LOEHRKE’S LETTER Newsletter for the Wisconsin Association of FFA – Section Eight

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

State Convention Highlights

2020-2021 Theme

Membership Goal

Travel Blog

What Have State Officers Been Up To

Follow Us on Social Media

National Convention

New & Upcoming

Meet the Officer Team

Issue 1 | September 2020

I am so excited to serve as this year’s Wisconsin FFA State Secretary, representing the Great Section Eight! My name is Katie Loehrke (Lur-Key) and I am from the Weyauwega-Fremont FFA Chapter. I am currently a sophomore at the University of Wisconsin – River Falls majoring in Agricultural Education with a minor in Dairy Science.

I grew up on my family’s beef hobby farm, where I began my first Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) of Beef Production. From there, my SAE’s have extended into Agricultural Education and Service Learning. Today, my most active SAE is Dairy Production, which entails, milking, feeding, and completing other farm chores at a local dairy.

Now, I first joined FFA because of it being a family tradition, with my own Ag teacher teaching my parents! Throughout these past seven years in FFA, I have learned that FFA is so much more than just an organization. FFA is a family where students, from all backgrounds unite to explore the best versions of themselves, the impact they can make on others, and the world. The FFA constructs a path for students in premier leadership, personal growth, and career success through agricultural education. It is a legacy that runs deep, creating the next generation of agricultural leaders!

I cannot wait to meet you all and the rest of the members, advisors, parents, alumni, and supporters from across the state! Please reach out to me anytime throughout the year at, kloehrke@wisconsinffa.org or (715) 281-0168. I wish you all the best as we start the school year and tackle these unusual times! May we each find the best in every

situation! 😊

Katie Loehrke

Hey, Hey Wisconsin FFA!

Highlights from State Convention St

ate

Deg

ree

Rec

ipie

nts

Antigo Tyler A. Schroepfer Bonduel Trinity A. Brede Alexia A. Folkman Emma J. Toellner Joe R. Wageseter Bowler Zachary D. Fehrman Lane Schultz Clintonville Lindsey Kroening

Freedom Grace Angotti Brooklyn L. Pynenberg New London Peter Gorman Brayden F. Hahn Emily R. Smolinski Oshkosh North Paige M. Obershaw Pulaski Allison E. Brown Kala M. Reed

Dylan M. Ruechel Alena A. Strassburg Paige O. Willer Seymour Macklyane Gilson Lila Kilsdonk Waupaca Eryn L. Butzin Everlah A. Riley Weyauwega-Fremont Katie E. Bleck Mason C. Marquette

Kloe Miller Jakob E. Mills Lane F. Nett Winneconne Evelyn Brzozowski Matthew A. Crowley Mersadie Konow Nadia B. Meyerhofer Morgan O’Connell Amber R. Ryan Morgan Selwitschka

FFA Choir Members Aaron Schaal – Bonduel Riley Siegfried – Shawano Alex Bartel – Weyauwega-Fremont Hannah Timm – Weyauwega-Fremont Hannah Wilkinson – Winneconne Mersadie Konow – Winneconne Morgan Selwitschke - Winneconne

FFA Band Members Mena Schoneck – Clintonville Corrin Liptak – Coleman Ben Stone – Omro Alana Krolow – Shawno Amelia Rademacher – Shawno McKenzie Trinko – Shawano Austin Bartel – Weyauwega-Fremont Brayden Grimm – Weyauwega-Fremont Mason Soerens – Weyauwega-Fremont Ryan Ames – Weyauwega-Fremont Jodie Weyland – Winneconne Mary Lewandowski – Wittenberg- Birnamwood

Three Star Leaders Trinity Brede – Bonduel Zachary Fehrman – Bowler Grace Angotti – Freedom Callie Oltz – Manawa Brayden Hahn – New London Lili Kilsdonk – Seymour Everlah Riley – Waupaca Ashley Johnson – Weyauwega-Fremont Amber Ryan - Winneconne

Talent Competition Riley Siegfried - Shawano

Highlights from State Convention

Proficiencies Ag. Mechanics Repair & Maintenance (P)

• Sam M. Sinclair (SF 3) Oconto Falls

• Peter T. Gorman (SF 4) New London Agricultural Education

• Katie Loehrke (SF 4) Weyauwega-Fremont Agricultural Processing (Combined)

• Mason Marquette (SF 1) Weyauwega-Fremont

• Mason D. Soerens (SF 3) Weyauwega-Fremont Agricultural Services (Combined)

• Eli J. Inman (SF 3) Bonduel Agriscience Research – Integrated Systems

• Kayla M. Reed (SF 2) Pulaski Beef Production (E)

• Anna Doyle (SF 1) Waupaca Beef Production (P)

