We are sad to share that Jeff Hicken, Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources Education Consultant and State FFA Advisor at the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction has passed.
After numerous medical complications over the past few weeks, he passed Friday morning just after his transfer to the UW Hospital.
Hicken has served in his role with the Wisconsin FFA and Department of Public Instruction for just over 15 years. Through his time with the organization, he has worked closely with other state staff and state officers each year to serve Wisconsin’s agriculture educators and FFA members across the state. Along with his position at DPI, he has served in numerous roles at the national level as well, including serving as a member of the National FFA Board.
Prior to joining the Department of Public Instruction, Hicken was always very active in the FFA and agriculture education. He was a member of the Lomira FFA chapter and served with the state FFA team as State Sentinel in 1992-93. After his year of service, he went on to attend the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, earning a degree in agricultural education. Upon graduation, he became the agriculture instructor at Sauk Prairie High School, where he taught from 1998 to 2006.
He is survived by his wife Sheri and his two sons, Cole and Drew. Cole recently graduated from Waupun High School and has been awarded a State FFA Proficiency Award In Landscape Management.
The entire staff of the Midwest Farm Report Network are rocked by the loss of this mentor and friend. Rest in Peace “Hick”.
