For Immediate Release
Contact: Daniel Wackershauser, Marketing and PR Specialist
Phone: 608.822.2303
Mail: 1800 Bronson Blvd., Fennimore, WI 53809
Date of Release: February 23, 2021
National FFA Week celebrated with local donations
Fennimore -
In recognition of National FFA Week, chapter members from high schools in the Southwest Wisconsin Technical College district, will be receiving gifts. Emmi Roth Cheese, in Platteville, Wisconsin, is donating more than 1,000 units of Roth snack cheese, while Organic Valley, in La Farge, Wisconsin is donating approximately 850 beef sticks. In addition, Southwest Tech is presenting FFA-branded clipboards, small stress “cows” and a thank you note to each chapter. Southwest Tech staff will be delivering the items to the schools this week.
Pictured (L-R) Kim Schmelz, Director of External Relations and Alumni Development for Southwest Tech; Don Barnard, Plant Manager for Emmi Roth; Angelica Lippert, Quality Assurance with Emmi Roth; Lonna Nelson, Production Lead with Emmi Roth; and Holly Straka, Marketing/Recruitment Assistant with Southwest Tech.
“We are extremely proud of all our FFA members throughout the district,” said Deb Ihm, director of agriculture at Southwest Tech. “Their dedication is inspiring and I am confident the future of agriculture is bright.”
Each year, FFA chapters across the country celebrate National FFA Week. It’s a time to recognize FFA and the impact it has on its members every day. This year’s National FFA Week is Feb. 20-27. “National FFA Week is always a special time, as we get to celebrate all the great things this wonderful organization does to advance agriculture,” said Ihm.
“Organic Valley is a proud supporter of the FFA at both the state and national levels,” said Robin Connelly, membership services manager with Organic Valley. “Organic Valley promotes regional farming diversity and provides educational opportunities to our next generation of farmers and agricultural leaders. By supporting the FFA, we are working to safeguard family farms and bring awareness of the global agricultural needs to our young farmers. Together we can build cooperation, promote well-being of our environment and support a healthier lifestyle.”
“Dairy is a crucial industry here in Wisconsin and across the country,” said Angela Frie, product data manager with Emmi Roth. “It is important to work with organizations like FFA to ensure we, as an industry, support students and young leaders through experience and education in dairy to ensure the long-term sustainability of agriculture.”
FFA prepares future leaders through agricultural education. Currently, FFA has more than 700,000 student members as part of 8,600 local FFA chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The organization is supported by more than 8 million alumni members throughout the United States.
Designated as a national week in 1947, the week of George Washington’s birthday, National FFA Week runs from Saturday to Saturday. The week of George Washington’s birthday was selected to celebrate the impact he had on agriculture. FFA Week gives FFA members an opportunity to educate the public about agriculture and show their local impact and story. During the week, chapters conduct a variety of activities to help others in their school and community learn about FFA and agricultural education.
| 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 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. |