Wisconsin FFA Shines at 2007 National Convention

By Karen Lee, Managing Editor
Thursday, November 1, 2007 10:18 AM CDT

FFA was in the spotlight at the 80th National FFA Convention last week in Indianapolis, and the delegation from Wisconsin really shined.

American Star Award

A Pulaski FFA member topped the list of honorees when he was named the 2007 Star in Agricultural Agriscience winner by the National FFA Organization. Robert Bialozynski received one of the organization’s highest honors for his exploration into the production and benefits of ethanol.

During the convention, Bialozynski and three other finalists participated in interviews conducted by a panel of judges, who named the top candidate in each area. Those areas are American Star Farmer, American Star in Agribusiness, American Star in Agricultural Placement and American Star in Agriscience. Bialozynski was presented with the award during an onstage convention ceremony and received a plaque and an award of $4,000. All finalists received plaques and $2,000 each.

In the spring of 2002, Bialozynski began his exploration of ethanol production. His goals included efficiently producing ethanol from sugar crops, teaching others about ethanol production and eventually gaining employment at a private lab to continue his research.

With the support of his father, a wine maker, Bialozynski was able to start with the basic knowledge of fermentation and other resources. He was able to have success with producing ethanol from sugar crops using several different yeast strains and was also able to teach others. During his freshman year at college, he was able to earn a position as a technician in the DNA lab of BioDiagnostics. His research then changed to focus on another avenue, which includes making a high oil corn hybrid.

The 22-year-old plans to continue his work as a lab technician at BioDiagnostics until his graduation. He then hopes to earn his doctorate with an emphasis in biotechnology. His ultimate goal is to find a niche area of research that he is passionate about and start his own lab. He currently attends the UW-River Falls and is majoring in biotechnology.

Bialozynski is the son of Dean Bialozynski and Dawn Ryczkowsi and is a member of the Pulaski High School FFA, where his advisor is Jared Schaffner.

Three other Wisconsin FFA members competed as finalist for the American Star awards. They were: Lee Bushman, Cochrane-Fountain City FFA, American Star Farmer finalist; Andrew Blaser, Oconto Falls FFA, American Star in Ag Placement finalist; and Michael Schmidt, Randolph-Cambria-Friesland FFA, American Star in Agribusiness finalist.

Proficiency Awards

Wisconsin had five students named national winners in their Proficiency Award areas. Winning individuals include: Tyler Bradley, Fort Atkinson, Dairy Production; Tony Crescio, Randolph-Cambria-Friesland FFA, Diversified Crop Production; Dylan Stichert, Marshfield, Equine Science; Alex Zimmerman, Randolph-Cambria-Friesland FFA, Grain Production; and Sean VanderWaal, Kiel, Nursery Operations.

Spending most of his winter break a few years ago milking cows at a large Wisconsin dairy farm, Fort Atkinson FFA member Tyler Bradley says he gained a true appreciation for the industry. Bradley has discovered his favorite tasks take place in the hospital pen where he delivers calves and has gained expertise in herd health protocols. Sparked by this interest, he now also works with University of Wisconsin researchers and is majoring in dairy farm management through the UW-Madison Farm and Industry Short Course. Bradley plans to go on to complete a four-year degree in dairy science and continues to discern a career in veterinary medicine. Supporting him in his dreams are his parents, Norm and Kay, and his FFA advisors, Jeffrey Agnew and Gary Olson.

Handling mint, corn, carrots and onions, Randolph-Cambria-Friesland FFA member Tony J. Crescio works his family’s Wisconsin farm. Inspired to achieve excellence by watching videotapes of his state’s FFA convention proficiency winners, Crescio set his sights on mastering the operation’s spraying, irrigation, harvest, fertility management, and marketing programs. More specifically, he concentrated on learning the skills of soil testing and pesticide certification. Having come a long way toward mastering these areas, he is grateful for the support of his parents, John and Irma, and his FFA advisor, Keith Gundlach. Crescio is currently enrolled in a mechanical design program.

Marshfield FFA member Dylan Stichert manages his Wisconsin operation that includes 38 Belgians and six riding horses. Breaking colts, learning to shoe, and managing finances are all skills Stichert has developed as a result of his SAE. He has also learned to market his horses by participating in fairs and parades, including the prestigious Great Circus Parade in Milwaukee where Stichert’s hitch pulls a 100-year-old restored Wild Bill Hickok ticket wagon. While earning a college degree, he plans to raise draft horses and beef cattle and also become a forester in his family’s logging business. Supporting him in these goals are his parents, Dana and Denise, and FFA advisors, Mark Zee and Tim Heeg.

