UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN River Falls

Alumni

Meet our Alumni

Take a look at the alumni profiles below to learn more about what CAFES alumni are up to after receiving their degree at UWRF. Want to share your story and be featured on our website and social media sites? Fill out this online form to participate.

Peter Weber Alumni Profile
Peter Weber
, a 1988 Animal Science and Agricultural Business and Farm Management graduate of UWRF is currently a National Account Manager at Genex Cooperative. Peter feels that his studies and relationships at UW-River Falls gave him a strong foundation of agricultural knowledge and contacts, which has enabled him to connect well with his customer farmers. While a CAFES student, Peter was active in Dairy Club and noted that his favorite memory was the annual Dairy Club trip. Peter is married to Jennifer and they have three children Matt, Molly and Alex.

Mamie Henderson
Mamie (Henderson) Luhmann
is a 2005 Agricultural Education graduate. She is the 4-H Program Coordinator for the University of Minnesota Extension in Goodhue County. In this role, she supervises and manages county 4-H programs with 700 youth members and 300 adult volunteers.  Mamie also plans, delivers and assesses all county 4-H events and programs. She is also a contributing blogger to the AgStar Financial Women in Ag Blog where she shares blogs about 4-H/FFA Youth Development, family values and raising a family on a small farm while also working off the farm.

When asked about how CAFES has helped her, Mamie states, "CAFES not only provided me with the technical knowledge I needed for my career, but also the personal connections to get me there. I can't say it enough, networking is everything. You never know how the people you meet will impact your life down the road or what doors they may be able to open for you."

Mamie and her husband Paul live in rural Lake City, MN and have 2 daughters, Clara who is 4 years old, and Hazel who is 1 year.

Derek Husmoen
Derek Husmoen
is a 2008 Agricultural Engineering Technology and Soil Science graduate. He currently is a Soil Conservationist for the USDA-NRCS in Winona and Wabasha counties in southeast Minnesota. Derek works directly with farmers doing conservation planning and helping solve soil erosion and water quality issues on their operations. While a CAFES student, Derek was involved in Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity, Alpha Zeta, Ag Ed Society, and Crops and Soils Club as well as working as a campus tour guide. Looking back on his education, he states, "The courses I took directly relate to the work I do today, and being actively involved in clubs and extracurricular activities with CAFES has helped shape my leadership and organizational skills."

Sue Wise
Suzanne (Annis) Wise (1979) is a biological lab technician working for the USDA - ARS at the U.S. Meat Animal Research Center in Clay Center, Nebraska. Her research involves cattle, sheep and swine in the areas of genetics, nutrition, reproduction, animal health, environmental management and meat quality and safety.

When asked about her experience, Sue, an animal science and chemistry graduate, stated, "I was in the science option of animal science program and it prepared me very well for my job. I use chemistry every day at work and also deal a lot with animal physiology. I have worked in the reproduction, environmental management and nutrition units over the many years I have worked here so the well-rounded education I received at UW-River Falls had me well prepared for my job." Sue and her husband Tom have two children.

Whitney (Peissig) Thome
Whitney (Peissig) Thome
is a Dealer Parts Management Analyst with John Deere. In this role, she works directly with agriculture and construction dealer accounts to manage their part inventory at a location level.

When asked about her CAFES experience, Whitney shared, "By having a cross-functional major with an adviser in CAFES, I was able to take advantage of a variety of classes – everything from Animal Science to Professional Selling. Not only did CAFES allow me to gain classroom experience, it opened doors to many summer internships and a study abroad experience. The education and practical experience I received as a result of being a CAFES student prepared me for a position within the competitive, rapidly-growing agricultural industry."

Whitney resides in DeWitt, Iowa and is married to Pete, who is also an alum of CAFES.

CAFES Alumni Ryan and Tiffany
This profile features two CAFES alumni - Ryan and Tiffany (Boettcher) Timm. Ryan is a 1999 Animal Science graduate and is a Food Scientist in the Research and Development Division at Hormel Foods in Austin, Minn. Tiffany received her B.S. in Agricultural Education in 1998 and M.S. in Animal Science in 2005. She is the Agriculture Education Instructor and FFA Adviser at LeRoy-Ostrander Schools in LeRoy, Minn. They have a 9 year old son, Andrew, and a 6 year old daughter, Clara.

When asked about their education at UWRF, Ryan stated "Professors in CAFES provided a well-rounded, practical education." Tiffany added, "CAFES prepared us for the multitude of diverse facets of agriculture that are found in our world today. We utilized cutting edge technology in courses and yet also gained insight in how the advances in areas have come to exist because of past advancements. Our networking with professors, industry professionals and more really helped with job opportunities."

Contact Us

College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences
laura.walsh@uwrf.edu
715-425-3535
Fax 715-425-3785
210 Agricultural Science
611 S. 3rd St.
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