Ziegler Dean Ziegler Family

26

Blue and Gold Society Jim, Mark, Carol and Jon Anderson Lou and Sandra Arrington Harold and Geneva Beals Dennis and Joan Behr Walter and Delores Bjoraker Arnold B. and Katherine Cordes Floyd Doering Elstad Brothers Estate The Family of Matthew D. Anderson Dr. Rick and Peggy Daluge Dean P. and Mary Elstad Gagnon James T. Grasee & Mary Handrich-Grasee Paul and Kirsten Gross Keith Gundlach Kim and Leona Havens Kenneth K. Heideman Al and Lynn Herrman The Family of Gordon J. Iverson DVM Wallace H. Jerome Amber Vickers Keller Rodney O. Kittelsen Robert and Herta Laatsch Family Kevin and Julie Larson Family Glenn L. and Sonja Linder Virgil O. and Ann Martinson Gerald R. Matteson William & Nancy (Carroll) Maurina and Family Derrick Papcke Bethany L. Rieth Michael A. Sabel Ken Seering Bernie and Marty Staller Jerry Steiner Clarence A. and Caroline L. Strohschein Thomas H. and Christine M. Thomsen, in honor of Mr. Thomsen’s father, H. H. ‘Tommy’ Thomsen Jim and Nodji Van Wychen, in honor of Mr. Van Wychens’s parents, John and Hattie Van Wychen Blue and Gold Society

LEAVE YOUR LEGACY What will be your legacy? You can leave it to Wisconsin FFA in a matter of minutes. There are many ways that you can make a difference including:

1 2 3 4 5

Join the Blue & Gold Society. The society is comprised of individuals who generously demonstrate support through a gift of $15,000 or more over a period of one to three years, or who have supplied a letter of intent that they included the Wisconsin FFA Foundation in a planned gift estimated to be a comparable amount. This gift can also be directed to an endowment that can fund programs into the future.

JOAN AND DENNIS BEHR

Name Wisconsin FFA Foundation in your will. You can specify a certain dollar amount or a percentage as a gift.

Name Wisconsin FFA Foundation as a beneficiary of one of your assets, such as your retirement plan, life insurance policy or bank account. Simply contact the administrator of the plan, policy or account and complete the paperwork.

Donate stock to Wisconsin FFA Foundation.

You can avoid capital gains by donating your stock (that you’ve owned for more than one year) to the Foundation.

Donate your IRA required minimum distribution to Wisconsin FFA Foundation.

IRA owners who are 70 ½ or older can transfer up to $100,000 per year directly to the Foundation without paying income tax on the transaction. If filing jointly, a spouse can also make a $100,000 contribution.

Joan and Dennis Behr were inducted into the Blue and Gold Society at the 90th Wisconsin FFA Convention. “We have seen first-hand the positive impact FFA has on young people who are interested in agriculture and leadership development,” the couple says. “Our decision to be part of the Blue and Gold Society is our small way of nurturing the talent and knowledge that it will take to feed the world, develop new products and markets, and implement new technology that advances agriculture.”

Your financial gift and legacy to the Wisconsin FFA Foundation makes an impact!

Members learn technical trades to succeed in their future careers, as well as leadership skills through state and national training conferences. These Wisconsin FFA members are your future employees and colleagues who will lead us into the coming decades’ of agricultural growth and sustainability throughout Wisconsin. Your legacy gift matters! To learn more, contact John Hromyak, Executive Director, at 608-831-5058 x3 or jhromyak@wisconsinffafoundation.org.

Leave Your Legacy

27

LEADING INDUSTRY PARTNERS

2018 - 19

Alliant Energy Foundation · American Foods Group · Andis Foundation · ANIMART · Army ROTC · Bio-Vet, Inc. · Blain’s Farm & Fleet · Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin · GreenStone Farm Credit Services · Hansen Foods · Investors Community Bank · Land O’Lakes Foundation · Russ Davis Wholesale/Crazy Fresh Produce · Seneca Foods Corporation · Wisconsin Agri-Business Association · Wisconsin Farm Bureau Foundation

28 28

Industry Partners

PARTICIPATION NUMBERS Wisconsin Association of FFA - officially organized a first meeting on Oct. 26, 1929

THEN (1900’S)

NOW (2018-19)

Total Membership:

Total Membership:

approx.

