The UW-River Falls Collegiate Farm Bureau Chapter has elected and installed the new 2020-2021 Officer Team. The entire team is eager to get started this year, even though it may be in a new, mostly virtual format. The chapter will be hosting virtual speakers, professional development events, social opportunities and participating in the online YFA Conference. Below is the list of new officers:
Our President for 2020-2021 is Claire Olson! Hailing from Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, Claire is a senior majoring in Agricultural Studies with a Dairy Science Minor. Claire is highly active on campus, as she is also a member of Sigma Alpha, the Agriculture Education Society, and is a CAFES Ambassador. “I was raised on my family’s dairy farm where we currently milk 60 registered Holsteins with a Lely robotic milker. In high school, I was actively involved in 4-H and FFA, participating in events on both the county and state level. I was also an active member of the Wisconsin Jr. Holstein Association and competed for many years on the Door County Dairy Quiz Bowl Team. This past summer, I was an Agricultural Field Assistant Intern at Conagra Brands/ Birds Eye Foods in Hastings, MN. This opportunity allowed me to learn about the vegetable production industry with an emphasis on peas and sweet corn. After graduation, I plan on working somewhere in the agriculture industry. I don’t know exactly what that looks like yet, but I would like to help farmers and promote agriculture. I have a strong passion for agriculture and love to teach consumers where their food comes from.
Our Vice President for 2020-2021 is Emma Jorgenson, a sophomore from Brooklyn, Wisconsin studying Ag Business and minoring in Equine Science. Emma is a member of the Honors Program at UWRF as well as the Association of Women in Agriculture. “I grew up on a hobby farm where my family raises exhibition poultry, dairy goats, dairy heifers, and I also have a horse named Nigel. I worked on a dairy farm milking and feeding calves through high school. I am just finishing my time in 4-H, where I took part in leadership activities and showed poultry, dairy goats, and market lambs. I am also a FFA member and will be receiving my American Degree this fall. I had the opportunity to expand my knowledge this past summer as an intern at the Midwest Farm Report with Pam Jahnke. I look forward to a career dedicated to the agriculture industry upon graduation!”
Serenity Hetke is serving as the 2020-2021 Secretary and Ag Day Chair. Serenity is a junior studying dairy science from Ladysmith, Wisconsin. In addition to CFB, she is also involved in the Dairy Club and InterVarsity. “I grew up on my parent’s 160-acre dairy farm with about 100 registered Ayrshire cattle, Cloverkey Ayrshires. Growing up, I was involved in FFA, Wisconsin Junior Ayrshires, and 4-H, where I developed skills for my future in agriculture as well as spent countless hours showing cattle. After graduation, I look forward to taking over my parent’s farm as well as running a convenience store to sell and promote our dairy products.”
Our 2020-2021 Treasurer is David Foerster, a Junior from Oostburg, Wisconsin, majoring in Ag Business with an emphasis in personal finance. In addition to Farm Bureau, David is also involved on campus with InterVarsity, Delta Theta Sigma, and the swing dance club. “I grew up working on my Uncle’s dairy farm. In 2015, I entered a business partnership, and together we started our own dairy and beef herd called Farm Hand Genetics, consisting of Holsteins and Jerseys. After graduation, I want to continue growing the business and try to achieve the farm’s mission statement. Our mission statement is to reach out to the community directly, via the niche markets, while creating a relationship basis. In addition, we would like to start up a non-profit organization attached to the farm that gives back to the community, while also offering the word of God.”
Brock Irwin is our 2020-2021 Reporter! Hailing from Belvidere, Illinois, Brock is a senior studying dairy science with a minor in ag business. Brock’s other activities on campus include competing on the dairy judging team, as well as serving in leadership roles for the dairy club and InterVarsity. “I was raised on my family’s dairy farm, where we used to milk about 60 head of registered Holsteins. Working on the farm, along with being active in 4-H, FFA Junior Holstein activities have provided a strong foundation on which I continue to grow. I have had some awesome internships the past few years, which have allowed me to get many different experiences working throughout the dairy industry. After graduation, I will continue to use my acquired knowledge and skills for the advancement of the dairy industry and the development of youth in agriculture.”
The entire officer team is thrilled to serve the UW-River Falls Collegiate Farm Bureau Chapter.
