The Wisconsin Holstein Association (WHA) will hold its annual Junior Holstein Convention in collaboration with the Manitowoc Junior Holstein Association at the Holiday Inn in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, January 6-8, 2023.
As part of the convention, outstanding members will be recognized for achievements in their Registered Holstein programs in 2022. WHA is pleased to announce the 12 & Under Recognition Award, Young Distinguished Junior Members (YDJM) and Distinguished Junior Member (DJM) award recipients who will be recognized on January 7, 2023. Four DJM honorees will be selected to represent Wisconsin to apply for the National Distinguished Junior Member recognition through Holstein Association USA. The Outstanding Holstein Boy and Girl will also be selected during the banquet.
12 & Under Award winners
Royce Booth is the 11-year-old son of Chris and Courtney Booth of Plymouth. Royce's family owns and operates Booth-Haven Holsteins. Royce loves making friends and competing in dairy bowl and showmanship contests. He wants to help farmers solve problems as an ag engineer in the future.
Evan Brey is the 11-year-old son of Tony and Moriah Brey of Sturgeon Bay. His family resides at Brey Cycle Farm LLC, a 700-cow Registered Holstein farm. Outside of farm work, reading bull proofs, and learning Holstein facts, Evan enjoys sports, music, acting in school plays, and being a member of the school news broadcast team.
Kayla Buttles is the 12-year-old daughter of Andy and Lyn Buttles, Lancaster. She attends Lancaster Middle School where she is in the seventh grade. Kayla enjoys playing the cello and bass clarinet, playing tennis, volleyball, and basketball, and preparing and showing her cattle. She lives on Stone-Front Farm where she loves to learn about all aspects of the farm.
Elise Gilbertson is the 9-year-old daughter of Erik and Brenda Gilbertson, Hollandale. On her family's farm, Gildale Holsteins, she helps with feeding calves, pet chores and babysitting younger siblings. Elise is in the fourth grade at Pecatonica Elementary and enjoys being on a cheer and tumbling competition team, secretary of the Blue Ribbon 4-H Club, and playing softball.
Makenna Gilbertson is the 12-year-old daughter of Erik and Brenda Gilbertson, Hollandale. On her family's farm, Gildale Holsteins, Makenna helps with calf chores, recordkeeping and loves pedigrees. Makenna is vice president of the Blue Ribbon 4-H Club and is in the sixth grade at Pecatonica Middle School enjoying band, choir, dance, theatre, softball and volleyball.
Madison Harbaugh is the 11-year-old daughter of Lynn & Sara Harbaugh, Marion. She is in sixth grade at St. Martin Lutheran School. She is actively involved with Bella-View Holsteins and works with their show heifers daily. Madison is in Shawano County Junior Holsteins and County Line 4-H Club and enjoys the dairy, swine, cake decorating and photography projects.
Adella Loehr is the 10-year-old daughter of Kurt and Sarah Loehr of Eden. On her family farm, Forest Ridge Holsteins, she helps care for 180 head of Registered Holsteins, one Chocolate Lab and a small herd of cats. Adella is in fourth grade at St. Paul's Lutheran School and participates in sports, cheerleading and music lessons.
Natalie Mauk is the 12-year-old daughter of Bryan and Brittney Mauk from Plymouth, where she resides on her family's Mauk-E-Way Farm. She is in seventh grade at Riverview Middle School and loves participating in judging and showmanship contests at all levels. In addition, she is an avid basketball player, playing AAU ball, and is active in cross country.
Lexi Metzler is the homeschooled 10-year-old daughter of Mike & Heather Metzler of Vernon County. Lexi enjoys all aspects of helping at her grandparents' farm, Welsh-Edge Holsteins, but her favorites are bringing the calves in from the pasture, showing, and halter breaking calves. Lexi also likes soccer, baking, horseback riding, and reading.
