UW-River Falls student Dylan Heimmermann with three of the four current agricultural engineering faculty. L-R: Dean Olson, Dylan Heimmermann, Joe Shakal, and Youngmi Kim. Missing from the group is Joel Peterson.

UW-River Falls student named ASABE Ag Engineering Technology Student of the Year

April 14, 2016 --University of Wisconsin-River Falls student Dylan Heimmermann has been named the Agricultural Engineering Technology Student of the Year by the Wisconsin chapter of the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE).

Heimmermann, a junior majoring in agricultural engineering technology, grew up on a small beef and goat farm in Hortonville. He received the award at the ASABE spring meeting on March 30 in Oshkosh.

Heimmermann returned to campus this semester following a six-month internship with MacDon Industries in Winnipeg, Canada. MacDon is a leader in harvesting equipment and technology with sales in 40 countries around the globe. At MacDon, Heimmermann interned as a field test technician, designing and performing field tests of new equipment. His role included preparing daily and summary reports and working with the design engineers to address design issues. With a better understanding of engineering testing gained through his internship experience, Heimmermann hopes to pursue a position as a product specialist or field test engineer following graduation.

At UW-River Falls, Heimmermann enjoys being part of the ASABE International ¼-Scale Tractor Student Design Team. He enjoys the opportunity to design, build and test a real product, including using his CAD skills to create the virtual machine. This year he is serving as the X-team captain and will be heading to the international competition in June. Heimmermann is also a member of the Ag Industries Club and enjoys their industry tours. The club raises funds to support their travels through their annual lawnmower and snow blower tune-ups. Heimmermann is in charge of the lawnmower tune-up this spring. This summer he will be employed as an equipment operator for Van De Loo Farms in Kaukauna.

The agricultural engineering technology major at UW-River Falls currently has 87 students enrolled in the program. It is the only program of its kind in the state of Wisconsin. Beginning in fall 2016, UW-River Falls will also offer a professional agricultural engineering program in which students will be eligible to take the Fundamentals of Engineering exam, leading to licensing as a Professional Engineer (PE) later in their career.

For more information, email laura.walsh@uwrf.edu.