State Pork Producers, Students Honored During Annual Meeting

Wednesday, February 9, 2022

The Wisconsin Pork Association has bestowed its top awards and scholarships to several members and students during the group's annual meeting last week. Held in conjunction with the Corn/Soy Expo in Wisconsin Dells, the WPA presented its Producer Honoree Award to Shannon Wolf of Wolf L&G Farms in Grant County, who is also a longtime board member of the organization.

This year's WPA Industry Award was presented to Jim Magolski along with his wife, Emily, who own Magolski Farms. Jim was a WPA board member and past president, whose leadership has been important in the progression on the swine industry in Wisconsin.

Farm broadcaster Brian Winnekins of WRDN Radio in Durand was presented with the Agri-Communicator award for his efforts in promoting the industry in the media.

And the Distinguished Public Service Awards went to State Senator Joan Ballweg and Rep. Tony Kurtz for their support of legislation that promotes agriculture in Wisconsin.

Delegates at the meeting also elected Christina Meylor as president; AV Roth, vice president; Brian Klubertanz, treasurer; and Ryan Cain, secretary.

Meanwhile, WPA scholarships were presented to Amber Fietzer, who will receive $500; and Brayden Peter, earning $400 for his studies. Amber will be attending Concordia University in the fall to major in biomedical sciences. Brayden will be attending the University of Wisconsin-Platteville for animal science.

A $1,500 Whitmore Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Caley Haas, who is studying Animal Science at the UW-Madison.

This year's $1,000 Buell Gunderson Scholarship will go to Brandon Weigel, who is a junior at UW-Platteville double majoring in animal science and agribusiness; and Mia Hillebrand, receiving a $750 scholarship, who is a student at Southwest Wisconsin Technical College in the ag business program.

And the Fredrich Memorial Scholarship winners were Maddie Erdmann, Micheal Schaal, and Maya Ehlen. Erdmann will receive a $1000 scholarship and is currently attending UW-Platteville working on becoming a high school agriculture teacher. Schaal will also receive $1000. He is still deciding between UW-River Falls, UW-Platteville, and Iowa State, to pursue a degree in dairy science. And Ehlen will receive a $750 scholarship at attend UW-River Falls for food science and technology.