A popular agricultural fraternity group has honored one of its former Wisconsin members with a Hall of Fame induction. Longtime agriculture educator and former National FFA COO Bernie Staller is being recognized by Alpha Gamma Rho for his contributions to education, steadfast service to his professional work and exceptional service to mankind.
Staller was initiated into the Iota Chapter of AGR at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1962. He would go on to graduate with his bachelor's degree in Agriculture Education in 1965, and later his master's degree.
Bernie started his career serving as the agribusiness instructor and FFA advisor at Janesville-Parker High School for 11 years. During that time, enrollment in the agriculture education program grew from 40 to roughly 500 students and expanded from one to five instructors. He then joined the National FFA Foundation in July 1977 and became the executive director two years later.
Brother Staller climbed his way to chief operating officer for both the National FFA Organization and the National FFA Foundation, where he guided the FFA out of a 15-year decline and stabilized the organization's financial standing. He also improved staff and operations while expanding more services to state FFA associations and local chapters. His tenure also includes the National FFA's relocation to Indianapolis in 1998.
Categories: Wisconsin, Education