The Wisconsin FFA Alumni & Supporters Association’s 45th convention and annual meeting brought 320 people together earlier this month.
During the business meeting, members heard from Cheryl Zimmerman, Glenda Crook, Ellen Schutt, Kathy Hartmann Breunig, and Sally Ladsten, the leaders of Team Ag Ed. Missy Steffes of the New Holstein FFA Alumni & Supporters chapter is now the Vice President.
The executive team members moved to new positions: Nick Lowe of Stoughton as President; Christopher Blank of Cashton as President-Elect; and Terri Wilfert of Mishicot as Past-President.
Public Relations Award
This recognizes FFA Alumni and Supporter chapters that utilize various publicity tools to communicate with their members and community. The State Winner was Elkhorn, followed by 2nd place Granton, 3rd place Sauk Prairie, and tied for 4th were Denmark and Stoughton chapters.
Outstanding Ag Educator Award
FFA Alumni and Supporter Chapters can nominate their instructors for the Outstanding Agriculture Educator Award. Those earning recognition included Zeth Engel (DeForest), Joe Heinbuch (New Holstein), Kim Houser (Wisconsin Heights), Mariah Markhardt, Hallie Ren, and Walter Taylor (Oconto Falls), Dan Robinson and Paige Peterson (Lomira), Lori Rowe (Tigerton), and Troy Talford (Sauk Prairie).
Mary Handrich of Denmark earned the Outstanding Agriculture Educator Award.
Outstanding Young Member Award
This recognizes the efforts of members who are 35 or younger. Nominated for this award were Taylor and Evan Ensign (Colby), Mark Ladsten (Sauk Prairie), and Nicole Laabs (Denmark).
The State Winner of the Outstanding Young Member Award was Julia Schlimgen of DeForest.
Outstanding Chapters
Shell Lake FFA Alumni & Supporters earned the Outstanding State Chapter in the small division, with the Lomira Chapter as runner-up. The New Holstein FFA Alumni & Supporters won the large division, followed by 2nd place Oconto Falls, 3rd place Bonduel, and 4th place Sauk Prairie.
Elkhorn earned the National Outstanding Chapter Award followed by 2nd place Granton, 3rd place Denmark, and 4th place Stoughton. All four chapters will have their applications submitted to the national level of competition.
Outstanding Achievement
This went to Karen Schultz of Denmark, and she will advance to the national competition.
The Dr. V.O. and Ann Martinson Award goes to the FFA Alumni chapter with the greatest increase in lifetime members. Denmark FFA Alumni & Supporters is this year’s recipient.
Two individuals were recognized as Distinguished Contributor Award Winners: Kathy Hartmann-Breunig of Sauk Prairie, who is retiring as the Executive Director of the Wisconsin Association of Agricultural Educators, and Cheryl Steinbach, who was posthumously presented with this award as the former Executive Director of the Wisconsin FFA Alumni and Supporters. Pat Sternitsky accepted this award on behalf of the Steinbach family.
Retiring council members: Derek Trescher, Dave Clausen, Mason Gukenberger, and Past-President Bobbie Jo Montgomery.
The 2025-2026 Wisconsin FFA Alumni and Supporters Council representatives are:
- Section 1: Todd Coons (Shell Lake)
- Section 2: Agnes Buttke (Cadott) & David Meyer (Hudson)
- Section 3: Jaydon Lietzau (Sparta)
- Section 4: Rick Bockhop (Platteville) & Nick Huffman (Hollandale)
- Section 5: Jerry Wendt (Stoughton) & Dan Ziegler (Sun Prairie)
- Section 6: Brook Woodbury (Baraboo) & Matt Damm (Columbus)
- Section 7: William Litzer (Edgar) & Kimberly Kaiser (Marshfield)
- Section 8: Stacy Boettcher (Fremont) & Mark Kunde (Oshkosh)
- Section 9: Nicole Wallander (Kiel) & Kathy Schmidt (Brillion)
- Section 10: Jim Schneider (Campbellsport) & Mary Gundrum (Mayville)
