MADISON – Five individuals have been selected to receive top honors in Wisconsin Farm Bureau’s 35 Under 35 Award program. The award is presented by WFBF’s Young Farmer and Agriculturist program in partnership with Insight FS.
The 35 Under 35 program recognizes the creativity and innovation of young farmers and agriculturists who are preserving agriculture through leadership in environmental, social and economic activities. This is the third year of the program.
Applications were evaluated for their involvement in one of five categories – Sustainable Future, Sustainable Environment, Sustainable Service, Sustainable Storytelling and Sustainable Self.
Thirty-five finalists were recognized at WFBF’s Annual Meeting and YFA Conference in Wisconsin Dells on Dec. 7. Each finalist received a $100 cash prize and apparel item. The top individual in each category received a $500 cash prize.
“This year’s cohort exemplifies the diverse meanings of sustainability—encompassing personal growth, community service and environmental stewardship,” said WFBF YFA Chair Kat Peper. “Their commitment to advancing agriculture while promoting sustainable practices is a testament to the bright future of our industry.”
The Sustainable Environment category recognizes individuals who are good stewards of the land and their resources. The top individual in the Sustainable Environment category was William Walleser from Vernon County. William dairy farms with his family in De Soto.
Other finalists in the Sustainable Environment category included Lauren Brey, Door County; Emily Herness-Oates, Trempealeau County; Cody Mullikin, Sheboygan County; and Ben Sosnovske, Lincoln County.
The Sustainable Future category recognizes individuals who are preserving generational success on the farm. The top individual in the Sustainable Future category was Sawyer and Jillian Tietz from Polk-Burnett Farm Bureau. Sawyer and Jillian dairy farm with their family in Comstock.
Other finalists in the Sustainable Future category included Chad Bruss, Green Lake County; Sydney Flick, Columbia County; Cosette Henthorne, Vernon County; Karoline Homan, Dodge County; Tyler Meinnert, Sheboygan County; Brady Nigh, Vernon County; Sam Olson, Barron County; Serenity Palmer, Rusk County; Josh Roos, Polk-Burnett County; and Tammy Wiedenbeck, Grant County.
The Sustainable Self category recognizes individuals that are serving their community through leadership, mentorship and mental health advocacy. The top individual in the Sustainable Self category was Tess Zettle from Green County. Tess works for Kuhn North America, Inc. and volunteers as a coach for the Green County 4-H dairy judging team.
Other finalists in the Sustainable Self category included Andrew Dal Santo, Grant County; Niki Peterson, Door County; Katie Reineking, Sheboygan County; Emily Strahota, Green Lake County; and Katie Zimmer, Rusk County.
The Sustainable Service category recognizes individuals who are serving agriculture through trade skills or advisory roles. The top individual in the Sustainable Service category was Lily Schuster from Dodge County. Lily is a dairy hygiene specialist with Central Ag Supply.
Other finalists in the Sustainable Service category included Amy Austin, Green County; Kori Blank, Monroe County; Isaac Christenson, Polk-Burnett County; Allison Gorr, Green County; Amanda Williams, Shawano County; Eric Wuthrich, Green County; and Beth Yanke, Sauk County.
The Sustainable Storytelling category recognizes individuals who use their platform to share agriculture’s sustainability successes. The top individual in the Sustainable Storytelling category was Charitee Seebecker from Juneau County. Charitee is a farm broadcaster for the Midwest Farm Report.
Other finalists in the Sustainable Storytelling category included Kendra Goplin, Trempealeau County; Joanna Guza, Brown County; Kendra Jentz, Grant County; and Brittany Olson, Barron County.
“The 35 Under 35 Program from WFBF continues to showcase the best and the brightest the agriculture industry has to offer,” said Ben Huber, General Manager of Insight FS. “Now more than ever, the conversation around sustainability is at the forefront of farmers and the agriculture industry. Insight FS continues to be a proud sponsor of this program and offers sincere congratulations to all of the nominees and category winners. You are the best and brightest representing sustainability initiatives in Wisconsin Agriculture.”
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