• Katie Loehrke (SF 2) Weyauwega-Fremont

• Claire Duch (SF 5) New London Dairy Production (P)

• Jessica Magdanz (SF 4) Weyauwega-Fremont Diversified Agricultural Production (Combined)

• Peter T. Gorman (SF 2) New London Diversified Crop Production (P)

• Peter T. Gorman (SF 2) New London Diversified Horticulture (Combined)

• Kloe Miller (SF 4) Weyauwega-Fremont Environmental Science & Nat’l Resources (Combined)

• Kayla M. Reed (SF 1) Pulaski Equine Science (E)

• Alexis Koeppler (SF 3) Waupaca Equine Science (P)

• Beatrice J. Walsh (SF 3) Weyauwega-Fremont

• Ava F. Johnson (SF 4) Weyauwega-Fremont

• Karyn E. Morrissey (SF 5) Waupaca Food Service (Combined – State Only)

• Noah H.C. Bestul (SF 4) Bowler

*SF=State Finalist *E=Entrepreneurship *P=Placement

Forage Production (Combined)

• Alexander W. Orr (SF 1) Waupaca

• Peter T. Gorman (SF 2) New London

• Sarah E. Heideman (SF 5) New London Grain Production (Combined)

• Peter T. Gorman (SF 4) New London

• Sarah E. Heideman (SF 5) New London Nursery Operations (Combined)

• Tyler Giddings (SF 3) Wittenberg-Birnamwood Organic Agriculture (Combined – State Only)

• Verena I. Bartel (SF 1) Waupaca

• Alexander W. Orr (SF 2) Waupaca

• Clara J. Sedlar (SF 3) Weyauwega-Fremont Poultry Production (Combined)

• Abigail C. Wheaton (SF 3) Weyauwega-Fremont Service-Learning

• Ashley R. Loehrke (SF 2) Weyauwega-Fremont Specialty Animal Production (Combined)

• Kaitlyn T. Banner (SF 3) Weyauwega-Fremont

• Kaelyn B. Sumner (SF 4) Pulaski Swine Production (E)

• Jessica Magdanz (SF 1) Weyauwega-Fremont Vegetable Production (Combined)

• Lindsey R. Kroening (SF 4) Clintonville

Highlights from State Convention

Agriscience Fair Animal Systems – Division 4 Claire Duch & Rachel Weyland - New London – Advance to Nationals Food Products & Processing – Division 5 Brayden Hahn – New London - Silver

STAR Awards STAR Farmer Finalists Everlah Riley (2nd) Waupaca Lane Nett* Weyauwega-Fremont STAR in Agricultural Placement Finalists Peter Gorman - New London STAR in Agriscience Finalists Kayla Reed (1st) Pulaski

WI FFA Foundation Scholarship Blain’s Farm & Fleet - Jessica Magdanz – Weyauwega-Fremont

Junior High Essay Contest Hannah Newsome (1st) Waupaca

Na

tion

al C

hap

ter

Aw

ard

s Overall

• Waupaca (1st)

• Weyauwega-Fremont (2nd)

• Freedom (8th)

• Manawa (10th) Strengthening Agriculture

• Waupaca (1st)

• Weyauwega-Fremont (4th)

• Manawa (5th)

• Freedom (6th) Building Communities

• Waupaca (1st)

• Weyauwega-Fremont (2nd)

• Freedom (9th)

Growing Leaders

• Weyauwega-Fremont (1st)

• Manawa (2nd)

• Waupaca (3rd) Gold Rated-Advancing to Nationals Freedom Manawa Waupaca Weyauwega-Fremont Winneconne

Food For America Waupaca (1st) Manawa (2nd) Weyauwega-Fremont (3rd)

Silver Rated Bonduel Bowler New London Seymour

Membership Awards Largest % of School Population Bowler (2nd) (51.0%) Highest Increase in Section Oshkosh North (+37 members)

P.R.I.D.E. Award Winners *Promote. Recruit. Inspire. Develop. Educate *10+ Chapter Members Increase

Bowler Marion New London Oshkosh North

Shawano Weyauwega-Fremont Winneconne Wittenberg-Birnamwood

And the 2020-2021 WI FFA Theme is …

This past year has surely thrown some curve balls at our members. There is no doubt things always get in the way of our plans or goals. As FFA members, we are #UNSTOPPABLE by continuing the legacy of this great organization, finding ways around those obstacles put in our paths, and always continuing to reach for excellence. Throughout the year share what this theme means to you by using the hashtag: #wiffaunstoppable on social media to share this

10 Reasons to Join FFA 1. Resume Builder 2. Hands on Experience 3. Friends for Life 4. Career Preparation 5. Premier Leadership 6. Travel

7. Scholarships & Grants 8. Community Service 9. Agricultural Knowledge 10. Conferences & Conventions

WI State Officer Travel Blog

State officers switch off week by week to share a blog. These short stories are based on our adventures throughout the year and other inspirations! Scan the QR code to read up on the latest blogs!