Braelyn Sarbacker is the 11-year-old daughter of Joe and Sarah Sarbacker, Verona. Braelyn grew up on Fischerdale Holsteins. Braelyn enjoys showing Holsteins and spending time with her family at the shows. She is a member of the Paoli 4-HFireballs 4-H Club and Dane County Junior Holstein. Braelyn also enjoys playing soccer, swimming and basketball.
Madison Sarbacker is the sixth grade daughter of Nick and Jessica Sarbacker. She helps her family operate Heritage Holsteins and Agnew Farms near Whitewater. Madison enjoys swimming, 4-H activities, and showing calves at her local shows. Her favorite job on the farm is feeding newborn calves and watching them grow.
Landon Wendorf is the 12-year-old son of Todd and Christa Wendorf. Landon is a part of the family farm, Crescentmead, where he helps with milking chores and field work. Landon is in seventh grade at Nature Hill Intermediate and plays the baritone in the band. He is a member of the County Line 4-H Club, Dodge County Junior Holstein and Faith UCC Church.
Alivia Wiese is the 12-year-old daughter of Dan and Angela Wiese. She is a seventh grader at Wrightstown Middle School. Besides Junior Holsteins, Alivia is a part of the Wrightstown 4-H Club where she has held many leadership positions. She also enjoys playing softball, piano, and clarinet. Alivia is excited for her future with the Holstein and Jersey breeds.
Young Distinguished Junior Members
Jaron Begert, 13, is the son of Brian and Kari Begert and farms with his family at Echowood Holsteins where they milk 600 cows. He is active in Clark County Junior Holsteins. Jaron and his dad have produced over 70 videos that they share on YouTube to educate consumers on what farmers do every day to take care of their animals.
Justin Brandel is the 12-year-old son of Matthew & Tracy Brandel. His family partners in Straussdale Holsteins LLC, where they milk 160 Registered Holsteins near Lake Mills. Justin helps with various farm chores including working with show calves. He is in the seventh grade at Lake Mills Middle School and enjoys participating in 4-H, Junior Holstein events, and volunteering at various dairy promotion activities.
Katie Brandel is the 13-year-old daughter of Matthew & Tracy Brandel. Her family partners in Straussdale Holsteins LLC, where they milk 160 Holsteins near Lake Mills. Katie enjoys working with her show cattle and helping out on the family farm. Katie is in the eighth grade at Lake Mills Middle School and enjoys participating in 4-H and Junior Holstein events, and playing basketball and soccer.
Alison Gartman is the 14-year-old daughter of Luke and Liz Gartman. She is a freshman at Kohler High School and actively works on her family's farm, Phil-Mar-Ru Farms. She also enjoys showing and working with her beef cattle, participating in Dairy Jeopardy and Dairy Bowl, and the Prepared Public Speaking Contest, all of which she has been successful with in her Junior Holstein Career.
Cathryn Gunst, 16, is the daughter of Willis and Carla Gunst, Pine River. On the farm, Cathryn helps take care of her heifers. Cathryn is involved in 4-H and Junior Holsteins, where she is on the dairy bowl team, and participates in Jeopardy and other contests. She is serving as her FFA chapter's sentinel, plays volleyball, basketball and runs track, and enjoys singing and playing piano.
Christopher Gunst, 16, is the son of Willis and Carla Gunst, Pine River. On the farm, Christopher helps with taking care of his heifers and making hay. Christopher is involved in 4-H and Junior Holsteins, where he is involved in dairy bowl, dairy jeopardy, the speaking contest and other events. He loves to play soccer, basketball, baseball, football and track and is active in his school's FFA program.
Vivian Lichty, 13, farms with her parents, Steve and Dori Lichty at In-style Holsteins and Jerseys, Beaver Dam. In addition to showing, Vivian enjoys dairy bowl, Jeopardy, the speaking contest, and dairy judging. She is a member of the Hyland Prairie 4-H Club and serves as secretary. She plays volleyball, basketball, and the flute at St. Stephen's Lutheran School, where she's in seventh grade.
