For Immediate Release
Contact: Daniel Wackershauser, Marketing Specialist
Phone: 608.822.2303
Mail: 1800 Bronson Blvd., Fennimore, WI 53809
Date of Release: August 22, 2023
Dal Santo named 35 Under 35 award finalist
Fennimore -
Andrew Dal Santo, agronomy instructor at Southwest Wisconsin Technical College, has been named to a prestigious list. Dal Santo is a finalist for the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation’s (WFBF) 35 Under 35 award.
The award is presented by WFBF’s Young Farmer and Agriculturist program, in partnership with Insight FS. The 35 Under 35 program recognizes the creativity and innovation of young farmers and agriculturists who are preserving agriculture through leadership in environmental, social and economic activities. Dal Santo was included in the Sustainable Self category.
“For me, coming from the farm side of things, it’s doing your best to maintain a good image to the public and being the best that you can be for your operation, whether it’s sustainable being profitable, whether it’s sustainable being a good steward of the land and providing that image to the public, that, ‘hey, we’re doing the best that we can with what we are doing here.’”
– Andrew Dal Santo
Dal Santo has been an agronomy instructor at Southwest Tech since January 2021. Prior to that, he was a district sales manager for Legacy Seeds. He grew up on a 100-acre farm in the Beloit area, before moving to attend the University of Wisconsin-Platteville. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Ag Business, with an emphasis in Ag Engineering and a minor in Building Construction Management.
Dal Santo, 33, currently lives on a hobby farm, south of Fennimore. The operation includes 18 head of cow/calf pairs and some crop ground, which is rented. “I like the beef side of things,” he said. The property is owned by his “designated grandma,” who he met through the Grant County Cattleman’s Association.
The WFBF created the 35 Under 35 program to recognize up-and-coming farmers, and what they were doing to improve ag’s image, according to Dal Santo. He was on the committee that formed the program. “It seems like we are always being the eight-ball when it comes to the public image of what agriculture is,” he said.
In the second year of the program, 45 innovative and deserving YFA (Young Farmer and Agriculturalist) members submitted video applications. Applications were evaluated for their involvement in one of five categories – Sustainable Environment, Sustainable Future, Sustainable Self, Sustainable Service, and Sustainable Storytelling.
“The YFA Committee is ecstatic to see how many young farmers and agriculturalists were nominated for the 35 Under 35 program,” said WFBF YFA Committee Chair Savannah Brown. “We look forward to recognizing and meeting these deserving individuals in December at the YFA Conference. Congratulations to all the finalists.”
Dal Santo has been a member of the WFBF for more than 10 years. He is a member of the Grant County Farm Bureau board, and is the committee chairperson for the Grant County YFA. He is also the former chairperson of YFA District three.
As for the next generation of farmers, Dal Santo can see a shift into a more sustainable way of thinking. “Maybe five years ago it really wasn’t on the forefront, ‘how do we maintain a sustainable image,’” said Dal Santo. “Now, you can see the mindset, ‘alright, how do I make things efficient and how do I make them sustainable on what we are doing?’”
When it comes to advice for anyone wanting to start a suatainable operation, Dal Santo recommends starting with a plan. He also advises producers work with local officials, such as LASA (Lafayette Ag Stewardship Alliance). “There are so many avenues when it comes to sustainability,” he said. “Don’t be afraid to take chances.”
“The 35 Under 35 program has been a success again in 2023,” said Insight FS General Manager Ben Huber. “It is refreshing to see the leadership qualities and sustainability initiatives being driven by the Wisconsin Farm Bureau and the YFA program, and Insight FS is proud to be a partner again in 2023. Congratulations to all the nominees and finalists; you are the best and brightest our industry has to offer.”
Each finalist will receive an embroidered vest sponsored by Insight FS. The top individual in each category will be announced during the WFBF Annual Meeting and YFA Conference in December. The finalists are also invited to attend an exclusive networking reception during the conference.
| Southwest Wisconsin Technical College is one of 16 institutions that comprise the Wisconsin Technical College System. Southwest Tech offers more than 60 programs in a wide variety of disciplines. Courses are offered on campus, online, HyFlex and in a blended format. The college provides apprenticeship, certificate, technical diploma, and associate degree programs that respond to district workforce needs and prepare student for family-sustaining jobs and career advancement. |