Agribusiness Student Finds Support, Opportunity at Blackhawk

Leslie Reinke was drawn to Blackhawk’s Agribusiness program because she knew it wouldn’t be as limiting as other degree areas she had previously considered. When the Elkhorn native found out she could still work at her jobs while attending Blackhawk, she enrolled.

One of the things Leslie likes most is the small class sizes, which she feels contributes to a good camaraderie between her and her fellow students.

“In our program, everyone feels like family after the first couple of days of classes,” she said.

Outside of class, Leslie serves as the vice president of the Professional Agriculture Student organization. She’s especially excited to be able to take part in the in-person competitive events, something that hasn’t happened since before the COVID-19 pandemic.

Being involved in clubs or groups that go along with your program is something that she would urge others to do.

"It really helps to have a group of people around you that are all doing the same thing and have similar goals," she said. "Being involved in different organizations has helped me learn and do so many different things."

Agriculture instructor Dustin Williams says he's proud of Leslie's accomplishments and that she's shown much growth in her leadership skills.

“She continues to push herself to learn and gain experiences wherever she goes,” Dustin says. “I'm so proud of her and wish her great success in the year ahead.”

Leslie credits her professors with helping her out and checking up on her to see how she was doing after her father unexpectedly passed away during her first semester.

"It has been amazing to have professors that care so much about your life outside of school," she said.

Leslie, who is the recipient of the Tracy Family Scholarship offered through the Blackhawk Foundation, plans to graduate in spring 2024 and continue working towards becoming a Certified Crop Advisor while working on the farm.

For more information on the Agribusiness program, go to blackhawk.edu/agribusiness.

The Tracy Family Scholarship

Josh Tracy, owner of Tracy Seeds and co-owner of Tracy and Son Farms in Janesville, established the Tracy Family Scholarship Fund to assist students in the agriculture and nursing fields of study. A $1,000 scholarship is awarded to three students in an Agricultural program and three students in the Nursing program each fall. Students must be enrolled (or will be enrolling) in either an Agricultural or Nursing program at Blackhawk Technical College. Students can either be enrolled as part-time (minimum six credits) or full-time students and must be in good academic standing. The scholarship is available to new or continuing students and preference shall be given to students showing financial need.