The Wisconsin FFA Foundation celebrated the achievements of the 2017-18 campaign and its 35-year history at the 89th Wisconsin FFA Convention in Madison this month. The organization also said goodbye to three retiring board members and welcomed three new industry leaders to its roster.
On Tuesday evening, Foundation Board President Jon Anderson announced that
$503,548 was donated by hundreds of individual, industry and FFA-related
donors since June 2017. These funds continue to support many programs,
awards, agricultural education partnerships and other needs for members,
teachers and Alumni around the state.
A special reception was held on Tuesday evening to honor the Foundation’s
35th Anniversary, with many longtime supporters in attendance, as well as
past staff.
The Wisconsin Association of FFA announced there are now 21,173 members
enrolled in 251 chapters. Union Grove FFA was recognized on stage as a
state’s newest chapter, led by Advisor Carrie Jacobs.
“As we celebrate the Foundation’s 35th anniversary, we’re thrilled to
announce another strong year of support for agricultural education and
Wisconsin FFA members,” says John Hromyak, Wisconsin FFA Foundation
executive director. “The history of industry and individual support for FFA
is remarkable, and we’re grateful for the continued investment in our
talented members and the future of agriculture in Wisconsin.”
The board also said goodbye to retiring board members Travis Holt (Citizens
State Bank of Loyal), Janice Schyvinck (Equity Cooperative Livestock Sales
Association) and Scott Vosters (Bank of New Glarus) during its annual
convention board meeting on June 12. Holt served as the Foundation president
from 2015-16.
Three new members were welcomed to fill those seats: Joe Keller, Jessie
Kreke and Jesse Singerhouse.
Keller owns 800-acre Keller Farms, Inc. and Keller’s Kornucopia roadside
market near Prairie du Sac, and is also the warehouse manager at Wollersheim
Winery and Distillery. He is a University of Wisconsin – Platteville
graduate with a bachelor degree in Agri-business. Keller was an active high
school FFA member and is currently a Sauk Prairie FFA Alumni member.
Jessie Kreke is a senior marketing manager for Culver Franchising System,
LLC (Culver’s) in Prairie du Sac. She joined Culver’s in 2011 and leads
digital marketing initiatives. Through the Thank You Farmers Project, Kreke
works with local restaurants to fundraise for agriculture education. She
also collaborates with state and National FFA Organization and Foundation on
sponsorships and initiatives to connect Culver’s restaurants and FFA
chapters.
Singerhouse has been employed by Dunn Energy Cooperative in Menomonie for
the last 18 years, serving as manager of Administrative & Member Services
for the past six. He was a member of the Menomonie FFA and served as the
State FFA Reporter in 1994-95. Singerhouse also received his American FFA
degree. He remains active with the Menomonie FFA by coaching the livestock
judging team, helping with speaking contests and other career development
activities.
