'Stars' Honored at FFA Convention

By Amber Elliott, Editorial Intern
Monday, June 25, 2007 10:32 AM CDT

The sixth session of the 2007 Wisconsin State FFA Convention proved to be a special one for four FFA members. The session began with past state officers performing opening ceremonies and session ended with the Stars Over Wisconsin being announced.

The theme for the 78th Wisconsin FFA convention was, ?Together we can, together we will.? FFA members brought this theme to life. Throughout the four-day convention a record setting 3,409 members, advisors and guests made their way to the Alliant Energy Center in Madison.

This year?s Star Over Wisconsin recipients are:

Star in Agriscience

Christy Rukamp of Barron FFA received the Star in Agriscience award. Rukamp is the daughter of Patrick and Susan Rukamp; she lives on a rural non-farm where her family raises horses.

Rukamp?s supervised agricultural experience (SAE) is in the area of poultry production. She studied the effects of different colored lights on turkey poults growth rates. She also completed a study looking at the role of inoculation method on the contraction of salmonella reading in turkey poults.

Her SAE began three years ago when she was a sophomore in high school; when her large animal science class worked on a feed trial involving turkey poults. ?This project sparked my interest in research, and my passion has grown from there,? Rukamp commented. With her research Rukamp presented her results to scientist at the Jennie-O Turkey store, in XXX. The Jennie-O Turkey store is now using her data in their research to benefit poultry producers everywhere. She has also worked with many vets in her area that have helped her conduct research.

Although Rukamp is very busy with research she finds time to participate in other activities. She has been in FFA for five years and served as president last year. She is also a news intern with a local newspaper. Rukamp is active in 4-H, Key Club, Young Ambassadors Chambers, National Honors Society, and Conservation Club.

This fall Rukamp will be an honors freshman at UW-River Falls where she will have a biology major with a biomedical option and a minor in chemistry. Upon graduation from UW-River Falls, she plans to attend graduate school at UW-Madison and possibly medical school.

One piece of advice Rukamp offered to other youth is, ?Do not let age stop you from performing research. Don?t let people make you think that your ?high school? research is any less valuable to agriculture than the research being conducted by university researchers, all research is valuable.?

This award was sponsored by Monsanto Chemistry, Seeds and Traits, and Haldeman-Homme, Inc. Michelle Heeg, Marshfield, was also a finalist for Star in Agriscience.

Star in Agribusiness

Jay Greenburg from Oconto Falls FFA is this year?s recipient of the Star in Agribusiness. Jay is the son of Jay and Debbie Greenburg of Suring.

His SAE consists of lawn care and landscaping. He began in seventh grade cutting neighbors lawns to earn some extra money and it has grown from there. Because Greenburg lives near a lake, many of his customers are vacationers that do not want to worry about taking care of their lawns while on vacation. Greenburg?s business, Jay?s Lawn Care Service, owns a truck and trailer, two lawn mowers, trimmer, leaf blower, and yard implements. He provides services ranging from simply cutting grass to fertilizing and leaf removal.

?Not only did I have to cut the grass, but I also learned how to do the maintenance on my machinery,? Greenburg said.

Greenburg?s future plans include attending Michigan Technological University in the fall majoring in mechanical engineering. Once graduating he hopes to work for a tractor company and possibly open his own engineering firm in the future.

Greenburg said there are three things you need to be successful in owning your own business, ?One is to be able to manage your time. Another is to be able to be responsible because you are your own boss. And the third and final is to have good communication skills to be able to work with your customers.?

This award was sponsored by Wisconsin Federation of Cooperatives. Other finalists in the Star in Agribusiness were Nate Trzebiatowski, Amherst; and Dylan Minnig, Radolph-Cambria-Friesland.

Star in Agriculture Placement

This year?s Star in Agriculture Placement is Todd Herricks of Cashton FFA. Herricks is the son of Tony and Shirley Herricks. Although his family lives in town he was able to work at his uncle and aunt?s dairy farm.

Herricks SAE started on his uncle?s 450-cow dairy operation, Herricks Dairy Farm, Inc. He helps with just about everything on the farm from breeding cows to giving medication. Herricks recently took a course in artificial insemination, so he is now certified and does the majority of the herd?s breeding. He is also a great asset to the farm because of his knowledge of the Spanish language. He is able to communication with the farm?s Spanish-speaking hired hands. ?I steadily learned new jobs around the farm which eventually made me a very convenient employee,? Herricks commented.

Herricks has been very involved in his FFA chapter, serving as an officer for the past two years. He has helped plan numerous events from FFA week to a Kiss-the-Pig activity.

This fall Herricks will be attending Winona State University in Minnesota, majoring in education. After college he plans to become a physical education teacher along with coaching sports at a local high school. He would like to live and work close to his uncle?s farm so he can still help out in the busy summer months.

This award was sponsored by Wisconsin Federation of Cooperatives and Dairy Farmers of America, Inc. Other Star in Agriculture Placement finalists were Michael J. Hoffmann, Amherst; Brandon Styczynske, Bonduel; Tyler Stenjem, Cambridge; Tyler Bradley, Fort Atkinson; Dan Griesbach, Marshfield; Jessica Smith, Montello; Rodney Hillskotter, Weyauwega-Fremont; Sam Speerstra, Whitehall; and Nick Meier, Wisconsin Heights.

Star Farmer

Abraham Arndt of Janesville Craig FFA was honored as the Star Farmer. Arndt is the son of Mary and Robert Arndt of Janesville, where he grew up on a diverse beef and crop farm.

Arndt bought his first Angus steer and heifer when he was eight years old, ever since he has been working to increase his heard size. He now owns 42 registered Angus, that are used primarily for show.

He learned from his father and older brother. ?I learned from what he did wrong,? Arndt said about his older brother. His family?s operation consists of 3,500 acres and 1,000 head of steers. He has shown his beef at the Rock County 4-H Fair since he bought his first steer.

His goal is to breed the grand champion steer at the Rock County Fair and to one day show at the Wisconsin State Fair.

Throughout high school Arndt participated in many judging contests through FFA, including going to the national soils contest. He also participated in football, track and wrestling.

Arndts future goals include majoring in animal science and farm business management at Iowa State University and then returning home to continue farming. He hopes to one day join Arndt Farms, Inc.

This award was sponsored by Alliant Energy Foundation and Wisconsin State Farmer. Other finalists for the Star Farmer were Aryn Higgins, Amherst; Derek Trescher, Cashton; Michael Maier, Fennimore; Andy Boeke, Juda; Denise Johnson, Prairie Farm; Kelly Brown, Randolph-Cambria-Friesland; Steve Bare, Sauk Prairie; Maureen Leahy, Shullsburg; and Wrayanne Hersha, Spooner.

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