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:
- Kimberly Kester, Dairy and Livestock Program Manager, for her Published Photo
- Heather Schlesser, Regional Dairy Educator in Clark and Marathon Counties, for her Event Promotional Package
- Jordyn Sattler, Regional Crops and Soils Educator for Grant, Green, Iowa, and Lafayette Counties for her Personal Column
- Aerica Bjurstrom, Regional Dairy Educator for Brown, Door, and Kewaunee Counties for her Fact Sheet
- Jackie McCarville, Regional Dairy Educator in Grant, Green, Iowa, and Lafayette Counties, for her Newsletter
- Heather Schlesser and Ryan Sterry jointly for their Educational Video Recording. Sterry is the Regional Livestock Educator in Chippewa, Dunn and Eau Claire Counties
- Sandra Stuttgen, Taylor County Livestock Educator for both her Computer Generated Graphics Presentation and her Feature Story
McCarville and Stuttgen have further received North Central Regional recognition (Twelve North Central States) from NACAA for their Newsletter and Feature Story, respectively.
Search for Excellence
Aerica Bjurstrom, Regional Dairy Educator for Brown, Door, and Kewaunee Counties, received the Search for Excellence in Livestock Production award.
Distinguished Service
Peggy Damann, Horticulture Program Manager, received the Distinguished Service Award. The purpose of the Distinguished Service Award program is to encourage and recognize excellence in the field of professional Extension for members with more than ten years of service, who have conducted outstanding programs, and are held in high esteem by their fellow workers.
Achievement Award
Jackie McCarville also received the Achievement Award. The purpose of the Achievement Award program is to encourage and recognize excellence in the field of professional Extension for members with less than ten years of service.
Second Mile Award
Two individuals were 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:
Jed Colquhoun, Integrated Pest Management Extension Specialist
Jennifer Van Os, Dairy Animal Welfare Extension Specialist
Left to right: Allison Jonjak, Resource Development Outreach Specialist in the Crops and Soils Program, presents the Second Mile Award to Professor Jed Colquhoun, Integrated Pest Management Extension Specialist with the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Friend of the County Agent
Two non-Extension individuals 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:
Karl Pippenger, Area Manager Cranberry Lake Cranberry Corporation
Bach Farms LLC
Left to right: Allison Jonjak, Resource Development Outreach Specialist in the Crops and Soils Program, presents the Second Mile Award to Professor Jed Colquhoun, Integrated Pest Management Extension Specialist with the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Left to right: Heather Schlesser, Regional Dairy Educator for Clark and Marathon Counties, presents the Friend of the County Agent Award to Cathy Bach, Farm Manager of Bach Farms, Dorchester, WI.
The WACAA annual awards are sponsored by Hoard’s Dairyman; WI Agriculturist; the WI Broadcasters Association and A & T Industries.