Student Organizations, Social Clubs, and Judging Teams

The CAFES Student Advisory Council is an organization comprised of representatives from each student organization in the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences. Membership is by invitation only.

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The Agricultural Business and Marketing Society unites students, educators, and professionals to develop social capital, leadership skills, and technical knowledge in order to advance and celebrate agriculture. Membership is open to all current UWRF student, alumni, educators, and industry professionals.

Request to join on FalconSync or check out the website here

The mission of the Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow (ACT) is to build relationships among agricultural communication professionals, college students and faculty, to provide professional and academic development for members and to promote agriculture through communication.

Find out more about the UWRF chapter and the national organization

The Agricultural Education Society promotes agricultural education and FFA, gives agricultural educators valuable experiences to better understand their future roles as agriculture teachers, and provides opportunities for all students to participate in a variety of activities and experiences such as parliamentary procedure workshops and judging, state and national FFA conventions, and organizing of the Agricultural Technology Contest.

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The mission of the Agricultural Industry Club is to provide members with experiences in the agricultural industry in order to develop skills to prepare students for their future careers, including club trips and fundraising projects.

Find out more here

The Association of Women in Agriculture (AWA) prepares its members of a career in agriculture and agriculture-related fields, aids women in agriculture in achieving their goals, improves communication among women in agriculture, and support the general betterment of agriculture.

Click here for info about AWA at UWRF

This is a new student organization as of spring 2014. The faculty adviser is Amy Radunz, assistant professor in animal science. More information can be found here.

The UWRF Block and Bridle Club is for students interested in swine, sheep, beef, dairy, goat, and equine. Block and Bridle provides students with the opportunity to develop livestock skills and to interact with others interested in the advancement of animal agriculture. The club hosts educational agricultural experiences, service activities, and social events.

 Get more info or request to join on FalconSync

The Collegiate Farm Bureau educates and develops leadership skills within the university community regarding production agriculture, food sciences and agribusiness, and works cooperatively with the Wisconsin Farm Bureau in order to promote the policies, goals and purposes of Farm Bureau.

Find out more on Facebook or request to join on FalconSync

The UWRF chapter of the Wisconsin Farmers Union is a member-driven organization committed to enhancing the quality of life for family farmers, rural communities, and all people through educational opportunities, cooperative endeavors, and civic engagement.

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Companion Animal Respect and Education (CARE) Club is a social organization at UWRF for anyone with a general interest in companion animals. It allows members to network with experienced individuals within the industry and advocates for opportunities within the companion animal industry.

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The UWRF Crops and Soils Club is for anyone (major or non-major) with an interest in the growth of crops.

Request to join on FalconSync or visit the Facebook group

The UWRF Dairy Club is the largest dairy club in the nation and is open to ANY UWRF student with an interest in the dairy industry. The goal of the Dairy Club is to provide opportunities for student to enhance their knowledge of the dairy industry through educational events, leadership roles, networking opportunities, and professional conferences.

Request to join and find out more on FalconSync

Falcon 4-H is a club for those interested in continuing participation in 4-H related work. The club allows students to continue to develop leadership skills. In addition, it is a great opportunity to make new friends and give back to the River Falls community with various service events. Students will have the opportunity to organize various service and social events for club members. And, of course, collegiate 4-Hers will have plenty of opportunities to help the 4-H community at local, state, and national events!

Get more info on FalconSync or check out Facebook.

The Falcon Pulling Team provides students with practical experiences in the design of drive train systems, tractor performance, manufacturing processes, analysis of tractive forces, weight transfer, and strength of materials. Student will also develops skills in communication, leadership, teamwork, fundraising, testing, and development.

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The UWRF Food Science Club is for all students who love food, science, and technology! The club attends Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) events and the IFT quiz bowl.

Get info on FalconSync or click here for info about IFT Student Association

The UWRF Geological Society is an educational and social organization providing hands-on activities, field trips, and professional development opportunities for all students interested in the earth sciences.

Like the Facebook page here or get more info on FalconSync

The UWRF Horseman's Association provides the community and its members with the opportunity to explore the equine industry through educational events, show experience, on-campus experiences, and conferences. This organization is for all UWRF equestrian students.

Request to join on FalconSync or get more info here

The UWRF Horticulture Society represents students pursuing horticulture as a vocation, avocation, or hobby by providing information related to plants, fruits, vegetables, landscaping, greenhouses, and other horticulture topics through bulletins, literature, tours, field trips, speakers, and special projects.

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The UWRF Poultry Club is for anyone interested in the poultry industry. Club activities include involvement in national poultry judging competitions, conducting 4-H workshops, organizing high school FFA contests, and hosting omelet sales.

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The Pre-Vet Club is for students with an interest in veterinary medicine in order to share ideas, network, and do activities to broaden their understanding of the veterinary field. The Pre-Vet Club attends the national American Pre-Veterinary Medical Association Symposium yearly, and also is very active in community service, fundraising, and social networking activities.

Find out more and request to join on FalconSync

The Resource Management Club is dedicated to involving students in all aspects of resource management through hands-on experience and outdoor activities. The Club helps to manage two small prairie plots in Larson Park and donates time to aid in wildlife monitoring.

Request to join on FalconSync or find out more on Facebook

The Rodeo Club is for all students who love rodeos and want to keep the western heritage alive. The Rodeo Club hosts an annual rodeo the third weekend in September and members compete in rodeos throughout the Midwest. The Rodeo Club also hosts social activities all year, including trail rides, barn dances, and rodeo round-up.

Request to join on FalconSync or click here for more info

The Student Alliance for Local and Sustainable Agriculture (SALSA) is open to all student passionate about organic, sustainable and local agriculture, and seeks to create a sustainable campus food revolution from the ground up. SALSA has attended the MOSES conference, submitted a proposal for a student garden, and hosts many social events such as movie showings, speakers, Earth Day events, and picnics.

