Posted: 10.25.2010

Wisconsin's winning way's continued as the 83rd National FFA Convention drew to a close on Saturday in Indianapolis. Dan Griesbach of Marshfield was named the 2010 Star in Agricultural Placement winner and Richard Henningfeld of the Big Foot FFA in Walworth was the Runner-up Agri-Science Teacher of the Year.

Again in 2010, Wisconsin walked away with one of the most prestigious awards available to an FFA member - the 2010 Star in Agricultural Placement award.  Dan Griesbach of the Marshfield FFA captured the title.  Griesbach continues in the dairy tradition his family began back in 1880 outside of Stratford.  Dan was one of two candidates for "Star" honors that Wisconsin advanced.

Griesbach enrolled in the Production Agriculture - Youth Apprenticeship Program during his junior and senior year of high school.  That clsswork helped him learn more about dairy farming - and commodity marketing.  The summer before Griesbach graduated, his father had unavoidable spinal surgery that left Dan managing the entire operation. 

Aside from his dairy management skills - Griesbach has also picked up proficiency awards and been involved in career development strategies.  He was also a 2007 Wisconsin Star in Agricultural Placement finalist.  Gresbach has continued his education after high school with Farm Operations programs in Marshfield, and Farm Business and Production programs.  He's the son of William and Carol Griesbach.

Rick Henningfeld of the Big Foot FFA in Walworth trys to make students think about the big picture when he starts class.  Helping students think about "what really matters" is a key to why Henningfeld was named the 2010 Runner-Up Agri-Science Teacher of the Year.

The award recognizes agriculture instructors that emphasize agriscience curriculum in their classes.  Finalists have developed innovative programs in food, environmental, animal, plant, soil and mechanica/engineering sciences.

One of the highlights to Henningfeld's curriculum is an annual Agriscience Days - a chance to host fourth graders from four elementary schools.  Henningfeld says the students broaden the course to include talking about current events and food production.

Henningfeld says his claases are known as some of the hardest with rigorous coursework.  What he finds amazing is how students advocate about agriculture to their friends.

The 83rd National FFA Convention concluded Saturday in Indianapolis with a record attendance of near 55,000.

 

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