Expanding his corn acreage each year, Randolph-Cambria-Friesland FFA member Alex Zimmerman has learned as much about sound agricultural business practices as he has grain production. While gaining a detailed understanding in all areas of tillage and acquiring pesticide certification, he has also branched out into soil testing and sampling to establish a long-range fertility program to benefit yields. He set an early goal of increasing equity in the farm and is halfway to his goal of someday buying the Wisconsin operation from his father, Mark. Also sharing in his success is his mother, Barb, and FFA advisor, Keith Gundlach.

Serving a local family-owned greenhouse, nursery and landscape operation, Kiel FFA member Sean Robert VanderWaal has enjoyed a wide range of opportunities to develop his skills in the industry. One of his largest assignments is in potting, for which VanderWaal is asked to determine, mix and fill the correct soil mixture for literally thousands of different pots and trays. Outgoing by nature, VanderWaal is appreciative of the opportunities the nursery provides for practicing customer service skills. He intends to study agricultural education and biotechnology. Sharing in his success are his parents, Art and Candace, and his FFA advisor, David Friend.

Thirteen additional students from Wisconsin competed as national proficiency award finalists. They were: Steve Biel, Randolph-Cambria-Friesland FFA, Specialty Crop Production; Amanda Bulger, Pulaski FFA, Diversified Livestock Production; Sally Darvin, Waupaca FFA, Fruit Production; Brett Hausler, Stevens Point FFA, Agricultural Sales; CJ Jensen, Waupaca FFA, Ag. Mechanics Repair and Maintenance; Denise Johnson, Prairie Farm FFA, Sheep Production; Ben Klinkner, Cashton FFA, Swine Production; Justin Klinkner, Cashton FFA, Poultry Production; Mathew Mateske, Montello FFA, Agricultural Processing; Chris Pennings, Denmark FFA, Wildlife Production and Management; Sarah Siverling, Bloomer FFA, Emerging Agricultural Production; Joe Stender, Pulaski FFA, Diversified Agricultural Production; and Kayla Wesloski, Oconto Falls FFA, Ag. Mechanics Design and Fabrication.

National Chapter Awards

Twenty-Five Wisconsin FFA Chapters were recognized by National FFA as Three Star Chapters. This is the first year Wisconsin has had that many chapters receive this level of recognition. Three Star Chapters include: Barron, Big Foot, Black Hawk, Bonduel, Cashton, Cochrane-Fountain City, Elkhorn, Granton, Kiel, Lodi, Manawa, Marshfield, Montello, New Holstein, New Richmond, Prairie Farm, Randolph-Cambria-Friesland, Sauk Prairie, Spencer, Stevens Point, Stratford, Tri-County, Waupaca, Waupun, and Weyauwega-Fremont. Bloomer FFA was named a Two Star Chapter.

Wisconsin had six chapters as finalists for National Model of Innovation Awards in the following categories - Student Development: Big Foot FFA, Manawa FFA, Weyauwega-Fremont FFA; Chapter Development: Cochrane-Fountain City FFA, Randolph-Cambria-Friesland FFA, Waupaca FFA; and Community Development: Cochrane-Fountain City FFA.

Big Foot FFA of Walworth was named Model of Innovation winner in Student Development at the Convention. The Big Foot FFA Chapter values the leadership skills that students gain by attending leadership workshops and conferences. As part of its Personal Growth Scholarship Program, Big Foot FFA hosted numerous fundraisers to raise scholarship money and pay for students to attend leadership workshops. During the past year, the chapter increased the scholarship fund by 66 percent. This helped the chapter to send 43 members to at least one leadership conference last year.

H.O. Sargent Award

Chris Compean from the Randolph-Cambria-Friesland FFA was a finalist for the National H.O. Sargent award.

Agriscience Awards

The National FFA Organization chose Melissa Goers of Gillett as the 2007 Agriscience Teacher of the Year.

The award honors an agricultural education instructor who brings excellence of curriculum and presentation to the agriscience classroom and FFA activities. Goers is the agricultural science instructor and FFA advisor for the Gillett FFA chapter in Gillett.

Through hands-on experiences Goers helps her students understand the science connection. Every student in the agriscience program at Gillett Secondary School experiences various science activities and experiences.

