Local FFA member receives SAE grant, honored at WHA convention
The Wisconsin Holstein Association held its annual Junior Holstein Convention in collaboration with the Fond du Lac Junior Holstein Association at the Radisson Hotel in Fond du Lac, December 29-31, 2023. Youth from across the state were recognized for their outstanding achievements in multiple categories.
The top award recipients for those excelling with their Junior Holstein projects were the Distinguished Junior Members (ages 17-21), Young Distinguished Junior Members (ages 13-16), and 12 & Under Recognition award winners (ages 12 and younger). They were recognized on the Saturday evening of convention, December 30.
Recognized as a Young Distinguished Junior winner was Ella Raatz. Raatz, of Clark County, is the daughter of Al and Teri Raatz, Colby. She is a junior at Colby High School. Although she doesn’t actually live on a farm, she has partnered with local farmers to show some of their Registered Holsteins and to house her growing herd.
She currently owns four Holsteins and two Jerseys. She is very active in 4-H and FFA, serving as an officer in both organizations for the last three years. Her participation in Junior Holsteins includes competing on the county junior Dairy Bowl team along with judging and showmanship contests.
SAE grant
The Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) Grant committee of the Wisconsin FFA Foundation awarded over $23,000 in grants to twenty-nine Wisconsin FFA members. SAE Grants are designed to help students create or enhance their individual SAE project. The grants are made possible through donations from individuals and organizations who support FFA and agricultural education in Wisconsin, including the family of Paul and Kirsten Gross, Bluescope Buildings, Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin, Crystal Farms, Organic Valley, Seneca Foods, and the Wisconsin FFA Foundation Board of Directors.
Colby FFA member Ella Raatz earned a $1,000 award in the dairy sector to further fund her dairy herd.
The recipients received up to $1,000 each for their projects which cover a wide range of areas such as animal science, crop production, agribusiness, and environmental science. These grants will allow students to expand their knowledge and skills in these areas while also gaining valuable hands-on experience. The 2023 Wisconsin FFA Foundation SAE Grants are awarded in five categories: dairy, grain production, livestock, organic agriculture and start-up. Candidates were chosen based on the level and scope of their SAE project, as well as their age, financial need, leadership within FFA and their communities, and future plans for their individual projects. Through Supervised Agricultural Experiences (SAEs), agricultural students in Wisconsin (as well as nationwide) can apply the concepts they learn in the classroom to real-world situations. As one of the three pillars of the agricultural education model (alongside FFA membership and classroom lessons), SAEs provide students with immersive experiences beyond hypothetical scenarios. The SAE for All initiative has gained momentum across the state, encouraging every agricultural student to embark on an SAE project to better prepare for future career opportunities.
Ella Raatz
SHOWING THE HERD - Ella Raatz poses at a local fair with one of her cows. She will use money from the SAE grant to further fund her dairy herd which is housed at Heeg Bros. Dairy in rural Colby.