Request to join or get more info on FalconSync

Swine Club is focused on promoting all facets of the swine industry and educating those with an interest in all related topics, as well as aiding in the development of individuals pursuing careers with swine while engendering a positive outlook within the industry.

Faculty Adviser: Gary Onan

Request to join or get more info on FalconSync

The Alpha Psi Chapter of Alpha Gamma Rho is a social and professional fraternity bonding members who are pursuing careers in the agriculture, food, and fiber industries.

Click here for more info about the Alpha Psi Chapter and the national Alpha Gamma Rho organization

The Alpha Mu Chapter of Alpha Tau Alpha is a National Professional Honorary Agricultural Education Organization that prepares individuals who have chosen a career in agricultural education or extension education. Alpha Tau Alpha sponsors a Shadow Day for incoming agricultural education majors each spring, among other activities.

Find out more on FalconSync or view the national organization here

Alpha Zeta is a professional honorary society for students and professionals in the fields of agriculture and natural resources. It is the oldest fraternal society for men and women in agriculture.

 Find out more on FalconSync or the professional organization

The Epsilon Chapter of Delta Theta Sigma secures a high degree of scholarship, fosters the spirit of brotherhood in our vocation, and insures social and cultural unity, in order to promote agriculture.

Click here for the national organization

The UWRF chapter of Pi Alpha Xi promotes scholarship, fellowship, professional leadership, and then enrichment of human life through plants.

Click here for info on the UWRF chapter of Pi Alpha Xi and find more about the national organization

The motto of the Beta Zeta Chapter of the Sigma Alpha Sorority is "Women Excelling in Agriculture" and their goal is to foster academic excellence and professional development while encouraging networking and lifelong bonds for women leading the agricultural industry.

Click here for the UWRF chapter website and here for the national organization

This team competes in the AAEA (Agricultural and Applied Economics Association) academic quiz bowl competition at the AAEA Annual Meeting.

Faculty Adviser: Sierra Howry

The American Society of Animal Science Academic Quadrathlon includes local, regional and national competitions.

Faculty Adviser: Sylvia Kehoe

The Animal Welfare Judging Team competes each November in the Annual Intercollegiate Animal Welfare Judging/Assessment Contest.

Faculty Adviser: Kurt Vogel

Faculty Adviser: Matt Digman

The team competes at the NACTA (North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture) Judging Conference.

Faculty Adviser: Veronica Justen

This team competes in regional and national competitions hosted by the North American Intercollegiate Dairy Challenge (NAIDC).

Faculty Adviser: Sylvia Kehoe

The Dairy Judging Team competes at the North American International Livestock Exposition (NAILE).

Faculty Adviser: Steve Kelm

The newly-formed Robotics Team at UWRF competes each summer in the ASABE (American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers) national competition. Little to no experience is required to join the team. It is a great opportunity for students to gain valuable problem solving skills and to learn more about robotics.

Faculty Adviser: Matt Digman

Faculty Adviser: Peter Rayne

Having a basic understanding of horse conformation is crucial, as a horse that isn't "built" correctly can't be used to his/her full potential. Students build a great understanding of equine conformation in ANSC 213 (Equine Evaluation), and if they like the course, can take ANSC 313. The horse judging team will start back up in the fall of 2018, and will travel to both regional (an Arabian judging competition in Minnesota) and also larger competitions (in Oklahoma and Ohio) with the coach, Dr. Bass.

Faculty Adviser: Casie Bass

The National Meat Animal Evaluation Contest is sponsored by the American Meat Science Association. The team hosts an annual Campus Chops sale to support travel to this contest.

Faculty Adviser: Amy Radunz

MACHS brings together students from the universities with horticulture programs in the 12-state mid-America region. UWRF has had a successful showing in past years, including 3rd place in 2015 and 5th place in 2017. UWRF will host the competition in 2019.

Faculty Adviser: David Zlesak

NAMA stands for the National Agri-Marketing Association and the UWRF club is a student chapter of the national organization. The club is for students who are interested in:

• Learning first-hand from professionals in marketing, advertising, communications, promotions, sales, public relations, and other agri-marketing careers.
• Developing valuable personal contacts and working relations with agri-marketing professionals to assist in providing access to internships, co-op programs, job internviews, referrals, business recommendations, and other career opportunities.
• Obtain meaningful opportunities to practice and develop managerial skills and leadership abilities.
• Participating and competing in the annual NAMA Student Marketing Competition where each chapter prepares and presents a total marketing plan of a uniquely designed agricultural product from concept through execution.

Faculty Adviser: Amber Remble

Faculty Adviser: Jim Graham

USPOULTRY Foundation Ted Cameron National Poultry Judging Contest works to increase student enrollment in poultry science and is held annually in the spring.

Faculty Adviser: Bonnie Walters

The Soil Judging Team provides an intense field experience for students to learn a wide variety of soil science skills. Soil judgers determine the type of horizons, color, texture, color, parent material, classification, and interpretation for several large soil pits. Each spring, soil judgers test their skills against students from other schools at the National Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture (NACTA) competition hosted by a different institution each year.

Participation: Students from any major are welcome to participate in soil judging as long as they have completed SOIL 120: Introductory Soil Science. The number of team members is limited by the host institution and determined based on a competitive application process in October. Students participating register for SOIL 289/389/489: Special Topics during the spring semester.

Recent Competitions and Results
2016      University of Minnesota-Crookston      3rd place team
2015      Blackhawk College                            1st place team
2014      Northwest Missouri State University    1st place team
2013      Texas Tech University                        4th place team
2012      Coffeyville Community College            1st place team

Faculty Adviser: Holly Dolliver