“One of the reasons we integrated more scientific methods into the curriculum was to better prepare our students for their college career or the workforce through technical and career education focusing on the scientific concepts that are directing the future of agriculture,” Goers said.

The department has expanded to include three new science-driven courses, including equine science, aquaculture and veterinarian science. Students also participate in the food science class, where they process tomatoes into salsa, create their own spaghetti noodles and process bratwursts.

During the past four years, enrollment in agriscience courses at Gillett has doubled, with more than 105 FFA members on the chapter roster. The addition of the agriscience classes has also contributed to the rise in the scores for the Wisconsin Knowledge and Concepts Exam.

“Positive changes in the department and chapter have shown great improvement in the attitudes and types of students the program attracts,” Goers said.

In the student division, Christy Rukamp, Barron FFA was a National Agriscience finalist.

Agriscience Fair

Abby Mickelson and Maggie Mickelson, Barron FFA, received first gold in Zoology - Team Grades 7, 8 and 9 at the National Agriscience Fair. In the Microbiology/BioChemistry/Food Science - Team Grades 7, 8 and 9 category, Aaron Zimmerman and Kyle Herman, Spencer FFA, received second gold.

Also participating in the National Agriscience Fair were: Environmental Science: Individual Grades 10, 11, 12 - Cara Robinson, Manawa; Team Grades 7, 8 and 9 - Jordan Buss and Wyatt Phillips, Spencer; Zoology: Individual Grades 7 and 8 - Amanda Arnold, Barron; Individual Grades 10, 11, 12 - Brianna Kinney, Big Foot; Botany: Individual Grades 7, 8 and 9 - Zachary Markhardt, Black River Falls; Individual Grades 10, 11, 12 - Nikki Rukamp, Barron; Engineering: Individual Grades 7, 8 and 9 - Brandon Pennings, Denmark; Individual Grades 10, 11, 12 - Jesse Dahir-Kanehl, Sauk Prairie; Team Grades 7, 8 and 9 - Faythe Bauer and Ashley Stini, Spencer; and Team Grades 10, 11 and 12 - Daniel Feldhacker and Lucas Hamernick, Barron.

Agri-Entrepreneurship

Dylan Minnig, 18, of Randolph, is one of 10 students from across the country who received a National Agri-Entrepreneurship Award and $1,000 at the National FFA Convention. The award program recognizes young people who start or are planning to start businesses.

Minnig, the son of Peter Minnig and Julie De Vries, owns and operates Dylan’s Firewood, an enterprise that produces and sells firewood by the cord and bundle. The business began in the fall of 2003 and has expanded to sell wood chips and sawdust. Minnig began after helping his grandfather cut wood and sell it to neighbors.

“Since I started, I have explored new ways to make extra money from my business,” Minnig said. “I expanded last fall when I rented a wood chipper with the intention of offering the service of cleaning fence lines and waste wood from farms and for homeowners.”

Minnig advertises his products and services in the local newspaper as well as by posting his business cards on store and cooperative bulletin boards. He finds most of his customers while delivering other jobs. He would like to expand his marketing tools by adding a website.

Minnig is a 2007 graduate of Randolph High School. While in high school, Minnig was active in his local FFA chapter, serving as a member of several committees and attending numerous activities. Minnig was the 2006 Wisconsin State Agri-Entrepreneur award winner. He is an active member of several local clubs and organizations, including the Randolph Snowmobile Club and the Red Cross Blood Drive. He is studying to be an electrician at Western Wisconsin Technical College.

Officer candidate

Jessica Berger, Bonduel FFA, represented Wisconsin as the state’s National FFA Officer Candidate. Berger was one of the final 20 individuals who moved on to the final rounds of competition.

Membership awards

Jessica Berger, past state FFA officer, accepted the award for Wisconsin FFA in recognition for a membership increase in 2006-07.

Career Development Events

Teams and individuals from around the state competed in the National Career Development Events.

- Speaking Results: Prepared Speaking - Kayla Schmidt, Gresham FFA, fourth place gold; Job Interview - Samantha Todd, Cochrane-Fountain City FFA, seventh place gold; Parliamentary Procedure - Marshfield FFA, silver; Creed Speaking - Laura Kawleski, Pulaski FFA, bronze; Extemporaneous Speaking - Jacob Greshik, Cochrane-Fountain City FFA, bronze.

