Communication Awards
The Wisconsin Association of County Agricultural Agents (WACAA) recently recognized several members during their annual awards and recognition program. An affiliate of the National Association of County Agricultural Agents (NACAA), WACAA is a professional organization:
- for county, area and state Extension professionals which encourages excellence and professionalism in their work.
- that works to improve effectiveness of Wisconsin Extension programs.
- which provides assistance for agents to seek and participate in professional improvement opportunities.
- to recognize and promote superior achievement.
Those agriculture agents receiving top communication awards included:
- Aerica Bjurstrom, Kewaunee County Agriculture Agent for her:
- Educational Video Recording
- Website/Online Content
- Factsheet
- Tina Kohlman, Fond du Lac County for her:
- Event Promotional Package
- Feature Story
- Personal Column
- Katie Wantoch, Dunn County Agriculture Agent for her:
- Computer Generated Presentation with Script
- Publication
- Kaitlyn Davis, LaCrosse County Agriculture Educator for her:
- Newsletter
- Heather Schlesser, Marathon County Agriculture Agent and Sandy Stuttgen, Taylor County Agriculture Agent for their:
- Learning Module/Notebook
- Jerry Clark, Chippewa County Agriculture Agent for his:
- Audio Recording
Search for Excellence
Jerry Clark, Chippewa County, and team members Carl Duley, Buffalo County, Ken Schroeder, Portage County, Bill Halfman, Monroe County, & Kaitlyn Davis, LaCrosse County, received the Search for Excellence in Crop Production award.
25 Years in Extension
Two educators were recognized for twenty-five years of service:
- Scott Reuss, Regional Educator for Marinette, Oconto, Shawano, Lincoln, & Langlade County
- Kevin Schoessow, Burnett, Sawyer, & Washburn County
Distinguished Service
Aerica Bjurstrom, received the Distinguished Service Award for excellence as a WACAA member with more than ten years of Extension service.
Aerica is a Professor with the University of Wisconsin – Madison Division of Extension. She has been in her role as Agriculture Educator for 15 years serving Kewaunee and Door Counties and recently transitioning to a regional dairy educator. Aerica specializes in dairy farm management focusing on herd health and wellbeing. Aerica is currently the President-Elect of the Wisconsin Association of County Agricultural Agents and will begin her term as president in 2022.
Achievement Award
Kaitlyn Davis, LaCrosse County Agriculture Educator, received the Achievement Award in recognition of her excellence in the field of professional Extension outreach work among WACAA members with less than ten years of service.
Kaitlyn is Agriculture educator for UW Extension LaCrosse County. Her primary focus is Farm Management and Horticulture. She co-Leads the state Farm Succession workgroup, is a certified Farm Succession coordinator, with current projects of Cultivating Your Farm’s Future Workbook development, Building the Bridge of Trust in Farm Succession, and guiding farmers through succession planning. Before joining Extension she worked as an agriculture teacher and graduated from UW-River Falls with a bachelor’s degree in Agriculture Education.
Second Mile Award
One Extension specialist was recognized for their exceptional effort supporting Wisconsin county agricultural agents and received the WACAA Second Mile Award for their assistance in carrying out educator educational programs: Jenny Vanderlin, Center for Dairy Profitability
Friend of the County Agent
One non-Extension individual received the WACAA “Friend of the County Agent” award for their exceptional support of Wisconsin county agricultural agents and their Extension programs across the state: Ray A. Melander
The WACAA annual awards are sponsored by Hoard’s Dairyman; WI Agriculturist; the WI Broadcasters Association and A & T Industries.
View award winner photos.