Leah Mess is the 14-year-old daughter of Austin and Deb Mess of Rosendale. She is an eighth grader at Rosendale Intermediate School and a member of the Fond du Lac Junior Holsteins and the Busy Bee's 4-H Club. Leah enjoys dairy bowl, dairy judging, and helping with milking and calf chores on her family's farm, Just R Mess Dairy.
Laney Neuser, the 13-year-old daughter of Jim and Sarah Neuser, resides in Cato. She is a member of the Junior Holstein Association and the Maribel Mighty Kids 4-H Club, where she is the secretary. Laney is an eighth grader at St. John's Lutheran School in Maribel where she participates in forensics and the math bowl team. Laney competes in Dairy Bowl and Dairy Jeopardy and enjoys showing.
Ella Raatz is the daughter of Al and Teri Raatz, Colby. Although she doesn't live on a farm, she has partnered with local farmers to show some of their Registered Holsteins and to house her growing herd. She is active in 4-H, FFA and Junior Holsteins, including competing on the quiz bowl team, participating in fitting and showing clinics, and the state dairy judging and showmanship contests.
Cameron Ryan is the 13-year-old son of Chad and Amy Ryan of Fond du Lac. Cameron is very involved in his grandparents' dairy farm, Ryan-Vu Holsteins, assisting with feeding heifers, caring for his show heifers and other aspects of the day-to-day chores. He enjoys showing and competing in dairy bowl, jeopardy and judging. He is an eighth grader at the Lomira Middle School, where he plays several sports.
Dylan Ryan, 14, is the son of Chad and Amy Ryan, Fond du Lac. Dylan is active on his grandparents' farm, Ryan-Vu Holsteins, and assists with mixing feed and feeding heifers, cleaning and bedding heifer barns and many aspects of the fieldwork. Along with showing, he likes competing in dairy bowl, jeopardy and dairy. He is a freshman this year at Lomira High School.
Stella Schmocker is the 13-year-old daughter of David and Nina Schmocker, Whitewater. She is a high honors seventh grader at St. Pauls Lutheran School in Fort Atkinson. She is involved in BDL and AAU basketball, volleyball, forensics and math team. Stella is very involved on her family's small show farm where they milk seven cows and have six show heifers, including a Jersey.
Madison Wiese is the 16-year-old daughter of Dan and Angela Wiese. She is a sophomore at Wrightstown High school. Madison and her sisters founded the NEWGEN prefix in 2022. Besides showing cattle, Madison is an active member of the Wrightstown 4-H Club and the Wrightstown FFA Chapter. Dairy cattle have always held a special place in her heart, and she cannot wait for her future with them.
Distinguished Junior Members
Ashley Brandel is the 16-year-old daughter of Matthew and Tracy Brandel. Her family partners in Straussdale Holsteins LLC, where they milk 160 Registered Holsteins in Lake Mills. She is a junior at Lake Mills High School where she is plays basketball. In addition to being active on the farm, Ashley is a member of the Jefferson County Junior Holstein Association, South Side Eagles 4-H Club, and Lake Mills FFA where she participates in various showing, judging, quiz bowl, and dairy promotion events.
Courtney Glenna is the 19-year-old daughter of Randy and Char Glenna, Amery. She is a freshman at UW-River Falls, studying dairy science with an interest in dairy reproduction. She shares a passion for dairy farming with her family by being involved in all aspects of their 120-Holstein cow farm, including with her own Registered Holsteins. She is also involved in FFA, 4-H, Collegiate Farm Bureau and Dairy Club.
Matthew Gunst is the 20-year-old son of Dennis and Nikki Gunst. He and his sister own and operate Ladinodale Holsteins and Jerseys in Hartford where they custom raise heifers. Matthew is a junior at the University of Minnesota majoring in animal science and agricultural communication and marketing. Here, he is involved in the Delta Theta Sigma Fraternity, Gopher Dairy Club, National Agri-Marketing Association, and dairy judging. Matthew has served on the Junior Activities Committee.
