Public Affairs

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UWRF Represented at National FFA Convention

DEC. 12, 2008--The University of Wisconsin-River Falls Alpha Tau Alpha (ATA) and Agricultural Education Society (AES) had a strong representation in Indianapolis during the National Collegiate Agricultural Education Conference, in late October.

The UWRF chapter of Alpha Tau Alpha (ATA) hosted the National Collegiate Agricultural Education Conference and ATA Conclave that brought more than 250 members of student agricultural education organizations from 23 institutions throughout the United States.

While at the conference, participants were able to hear from professional speakers and participate in competitive events. ATA and AES members from UWRF took part in the quiz bowl, debate and program of excellence contests. Members also competed in the parliamentary procedure contest where they received first place for the written test and the overall contest.

Michael Rahmlow, a sophomore business administration major from Mishicot, received the highest score on the written test. Other members of the team were Nathan Kringle, a junior dairy science major from Barron; Rachel Rahmlow, a senior business administration major from Mishicot; Kim Schadrie, a sophomore agricultural education major from De Pere; Lindsey Neby, a junior physics major from Comstock; and Bobbi Christenson, a sophomore agricultural education major from Amery.

The UWRF representation was also the recipient of the A.W. Nolan Memorial Leadership Award, a platinum level award. The Nolan Leadership Award recognizes collegiate agricultural development opportunities for their members, ensures the professionalism and success of the National Collegiate Agricultural Education Conference and ATA Conclave, and helps to improve communications between collegiate agricultural education organizations.

Many UWRF students participated in the convention career show and assisted with the AgriScience Institute Workshops for agricultural educators.

Out of 18 National Proficiency Award finalists, four UWRF students received awards. Bradley Schwanz, a freshman agricultural business major from Amherst, won the agricultural processing proficiency. The dairy production entrepreneurship winner was Theresa Schiferl, a sophomore agriculture education major from Hewitt. Michael Hoffman, a freshman dairy science major also from Amherst, won the dairy production placement proficiency. Michelle Heeg, a sophomore agricultural education major from Marshfield, received the emerging agricultural technology proficiency award. Kaleb Santy, a sophomore agricultural education major from Pulaski, was named the National FFA officer candidate.

The National Collegiate Agricultural Education Conference is held in conjunction with the National FFA Organization's annual convention. The National FFA Organization is a national youth organization with more than a half-million members in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. The national convention brings together more than 54,000 members and supporters.

Many UWRF students also received the American FFA Degree, which is the highest level of recognition that can be achieved as an FFA member:

Wisconsin:
Ross Bender, senior crop and soil science major from Cleveland
Dakota Bockenhauer, senior animal science major from Mindro
Andrew Christenson, sophomore dairy science major from Amery
Michael Colle, sophomore animal science major from Luxemburg
Jeffrey Dombrowski, sophomore agricultural education major from Nelsonville
Nick Entringer, freshman agricultural business major from Glenbeulah
Preston Green, freshman agricultural business major from Richland Center
Rodney Hillskotter, sophomore agricultural education and music double major from Weyauwega
Teal Kampe, freshman agricultural education major from Oshkosh
Nathan King, junior agricultural education major from Holmen
Ben Klinkner, sophomore animal science major from Cashton
Nathan Kringle, junior dairy science major from Barron
Christine Kuhr, junior agricultural engineering technology major from Antigo
Amanda Kunde, sophomore agricultural business major from Oshkosh
Tyler Latz, sophomore agricultural education major from Shell Lake
Katherine Lincicum, senior agricultural education major from Browntown
Cathy Luck, junior animal science major from North Freedom
Sarah Mateske, sophomore agricultural education major from Montello
Kyle McCarville, sophomore horticulture major from Mineral Point
Chanyn McGinnis, sophomore agricultural education major from Warrens
Adam Monson, sophomore biotechnology major from Brodhead
Tiffany Nohl, junior horticulture major from Kiel
Candis O’Brien, junior dairy science major from Mosinee
Nickolas Palkowski, undergraduate from Fountain City
Whitney Peissig, sophomore marketing communications major from Dorchester
Amanda Poff, sophomore pre-professional major from Oshkosh
Jamie Renier, sophomore agricultural education major from Denmark
Elizabeth Rettinger, junior animal science major from Bryant
Kaleb Santy, sophomore agricultural education major from Pulaski
Melissa Sattler, sophomore agricultural engineering technology major from Maribel
Mark Schaffner, junior conservation major from Fountain City
Walter Taylor, junior agricultural education major from Cleveland
Erica Thurs, junior animal science major from Athens
Chelsea Wehrman, sophomore agricultural studies major from Colby
Ashley Wierzchowski, senior sociology major from River Falls
Jessica Wilson, junior dairy science major from Schofield
Hunter Wojcik, freshman agricultural education major for Hatley
Heidi Woods, sophomore animal science major from Suring

Minnesota:
Brandon Goette, sophomore agricultural education major from Albert Lea
Kimberly Goplen, sophomore dairy science major from Pine Island
Jackie Sonnek, sophomore agricultural studies major from Easton
Anne Spillman, sophomore dairy science major from Dennison
Grady Stehr, sophomore agricultural business major from Zumbrota
Kristi Takasaki, sophomore animal science major from East Gull Lake
Lezli Weis, junior marketing communications major from Pine Island
Katie Wendinger, sophomore pre-professional major from New Ulm

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Last updated: Saturday, 14-Mar-2009 19:12:49 CDT