The Wisconsin Beef Council is proud to announce the 10 individuals selected to participate in the second class of the Wisconsin Beef Leadership Institute.
The 2025 participants are: Abigail George (Mondovi), Avery Bermel (Platteville), Danielle Wafle (Mauston), Dennis Breneman (Loganville), Heidi Strey (Osseo), Morgan Bobek (Markesan), Paige Gaffney (Barneveld), Ray Melander (Black Creek), Rhandi Ehn (Winter), and Ryder Starck (Elk Mound).
The group kicked off the year-long program in April with a two-day workshop held in Madison and Verona. Participants toured the UW-Madison Meat Science and Animal Biologics Discovery building, engaged in a hands-on meat cutting demonstration, and explored the latest in beef industry research.
They also completed advocacy and spokesperson training with staff from the National Cattlemen’s Beef
Association (a contractor to the Beef Checkoff), took part in CliftonStrengths coaching, and even visited WISC-TV to learn about working with local media.
For some, like Avery Bermel, joining the Institute is a commitment to the industry.
“I grew up on a small cow-calf operation in Northeast Nebraska,” Bermel says. “Working with cattle
is a lifelong passion of mine in multiple areas of the industry. That passion brought me to Wisconsin to work with producers.”
The Institute provided opportunities for personal growth.
“My experience partnering with the Institute and fellow participants was nothing less than extraordinary,” says Danielle Wafle. No matter your level of experience in the beef industry, WBC opened new doors. Attending our first 2025 event motivated me to further my education and involvement in agriculture.”
This program is a collaborative effort between the Wisconsin Beef Council and the Wisconsin Cattlemen’s Association. Over the course of the year, these 10 participants will take part in quarterly workshops focused on advocacy training, policy engagement, media relations, and leadership development.
