Wisconsin FFA Alumni Convention Held

“Making Headlines in 2009” was the theme for the Annual Wisconsin FFA Alumni Association convention held this past weekend, February 13-14.  The convention was held at the Ho-Chunk Hotel & Casino in Baraboo, WI.  Sections 6 and 10 hosted the convention where over 275 people attended.

The event kicked off with a welcome reception on Friday evening followed by the auction and entertainment.  Saturday morning began with sectional meetings and the Alumni Business Meeting.

At the Awards Luncheon, Gary Olson, Executive Director for WI Agricultural Education & Workforce Development Council, addressed the group. 

Following our speaker the following awards were presented:

Legion of Merit Awards:
Legion of Merit Awards are given to recognize individuals who provide leadership and spend their own time and energies to help build the National FFA Alumni Association. To qualify for the Legion of Merit Citation, an individual must enroll or renew 15 new or more FFA Alumni members or five new life members. These awards were presented at the National FFA Alumni Convention last fall in Indianapolis.

Members honored at the 2008 National FFA Alumni Convention:

Chapter Grants:
FFA Chapters that have an active FFA Alumni can apply for Local Program Grants. These grants, given in amounts up to $1000, can be used for curriculum, equipment, FFA supplies or other needs of an FFA Chapter.

• Denmark
• Edgerton
• Oconto Falls
• Randolph-Cambria-Friesland

AFFILIATE MEMBERSHIP AWARDS
Awarded to affiliates that maintained 100% of last year’s membership with a minimum of 10 members. Members are based on those in good standing with the State and National Associations.

Bronze: increase of 7-14 members

Augusta – 10
Clinton – 9
Edgar – 8
Greenwood – 9
Hartford – 9
Janesville – 7
Kiel – 13
Lake Mills – 13
Lancaster – 10
Marshfield – 8

Silver: increase of 15-24 members

Denmark – 16
Evansville – 18
Fort Atkinson – 19

EAGLE AWARD
This award is given for the greatest annual percentage increase in total membership.

Greenwood

DR. V.O. MARTINSON AWARD
For greatest annual increase in membership

Fort Atkinson

ANN MARTINSON MEMORIAL AWARD
For greatest annual increase in life membership-based on total State and National dues paid.

Evansville

Newsletter –
Newsletters help an affiliate communicate with its members, administration, parents, media and community.

Gold Ratings:
Denmark
Sauk Prairie

Silver Ratings:
Stoughton

Newsletter Contest Winner – Sauk Prairie

Outstanding Affiliate –
The Outstanding Affiliate award is an overall evaluation of an affiliate’s activities.

Bronze Ratings:
Auburndale
Lena
Sun Prairie

Silver Ratings:
Brodhead
Mauston

Gold Ratings:
Denmark
Stoughton

The state winners were announced at the evening banquet.

State Runner Up: Stoughton
State Winner:  Denmark

Distinguished Contributor 
Distinguished Contributor recognizes the efforts of FFA Alumni members and supporters.  The award highlights the leadership and service to agriculture education, the FFA and the FFA Alumni.  This year’s Silver Recipient was Barb Lowe from Stoughton.

Sectional Representative Recognition-
Section 1- Brian Hoffelt
Section 2- Kristy Mayer and Bonnie Walters
            Section 3- Brent Bailey and Dan Filla
            Section 4- Bob Keough and Patrick Harker
            Section 5- Dan Monson and Jim Check
            Section 6- Kevin Larsen and Don Larsen
            Section 7- Lance Syring
            Section 8- Lucy Dusel and Ray Dusel
            Section 9- Janice Lefeber and Paul Hazaert
            Section 10- Jordan Streich and Joe Nelson
            President – Ken Seering
            President Elect – Ken Harter
            Vice President – Herman Seebandt
            Executive Director – Jayme Buttke

Completing terms from the council include: (receive plaques
Brent Bailey, Section 3
Lucy Dusel, Section 8
Janice Lefeber, Section 9

Ending terms from the council include: (receive certificates)
Don Larsen, Section 6
Kevin Larsen, Section 6
Jordan Streich, Section 10
Joe Nelson, Section 10

Introduce new section reps that were elected.
            Section 1:
            Section 3: Dan Follendorf
            Section 4:
            Section 6:        
            Section 7:
            Section 8: Amy Zernicke
            Section 9: Sherrie Schulte
            Section 10:
            Vice President: Brent Bailey
            President-Elect: Herman Seebandt
            President: Ken Harter
            Past President: Ken Seering

The following awards were presented at the evening banquet on Saturday.

Outstanding Achievement

This award recognizes local alumni members that have gone the EXTRA MILE for the benefit of the youth wearing the blue and gold jackets.  Hats off to the following three Gold rated alumni members, thanks for your unselfish energies for ag ed, FFA and the FFA Alumni.

Being awarded a Silver Certificate is Harley Stokstad from Stoughton.

Harley Stokstad is a lifetime member of the Stoughton FFA Alumni on the local, State and National levels.  He and his brother are instrumental in caring for the Alumni Food stand.  They maintain, store, supply, and work shifts in the food stand.  Harley is also active in the township of Rutland, serving as a supervisor & as a Planning Commission member. Harley has been active in the Farm Bureau as a delegate and director.  Their farm hosted the Day in the Country & also Breakfast on the Farm.  Harley actively restores & collects antique tractors   He has attended Sectional Alumni meetings and State and National Conventions.  Let’s congratulate Harley Stokstad as our 3rd outstanding Achievement Award recipient. 

Receiving a Gold plaque is Jerry Maurer from Verona.

Jerry Maurer has been a member of the Verona FFA Alumni since early 1980.  He has served on the Ag. Advisory Council and judged many FFA Contests.  Jerry is a great supporter for beginning farmers. He has placed ed- for employment students on his farm for training experience.  Also, he has hosted FFA work experience abroad students. The family formed a scholarship for beginning farmers and or students going into agriculture. Jerry has also supported State and National conventions by attending and providing woodworking items for the auctions.  The Family has one daughter who served as a State FFA Officer. Jerry also was a Section 5 representative.  Jerry has also been involved with many other fundraisers for the FFA and FFA Alumni.  Let’s congratulate Jerry Maurer as our 2nd Outstanding Achievement Award recipient.

Receiving a Gold plaque is Eric Treml, from Denmark.

Eric Tremel is a lifetime member of the Denmark FFA Alumni at the local, state and national levels.  Eric was a local president in 2007 and a board member for 4 years.  As either a chair or co-chair
he has coordinated tractor pulls, the Brown County fair food booth, farm tech Days food booth and the Congressional medal of honor breakfast.   These efforts have helped net more than $38,000 for use by FFA members in the community.  He has been a great supporter of the State and National FFA conventions, by donating FFA alumni baskets and items for the auctions.  He has also, supported the State and National conventions by purchasing items at the silent and live auctions.  Please congratulate Eric Treml as our top Outstanding Achievement Award winner.

Conclusion:
Ken Seering, President, gave his farewell speech and passed the gavel onto Ken Harter.  All were invited to attend the 2010 Wisconsin FFA Alumni Convention in Manitowoc, February 12-14, hosted by Sections 8 & 9.

The council would like to thank the convention committee and all of the affiliates in Section 6 and 10 for all of their hard work making the 2009 convention a success.  The convention co-chairs were Don Larsen and Sandy Larsen.  The convention wrapped up with the basket auction and entertainment.