Stars Over Wisconsin Shined at State FFA Convention

By Sara Schoenborn, Sales and Editorial Intern
Wednesday, June 18, 2008 10:46 AM CDT

As the starting time for the sixth session of the 2008 Wisconsin State FFA Convention drew near last Wednesday evening, a flood of blue and gold corduroy jackets filled the great hall. While the band and choir performed, eager faces waited patiently, excited for that one special moment.

It was almost time for the presentation: the acclamation of the four “Stars Over Wisconsin.” Excelling in his/her supervised agricultural experience (SAE), each star finalist was developing the skills and talents that compose exactly what it means to be in FFA n the skills and talents of life.

The assembly began with a special call to order. Past officers whose terms occurred anywhere between 1948 and 1992 performed the opening ceremony, with the upmost precision.

The transition continued, from the officers of the past to this year’s honored guests and distinguished awards. The ceremony drew to a close with the long-awaited star awards.

The 2007-2008 State Officer Team described these individuals as being on the cutting edge of technology and as bright individuals looking into the future.

Those stars that shined the brightest, and were therefore crowned as the 2008 Stars Over Wisconsin, are:

Star in Agriscience

Keith Bollinger of Cochrane-Fountain City FFA received this year’s Star in Agriscience award. Bollinger is the son of Allen and Dorothy Bollinger, who reside in Buffalo City.

His SAE involved volunteering with his agriculture instructors at school as well as with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Bollinger conducted water and soil quality assessments at nearby streams, assisted with the testing procedures of deer for Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) and also grew beetles in an effort to control Purple Loosestrife, an invasive wetland perennial known to inhibit water flow and overtake native plants and wildlife vegetation.

In an effort to gain more knowledge and experience relating to Wisconsin’s natural resources, he has also participated in the banding of geese and planting of trees.

Bollinger has been tremendously active in his local FFA chapter as the captain of both the wildlife management and the environmental and natural resources teams as well as the chairman of many other activities. This year alone, he received three gold individual proficiencies in agriculture education, wildlife management and environmental and natural resources.

“Get involved as much as you can,” advised Bollinger. “FFA is one of the most outstanding organizations out there.”

As for the future, Bollinger plans to attend UW-Stevens Point, majoring in wildlife ecology. He hopes to one day earn a master’s degree and pursue a career as a biologist or researcher with either the Wisconsin DNR or the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. It is also his goal to purchase approximately 200 acres of woodland, swamp and plains for the purpose of observing and studying wildlife.

This award was sponsored by Monsanto Chemistry, Seeds and Traits, and HaldemannHomme, Inc. Other finalists for Star in Agriscience were Amanda Anderson, Mount Horeb; Casey Clardy, Pulaski; Jeffery Steele, Randolph-Cambria-Friesland; and Melissa Meyer, Tri-County.

Star in Agribusiness

The recipient of the Star in Agribusiness is Justin Klinkner of Cashton FFA. Klinkner began his SAE around four years ago following in the footsteps of his parents, Gerald and Ann Klinkner, who are organic dairy farmers.

After a conversation with Ernie Peterson, owner of Cashton Farm Supply, Klinkner developed a detailed plan to create and operate a viable organic egg business. He and his father renovated a barn on their property and Klinkner applied and received a Farm Service Agency Youth Project Loan. Klinkner’s Organic Eggs was soon underway.

Klinkner stresses the importance of doing research and asking questions when beginning an important project, such as his own. “There’s a lot of learning involved, but it’s a lot of fun,” he said.

As a youth applicant, Klinkner was permitted to raise a minimum of 350 chickens rather than the typical 2,225 chicken minimum required to obtain organic certification.

Klinkner’s primary customer was Organic Valley, Inc., with whom he had generated a contract. His flock, which produced over 88,000 eggs last year, is helping to finance his continued education.

“I wanted to figure out how to pay for college,” he commented.

Klinkner recently completed his first year at Southwest Technical College. He is pursuing an associate’s degree in agricultural mechanics and plans to return to the family farm upon its completion.

The award was sponsored by Wisconsin Federation of Cooperatives. Bradley Schwanz, Amherst; Brittany Athey, Oconto Falls; Derek DeJager, Randolph-Cambria-Friesland; and Rachel Kroeplien, Sheboygan Falls, were also finalists for Star in Agribusiness.

Star in Agricultural Placement

Cody Carpenter of Darlington FFA has been honored as the Star in Agricultural Placement. Carpenter, son of Steve and Lisa Carpenter, conducted his supervised agricultural experience at his family’s farm, Red Rock View Dairy.

Over a period of four years, Carpenter combined both unpaid and paid labor hours, increasing them significantly each year. Some of his major responsibilities included milking, feeding, breeding/synchronization of heifers, herd health and custom field work.

Using profits from his paid labor hours, Carpenter purchased a vehicle along with two registered Holstein heifers and one registered Holstein cow and calf.

During his time in FFA, Carpenter has been extremely involved in his local chapter. He has served as sentinel, student advisor and president in addition to participating on the soil and dairy evaluation, parliamentary procedure and state-qualifying quiz bowl team.

“I would encourage (other participants) to be involved in shows,” he said, after reflecting on this time spent doing custom clipping. He says he is grateful for his experiences in the dairy industry and credits them for his many accomplishments.

Carpenter plans to attend UW-Madison in the fall, majoring in dairy science and agri-business. He also desires to join the dairy evaluation team on campus. Upon graduation, Carpenter says he will return home to become a part of the family business.

Sponsors of the Star in Agricultural Placement award were Wisconsin Federation of Cooperatives and Dairy Farmers of America, Inc. Other finalists included Audrey Borgen, Amherst; Thomas Horn, Brillion; Nathan Brandt, Cochrane-Fountain City; Curtis Horsens, Gillett; Ty Hildebrandt, Hustisford; Mark Franseen, Marshfield; Amanda Ambrosius, Pulaski; Ryan Zimmerman, Randolph-Cambria-Friesland; and CJ Jensen, Waupaca.

Star Farmer

This year’s Star Farmer is Dylan Stichert of Marshfield FFA. Stichert, who resides in Chili with his parents Dana and Denise, said that his extremely deep roots are what drove him to pursue agriculture.

He laughed, “When I probably should have been in a crib, I was out in the barn doing chores.”

After years of saving money he earned from steers, Stichert purchased 20 acres of nearby land. It was there that he has housed and cared for 11 Angus and 13 crossbred cows while still helping his family on the home farm.

Stichert has been very active in his local FFA chapter, particularly with the equine science and forestry teams.

He hopes to attend UW-Marshfield-Wood County to complete his general post-secondary requirements before transferring to UW-Stevens Point. It is there, he says, that he will earn a degree in forestry.

Someday Stichert plans to return home to pursue a career as a forester for the family logging business. He would also like to make improvements on the homestead on his land and eventually live there.

In addition, Stichert dreams of competing in the National Draft Horse Show in Columbus, Ohio, and maybe one day becoming one of Budweiser’s hitch drivers.

The Star Farmer award was sponsored by Alliant Energy Foundation and Wisconsin State Farmer. Ramanda Maves, Amherst; Justin Schmitt, Brillion; Tyler Mlsna, Cashton; Aaron Naedler, Granton; Callie Midthun, Lodi; Molly Heintz, New Richmond; Wes Vomastic, Pulaski; Kristen Bare, Sauk Prairie; and Jared Stillman, Weyauwega-Fremont, were also finalists for this award.

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