400

Total Chapters:

40

and 28 more added in the first year

20,825 Total Chapters:

251

American FFA Degrees:

American FFA Degrees:

2 in 1931

119

Leadership Conference Attendees:

Leadership Conference Attendees:

7

4,599

District Conferences were held between 1921-22

State Convention Attendees:

State Convention Attendees:

Held at UW College of Agriculture in 1930

3,738

29

WAAE

WISCONSIN ASSOCIATION OF AGRICULTURAL EDUCATORS

Each year, Wisconsinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s agricultural educators gather for a Professional Development Conference (PDC) in late June. This is a time for retreat, refreshment and learning. This summer tradition is one many look forward to all year around, to spend time with friends and learn new techniques for their classroom and FFA chapter activities. Hereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s what some had to say about PDC:

Linda Sattler Laconia FFA Advisor My WAAE experiences have given PH FRQ¿GHQFH FRPUDGHU\ DQG DPD]LQJ WUDYHO RSSRUWXQLWLHV 0\ VWXGHQWV ORYH KHDULQJ DERXW P\ SHUVRQDO H[SHULHQFes and appreciate that if I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know DQ DQVZHU ± , XVXDOO\ NQRZ DQRWKHU DJ WHDFKHU ZKR GRHV 2XU FRPELQHG Wisconsin ag teacher knowledge is better than Google!

Joelle Liddane Pre-service teacher, WAAE student intern from UWRiver Falls The 2019 WAAE PDC allowed me WKH RSSRUWXQLW\ WR FUHDWH PHDQLQJIXO UHODWLRQVKLSV ZLWK P\ IXWXUH FROOHDJXHV $WWHQGLQJ WKLV DQQXDO HYHQW HDUO\ LQ my teaching career has given me the DZDUHQHVV DQG XQGHUVWDQGLQJ RI KRZ collaborative and cooperative my fellow ag teachers are. I feel better prepared going into teaching now that I know nearly 300 professionals that are there WR VXSSRUW DQG HQFRXUDJH PH

30

Our combined Wisconsin ag teacher knowledge is better than Google!

Jim Melby Winneconne FFA Advisor In agricultural education, we need to teach our students about such a large variety of topics â&#x20AC;&#x201C; ranging from poultry production to public speaking â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and from ï¬&#x201A;oriculture to taxidermy. We cannot be natural experts on all of these topics and that is one reason why this agricultural education family is so valuable.

It is great to work in a profession that values sharing, helping and caring as much as agricultural education does!

We have a multitude of experts who we can reach out to for professional and personal guidance throughout the year. I especially value our Professional Development Conference each summer. At PDC the experts are assembled, and I can just move from room to room to develop my skills and knowledge for my students.

I feel better prepared going into teaching now that I know nearly 300 professionals that are there to support and encourage me.

WAAE

ALUMNI

WISCONSIN FFA ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

FFA makes a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth, and career success through agricultural education. The Wisconsin FFA Alumni Association supports the Alumni chapters throughout the state so that they are better equipped to assist their local community, agriculture instructor(s) and agriculture youth.

Alumni members are dedicated advocates of agriculture education and membership is open to anyone who believes in that mission.

23,397

4,140 $QQXDO PHPEHUV 5,928 Lifetime members 13,329 Associate members

Members The Wisconsin FFA Alumni Association will be celebrating its 40th annual State Alumni Convention, January 31 - February 2, 2020 at the Milwaukee Marriott West.

2018-19 Wisconsin FFA Alumni highlights:

Wisconsin FFA Alumni was named the Outstanding State Association at the National FFA Convention this fall.

6. Convention and Sectional Leadership Workshops .

Provided leadership workshops at State

1. and 360 Leadership Conferences.

Provided 15 scholarships to the National FFA 2. Washington Leadership Conference.

Sponsored lifetime Alumni membership 3. scholarships for all 11 State OfďŹ cers.

7. Sponsored State FFA convention at gold level Judged district, sectional and state FFA 8. Leadership Development Events.

4. Professional Development Conference.

9. events.

Sponsored 32 students for the National FFA 212

Sponsored two agriculture instructors for WAAEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

Coached and chaperoned local FFA teams and

5. FFA leadership conferences.

Served as chaperones and hosted games for

FFA Alumni

31

MAKE A GIFT TO WISCONSIN FFA VISIT WISCONSINAGED.ORG TODAY!

WISCONSIN ASSOCIATION OF FFA wisconsinaged.org/ffa | (715) 659-4807 | (608) 267-9255

WISCONSIN FFA FOUNDATION

Back Cover

wisconsinaged.org/foundation | (608) 831-5058

The Wisconsin FFA Foundation would like to acknowledge Dairyland Power Cooperative for their help with the Annual Report.

32