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Students Named State FFA Officers

JUNE 29, 2007--Seven of 11 FFA state officers named at the 78 th annual Wisconsin FFA convention in June are students at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences.

Andrew Christenson, a dairy science major from Amery, was named FFA president. Aaron Dietsche, an agricultural studies major and dairy science/agronomy minor from Bloomer, was selected as FFA state sentinel. FFA state secretary is Whitney Peissig of Colby, who is a marketing communications/agriculture emphasis major. Four FFA state vice presidents include: Alex Patten, an agricultural business major from Boyd; Preston Green, an agricultural business major from Richland Center; Kaleb Santy, an agricultural education major from Pulaski; and Sean VanderWaal, an agricultural education major from Kiel.

The officers begin training in late June at the WAAE Summer Conference and then head to Illinois to the National Leadership Conference for State Officers.

Merle Richter, a UWRF instructor and supervisor of agricultural education student teachers during spring 2007, was inducted into the Wisconsin FFA Hall of Fame. Inductees are recognized for their leadership and impact on the state FFA association and serve as an example of service for all FFA members.

Christy Rukamp, a UWRF biology/pre-medicine major from Barron , was named the State FFA Star in AgriScience. The award recognized her research in poultry production. Rukamp conducted studies on newborn poults using identical cages and equipment from her FFA chapter's lab and poults from the same hatch number and gender donated by The Jennie-O-Turkey Store. Runner up for the star award was Michelle Heeg, a UWRF biology major from Marshfield .

Several UWRF alumni received award at the state convention as well. Jerry Wendt, a 1982 UWRF graduate and teacher at Stoughton High School, received an FFA Distinguished Service Award for his outstanding support of agricultural education. Steve Stoppelmoor, a 1994 graduate of UWRF and a teacher at Cochrane-Fountain City High School received an Honorary State FFA Degree as a non-member who is committed to youth leadership development. Melissa Goers, an agricultural education graduate of UWRF In 2001 and a teacher at Gillett High School receive the Agriscience Teacher Award, given to a teacher who demonstrates excellence in classroom curriculum and instruction.

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Last updated: Thursday, 22-Apr-2010 16:08:23 Central Daylight Time