*For the full theme video, check out Wisconsin Association of FFA on Facebook! You do not want to miss it!

What Have the State Officers Been Up To?

• Celebration cookie as 1st day as a State Officer

• Team Escape Room challenge in Marshfield o (We made it with time left!)

• WI FFA Foundation Southern Golf Outing

• 2020 State Convention Awards Distribution

• Zoom Conferences with local government officials (photo with Senator Tammy Baldwin)

• Team social media photos for announcing theme

• Jumping for joy during our first day of wearing our official state officer jackets

• Virtual State Officer Summit through the National FFA

Facebook: Wisconsin Association of FFA Wisconsin FFA – Section 8

Instagram: Wisconsin Association of FFA Wi FFA Section 8

Snapchat: wisconsin_ffa

Join Virtually October 27-29, 2020 Scan the QR code for more information on activities and registration provided on the National FFA website!

Follow on Social Media!

Feel free to reach out anytime for questions, comments, concerns, information, or if you would like me to attend a FFA chapter activity!

Email: kloehrke@wisconsinffa.org Cell: (715) 281-0168

New & Upcoming in 2020!

Virtual - Chapter Officer Workshop (COW)

Virtual - Sectional Leadership Workshop (SLW)

Chapter officers, get ready to engage with your state officer! This new interactive workshop will touch on topics such as teamwork, communication, public relations, how to recruit and motivate members, and more! More information coming soon!

Grab your devices and saddle up for the rodeo! Get ready to unite with FFA members from across the section to tackle agriculture advocacy and careers, diversity and inclusion, community service, goal setting, time management, and more! More information coming soon!

Virtual – FIRE Conference 7th, 8th, and 9th graders: this one is for you! Kickstart your year by learning basic knowledge and history, professionalism, and unique opportunities available for your journey in FFA! Get ready for your “Journey to the Jungle!”

Please keep in mind, the 2020-2021 calendar is under construction. As we know, things will look different at the chapter, state, and national levels.

Q E C B G V W X J O Q N P C F

E R U T L U C I R G A X I A P

N S C L O P W B J T O N H R S

L O Y O B Z A G I N O X S E Y

H Y I L R N H O P I I J R E G

P P Y T Q N N Q T L I F E R T

C M P U N A G I Q Z T G D S P

L M E A L E D O A S J G A U X

W T F B V A V B L F A N E C T

D A L Y R U H N R D C K L C K

T U T T D O L R O P K M U E G

E C O R D U R O Y C E K Z S B

E G D E L P S A J Z T K Q S W

D K M D B N F V I B S C R H C

N Y X A O F M Q B Z X I J O E

FFA Wordsearch Agriculture Banquet Blue Career Success Convention Corduroy Corn Gold FFA Jackets Leadership National Blue Pledge Tradition WLC

Ms. Danielle Angotti Clintonville FFA

Hometown: Freedom College: UW-River Falls SAE’s: Beef Production Entrepreneurship., Diversified Livestock Entrepreneurship. Favorite FFA Event: State & National Convention

Welcome New Advisors!

Ms. Tara Schepp Bowler FFA

Hometown: Wausau East College: UW-River Falls SAE’s: Swine Entrepreneurship Favorite FFA Event: National Convention

Ms. Sarah Van Asten Freedom FFA

Hometown: Wrightstown College: University of Illinois Urbana Champaign SAE’s: Beef Production, Swine Production, Agricultural Education Favorite FFA Event: Extemporaneous Speaking contest, Food for America Program

Back Row to Front Row, Left to Right:

Jackie Rosenbush State Sentinel Spooner FFA – Section 1

Ben Styer State Vice President Menomonie FFA – Section 2

Carisa Cleven State Vice President Tomah FFA – Section 3

Cortney Zimmmerman State Vice President Spencer FFA – Section 7

Kendra Jentz State Treasurer River Ridge FFA – Section 4

Katrina Hoesly State Parliamentarian Denmark FFA – Section 9

Brooks Lueck State Vice President Wisconsin Heights FFA Section 5

Joe Schlies State President Denmark FFA – Section 9

Katie Loehrke State Secretary Weyauwega-Fremont FFA Section 8

Melissa Konkel State Vice President Bigfoot FFA – Section 10

Olivia Lulich State Reporter Mauston FFA – Section 6

Katie Loehrke WI FFA State Secretary W2902 Akron Ct Waupaca, WI 54981