Agriculture Students Participate in State, National Conferences

Students in Blackhawk’s Agricultural Program at the Monroe Campus competed in two conferences over the last two months, bringing home a number of awards.

The Wisconsin Professional Agricultural Students (PAS) Competitive Events Conference was held Feb. 12-13 in Wisconsin Dells. Over 200 students and advisors from technical colleges across the state competed.

The National Professional Agricultural Students Conference was held March 11-14 in Springfield, Illinois, giving students an opportunity to network and speak with agricultural-based companies. There were over 500 students and advisors from technical colleges all over the country.

Dustin Williams, Agribusiness and Farm Management Instructor, says he’s proud of the willingness of his students to get involved as leaders at both the state and national levels, which they have done for the past several years.

"This dedication to serve and improve their leadership skills helps set BTC students apart from others," he said. “Their experiences have helped them learn how to run meetings, speak in public, work in a team, and handle stressful situations."

Blackhawk has several students serving as officers for PAS this year, including Trinity Dyreson serving as the National VP of Industry Relations, Leslie Reinke serving as the National Secretary, and Jadah Wegmuller as State Secretary and delegate to the national conference. Jason Hunt is a National Officer candidate for 2024-25.

The National PAS Organization has more than 6,000 members from 57 chapters located in 18 states. PAS is available to students in Post-Secondary Agriculture, Agribusiness, and Natural Resource Programs in 550 technical colleges in all 50 states.

The PAS mission is to provide opportunities for individual growth, leadership and career planning through participation in employment experience programs, course work and PAS activities.

Wisconsin PAS Conference award winners:

• Abe Clark, 1st, Employment Interviewing: Ag Equipment and Machinery
• Leslie Reinke, 1st, Employment Interviewing: Agronomic Services
• Jason Hunt, 1st, Employment Interviewing: Agronomic Production
• Jason Carpenter, 2nd, Employment Interviewing: Forestry and Natural Resources
• Jason Hunt, Jason Carpenter, Abe Clark, 2nd, College Quiz Bowl
• Jadah Wegmuller, 3rd, Employment Interviewing: Livestock and Dairy Production
• Leslie Reinke, 4th, Impromptu Speaking
• Jason Hunt, 4th, Ag Sales Demonstration
• Leslie Reinke, Jadah Wegmuller, Jason Carpenter, 4th, Crops and Soils Specialist: Team
• Jason Hunt, Abe Clark, 8th, Crops and Soils Specialist: Team

National PAS Conference award winners:

• Leslie Reinke, 1st, Employment Interviewing: Agronomic Services
• Abe Clark, 3rd, Employment Interviewing: Ag Equipment and Machinery
• Jason Hunt, 3rd, Employment Interviewing: Agronomic Production
• Jason Hunt, Abe Clark, Jadah Wegmuller, 12th, Crops and Soils Specialist: Team