- Gold Rated CDE Teams: Food Science and Technology - Barron FFA, fifth place gold; Amy Kringle, second place gold individual; Abby Amundson, gold individual; Agricultural Mechanics - River Falls FFA, eighth place gold; Parker Heise, gold individual; Chris Matzek, gold individual; Todd Peterson - gold individual; Dairy Cattle Evaluation - Deforest FFA, 10th place gold; Julia Cooper, gold individual; Justin Langer, gold individual; Livestock Evaluation - Luxemburg-Casco, gold; Matthew Colle, gold individual; Michael Colle, gold individual

- Silver CDE Teams: Agricultural Sales - Beaver Dam FFA; Agronomy - Hillsboro FFA; Dairy Cattle Handling - Aaron Bohn, Lake Mills FFA; Environmental Science and Natural Resources - Prairie Du Chien FFA, Nate Mezera and Kelly Nelson, gold individuals; Farm Business Management - Brillion FFA; Floriculture - Badger FFA, Nadine Cummings, gold individual; Forestry - D.C. Everest FFA, TJ Dahkle and Hunter Wojcik, gold individuals; Horse Evaluation - Baraboo FFA, Rachel Messmer and Whitney Sonsalla, gold individuals; Meats Evaluation - River Ridge FFA; Nursery/Landscape - Elkhart Lake FFA, Ashley Schneider, gold individual; Poultry Evaluation - Brillion FFA, Ogden Holschbach, gold individual

- Bronze CDE Teams: Agricultural Communications - St. Croix Central FFA; Agricultural Issues - Colby FFA; Dairy Foods - Hillsboro FFA; Marketing Plan - Brillion FFA

Band, Chorus and Talent

The following Wisconsin FFA members were selected to participate in the National FFA Band, Chorus and Talent programs.

- National FFA Band - Lindsey Neby, Cumberland FFA; Carolyn Horst, Hartford FFA; Bradley Goplin, Osseo-Fairchild FFA; Adam Klefstad, Prairie Farm FFA; Nicole Kohlmann, Valders FFA

- National FFA Chorus - Kayla Ruf, Darlington FFA; Trevor Odeen, Loyal FFA; Marcus Sutter, Mt. Horeb FFA; Dayna Riesterer, Valders FFA; Zachary Westenberg, Watertown FFA; Jeremiah Micolichek, West DePere FFA

- National FFA Talent - Kayla Menn, Brookwood FFA; Jeremy Pollard, Badger FFA

American FFA Degree

On Saturday, 150 Wisconsin FFA members received their American FFA Degrees (see corresponding list). To obtain the degree, a student must earn and invest $7,500 or have earned and productively invested at least $1,500 and worked 2,250 hours in excess of scheduled class time.

National FFA Delegates

Four students joined the State FFA Officer team as official voting delegates. They were: Stephanie Geiger, Brillion; Jenn Krultz, Greenwood; Sara Wavrunek, Denmark; and Arynn Rabas, Oconto Falls.

The Constitutional Amendments that were to be considered by the National Delegates concerning the requirements for degrees and the voting procedures of the delegates were not acted upon since the notification of these amendments were sent to State Associations on March 2 instead of March 1. These will then go back to the National FFA Board of Directors and may be considered in next year's delegate business.

Each of the final committee reports will be forwarded on to the National FFA Board of Directors and staff. The committee reports are only recommendations from the delegates. They are not put into effect immediately as more consideration of the recommendations is needed. Some of these recommendations may come back to the delegates of the next convention for further consideration once more research and work has been done on the recommended action.

The Delegate Issues included: National FFA Week of Service, Freshman FFA Member Opportunities, Middle School FFA Member Opportunities, Agricultural Literacy, Charter Chapter Dues Waiver, and Service Based Regional Leadership Conferences.

Alumni Convention

The 2007 National FFA Alumni Convention was held simultaneously in Indianapolis.

Diane Amera, Stoughton, was elected as the Central Region Representative on the National FFA Alumni Council.

For National Scrapbook Awards, Black Hawk and Stoughton were awarded gold, silver went to Bonduel and Tigerton received bronze.

Wisconsin FFA Alumni received a bronze Outstanding State FFA Alumni Affiliate award. Denmark and Stoughton affiliates were awarded gold and Brodhead received silver.

Outstanding Achievement Award Recipients from Wisconsin were: Paul Hazaert, Denmark and Rhonda Wethal, Stoughton.

In membership awards Denmark was named the affiliate with the most alumni members and the affiliate with the most life members. The Wisconsin FFA Alumni won the state affiliate awards in each of those categories.

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