Two More Wisconsin FFA Students Named Winners of Proficiency Awards
Friday, October 30th, 2020 -- 10:07 AM
(Wisconsin Ag Connection) -Another pair of Wisconsin FFA students have been named winners of their proficiency award areas at the National FFA Convention, being held virtually this week.Agricultural Proficiency Awards honor members who, through supervised agricultural experiences, have developed specialized skills that they can apply toward their future careers. On Thursday, Emily Makos of the Juda FFA won in the area of Small Animal Production; and Cochrane-Fountain City FFA member Andrew Mehus took top honors in Specialty Animal Production. Makos's rabbit project has grown from one breed and three rabbits to more than 200, including New Zealands, Californians, Polish, and Mini Rex. She has attended the American Rabbit Breeders Association show and learned from others in the field. Mehus helps manage a closed herd of 200 head of Rocky Mountain Elk. The animals are raised primarily for the mineral content found in their bulls' growing antlers, including glucosamine sulfate, collagen type II, and chondroitin sulfate. Bulls too old to produce are slaughtered, producing lean meat low in cholesterol and that is heart-healthy.
Earlier this week, Tyler Gardner of Pittsville was recognized as the winner of the Fruit Production proficiency award. Other Wisconsin FFA Proficiency Award finalists competing this week were Cortney Zimmerman, Spencer - Beef Production; Matt Fischer, Owen-Withee - Dairy Production; Amara Livingston, Cochrane-Fountain City - Diversified Horticulture; Tessa Gehri, Wonewoc Center - Goat Production; Tristan Wirkus, Stratford - Service Learning; Carson Lobdell, Darlington - Sheep Production; and Allison Lund, Cambridge - Specialty Crop Production.
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