State FFA Convention
PREISSNER WINS WISCONSIN FFA FOOD SCIENCE AWARD
Kendra Preissner of the Kiel FFA Chapter is the 2019 Proficiency Winner in Food Science.
Kendra knew she wanted to do something in agriculture but did not know what until a mentor had mentioned the words “Food Science.” Right away she was interested. Preissner with the help of her family and mentor, jumped right into finding an project for her to get her foot in the door. Kendra found an organization that places students in the career path of their choice. That’s when she began working for Sargento Manufacturing.
At Sargento, Kendra helps test food products to ensure their quality and safety before they are accessed by the general public. This position is vital as a foodborne-illness outbreak could be detrimental to a food manufacturer. Kendra performs tasks such as analytical testing, microbiological testing and auditing. One of her favorite experiences was assisting on a Good Manufacturing Practices Walkthrough to audit employees working directly with the food.
Preissner’s advisors are David Friend and Erica Eickert.
Gold state finalists in this award area received cash awards made possible by state-level sponsorship from Seneca Foods Corporation.
Preissner will find out this fall if she is one of four national finalists and if she is, Kendra will complete in Indianapolis, IN in October at the National FFA Conventions. The four national finalist receive plaques and cash awards made possible through sponsorship for the National FFA Organization and National FFA Foundation.
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KIEL WINS STATE FFA MILK QUALITY AND PRODUCTS CONTEST
The Kiel FFA Chapter was named the state winning FFA Milk Quality and Products Career Development Event Team. Team members include: Jenna Schweitzer, Briana Riesterer, Laura Mueller and Jessica Sabrowsky. David Friend and Erica Eickert are their advisors. Claire Sipple of Denmark FFA was the top individual. His advisors are Mary Handrich and Martin Nowak.
Participants taste milk samples for flavor, identify 14 different types of cheese, score the degree of sediment on milk pads according to the USDA sediment standards for milk and milk products and evaluate milk samples using the California Mastitis Test. In addition to rating the quality of the milk, participants evaluate five milker part units and then score the number and severity of defects. They also complete a 50-question written exam on milk production and marketing.
The team will now compete for plaques and individual medals at the National FFA Milk Quality and Products Career Development Event to be held in October in Indianapolis, Indiana during the 92nd National FFA Convention.
The Milk Quality and Products Career Development Event is sponsored at the state level by Foremost Farms USA. On the National level this event is sponsored by Culver’s and Dairy Farmers of America.
The Wisconsin FFA Convention celebrates the accomplishments of the students, advisors and supporters. It hosts over 3,000 members, advisors and guests, representing 251 local agricultural education programs. This year’s convention was held June 10 to 13 at the Alliant Energy Center Exhibition Hall in Madison, Wis. The Wisconsin Association of FFA is a leading student organization due to the efforts of more than 20,825 students across that state. With a focus on premier leadership, personal growth and career success, students’ FFA activities complement agricultural classroom instruction by giving them an opportunity to apply their skills and knowledge while gaining real-world experience. These activities are dependent on donor funding through the Wisconsin FFA Foundation. For more information about Wisconsin FFA and the Wisconsin FFA Foundation, visit www.wisconsinffa.org or www.wisconsinffafoundation.org, become a fan of Wisconsin FFA Foundation on Facebook, or call 715-659-4807.
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Chelsea Braun, Kiel FFA, was named one of four state runners-up for the 2019 GROWMARK essay contest for FFA members. Each runner-up will receive a $125 award.
This is the 26th year for the program, sponsored by the GROWMARK System and FS member cooperatives, in conjunction with state FFA leaders, to help young people develop their writing skills, learn about current issues in agriculture, and understand the unique role of cooperatives. The theme of this year’s contest was “What does the future of agriculture look like to you, and what skills will you need to play a part in it?”
GROWMARK is an agricultural cooperative with annual sales of $7.3 billion providing agronomy, energy, facility planning, and logistics products and services, as well as grain marketing and risk management services throughout North America. Headquartered in Bloomington, Illinois, GROWMARK owns the FS trademark, which is used by affiliated member cooperatives.
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THREE STAR LEADER AWARD
The Three Star Leader Award is based on the local FFA chapter qualifying and receiving, in the current school year, at least a bronze rating in the National Chapter Award Program. The Three Star Leader Award recognizes a selected FFA member from a local chapter for being actively involved in chapter activities in Growing Leaders, Building Communities and Strengthening Agriculture.
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Lydia Luebke was named one of two finalists to represent Section 9 (northeast Wisconsin) on the state officer team. She took part in four interviews, a written knowledge test and an application process to earn the right to go before the Section 9 delegation for voting at the State FFA Convention!
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Jenna Schweitzer placed 5th at the 2019 Wisconsin FFA State Convention held in June in Madison.
Jenna's plans are to attend UW Platteville and study Agricultural Education with intentions of being an Agricultural Education Instructor
