Wisconsin Ag Connection - FFA Alumni Honors Affiliates During State Convention

Wisconsin Ag News Headlines

FFA Alumni Honors Affiliates During State Convention
Wisconsin Ag Connection - 02/08/2016

Many FFA Alumni affiliates have been recognized for their level of excellence during the past year at the Wisconsin FFA Alumni Convention in Madison. On Saturday, the organization recognized the Melrose-Mindoro FFA Alumni in the small chapter category; Brodhead was the top group in the medium category; and Sauk Prairie, Clinton, Kiel and Mishicot earned honors for larger chapters. A National Outstanding Affiliate Award was also presented to both the Marshfield and Stoughton programs.

The Medford FFA Alumni received the Eagle Award for the highest percent increase in its membership. Owen-Withee won the Dr. V.O. Martinson Award for the highest number of increased members. And Campbellsport earned the Ann Martinson Award for having the highest increase of life-time members during the past year.

The Sauk Prairie FFA Alumni earned the Best Newsletter Award, while Kiel was recognized for having the best affiliate website. Mishicot, Sauk Prairie and Wisconsin Heights FFA Chapters were awarded local program grants of $1,000 for curriculum, equipment, FFA supplies or other chapter needs. And Alumni Affiliate Support Grants were presented to Medford, Sauk Prairie and Bayport.

The recipient of this year's Outstanding Achievement Award was Nick Lowe of the Stoughton FFA Alumni.

Ag instructors recognized for their involvement with their local FFA Alumni groups were Mary Handrich, Denmark; Kim Houser, Wisconsin Heights; and Troy Talford, Sauk Prairie. The group also honored local supporters with the Team Ag Ed-Distinguished Contributor Award. They included Culvers, Ballweg Motors, Furseth Farms of Stoughton, and Rob White from Stoughton.

Meanwhile, Julie Spoke of Waterloo was elected as the new president of the association. She replaces Janet Schneider from Campbellsport, who will remain on the board for another year as past-president.

"I have always had a passion for agricultural education and am looking forward to this new role," Spoke told Wisconsin Ag Connection. "As a board, we plan to focus the next year on finding ways to assist affiliates, especially those that may be struggling, and hoping to help other schools that do not have an Alumni to start one."

Dan Follendorf of Sparta is the new president-elect, and Mark Ladsten from Plain was chosen as the new vice president.

The Wisconsin FFA Alumni is the nation's largest state affiliate, with over 8,000 members listed on the group's roster.

Other Wisconsin Headlines