Jacob Harbaugh, 17, is the son of Lynn and Sara Harbaugh, Marion. He is a senior at Clintonville High School where he is serving as FFA President. He is involved with Bella-View Holsteins, a registered heifer operation. He exhibits at county, district, state, and national shows throughout the year and is a member of the Wisconsin Agriculture Youth Council, as well as the Shawano County Ag Ambassadors and serves as president of the County Line 4-H Club.
Madeline Hensel is the 17-year-old daughter of Paula Hensel and Michael Hensel. Maddy is a senior at Pittsville High School. She works at Memory Lane Farm, Inc., a faith-based non-profit, in marketing. In school, Maddy is involved in FFA, National Honor Society, student council, and many other clubs. She served as the 2022 Wisconsin Holstein Princess. Alongside her sisters, Maddy enjoys showing and developing their herd of Red and White Holsteins. She is planning on pursuing a degree in agricultural marketing and communications.
Evan Jauquet is a freshman at UW-River Falls pursuing a degree in agricultural business management. On campus, Evan is involved in the Falcon Dairy Club, Ag Business Club and Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity. He also plays intramural soccer and badminton. Evan's future plans include returning to become a partner in his family's business, Synergy Family Dairy, near Pulaski. Evan's family includes his parents Jay and Heather Jauquet and his two brothers, Mason and Carter.
Chloe LaCrosse is the potential fifth generation farmer on Uecker-Lacrosse Farms located in Forestville. On her family's dairy, they milk 83 Registered Holsteins in a tie-stall barn and crop around 500 acres of land. Chloe is currently a freshman at UW-Madison majoring in dairy science and plans to return to the family farm after graduation to become the next generation of dairy producers.
Sam Mess is the son of Austin and Deb Mess of Rosendale. Sam is a graduate of Laconia High School where he was active in FFA, the trap team, power lifting, and played tuba in band. This fall he is attending Fox Valley Technical College in the agribusiness science and technology-animal science program. He hopes to return to the family farm after graduation.
Ainsley Noble is the 18-year-old daughter of Troy and Jaime Noble and grew up on her family's dairy and beef farm, Nobland Farms, in Lancaster. She is a freshman at UW-River Falls majoring in agricultural education. Here, she is a member of the UWRF Dairy Club, Agriculture Education Society, Collegiate Farm Bureau, and Agriculture Business and Marketing Society. Ainsley plans to someday return to her family's farm, as well as become a high school agriculture teacher and FFA advisor.
Lauren Siemers is the 20-year-old daughter of Paul and Jenny Siemers of Kiel. She grew up as the sixth generation at Siemers Holsteins in Newton. Lauren attends UW-Oshkosh as a junior studying marketing with a minor in journalism. In the future, she hopes to combine her degree with her dairy background to pursue a career in agricultural sales. Throughout her junior involvement, Lauren enjoyed serving as the WHA Princess, making lifelong friendships in dairy bowl, and competing in almost every contest that WHA has to offer.
Emily Stumpf is the 18-year-old daughter of John and Karla Stumpf, Appleton. Her animals are housed on her family's seventh generation dairy farm, Valley-Drive Holsteins, in Lomira. Along with being active on her family's farm, she is a member of the Association of Women in Agriculture, B-Square 4-H Club, Fond du Lac Junior Holstein and WHA. Emily is a freshman at UW-Madison majoring in Spanish and life science communications with a certificate in agriculture business management.
Zoe Ertel, 20, of Plymouth is the daughter of Haley Gilles and Mike Ertel. She is the fourth generation at Smilaire Holsteins, a small but select herd owned by her grandparents, Scott and Paulette Ditter. Zoe served as the 2021 WHA Princess along with being on the Sheboygan County senior dairy bowl winning team. She works on the dairy and part-time at the Farm Wisconsin Discovery Center. She attends Lakeshore Technical College studying ag business and hopes to pursue a career in dairy sales.
Categories: Wisconsin, Livestock, Dairy Cattle