Ripon Teacher Captures Excellence Title

Natasha Paris was selected as the winner of the Wisconsin Farm Bureau’s Young Farmer and Agriculturist Excellence in Agriculture Award at the organization’s virtual 101st Annual Meeting on Dec. 5.

Natasha Paris is an agri-science teacher and FFA advisor at Ripon High School. She and her husband, Jordan, own ParKelm Farm, a pasture-based livestock operation.

“This contest highlights individuals and how they have positively impacted Wisconsin agriculture and Farm Bureau and inspire others to do the same,” said Joe Bragger. “Natasha is an outstanding advocate for agriculture.”

The Excellence in Agriculture Award is presented to a Farm Bureau member between the ages of 18 and 35 who is actively engaged in agriculture but derives the majority of his or her income from an off-farm agricultural career. The winner is selected based on his or her knowledge of agriculture, leadership in Farm Bureau and other civic organizations.

Paris has been a Farm Bureau member since 2015 and serves as the YFA chair and vice president of Green Lake County Farm Bureau.

She will compete at the American Farm Bureau Federation’s Annual Convention in January. In addition, she can participate in the 2021 YFA trip to Washington, D.C. GROWMARK, Inc., will offer the winner either an all-expense paid trip to the GROWMARK Annual Meeting or $1,500 credit towards goods and services at the local FS Cooperative.

Other participants included: Stephanie Abts of Manitowoc County; Julie Wadzinski of Barron County; and Kellie Zahn of Shawano County.