Posted: 01.31.2010

More then 425 UW Farm and Industry Short Course Alumni and others were cheering to the UW-Marching band on Saturday at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison - all in celebration of their 125 anniversary!

The "Short Course" program began in 1885 with 19 men enrolled in the first short course ever.  At that time, instructors moved around the state in an attempt to help the states farmers improve their skills at a time when the entire state was transitioning from wheat to dairy.  Since that time, just over 6,250 former students are now alumni.

Short Course Director, Ted Halbach, recapped some of the history for the crowd gathered, and then Andrea Brossard Martin, current Short Course Alumni President, honored Crave Brothers Farm of Waterloo and Badgerland Financial for their dedication.

Brossard Martin said that basically all of the partners within Crave Brothers Farm of Waterloo have connections to the UW and the Farm and Industry Short Course program.  The farm was presented the "Friend of Short Course" award and helped the celebration by providing complimentary cheese products during the post-reunion social.  Mark, Tom, Charlie, and George Crave (as well as father Robert) were all present to accept the plaque.

Amber Bennett of Badgerland Financial accepted the "Service to Agriculture" award from the Farm & Industry Short Course for its dedication to helping all producers look for improvement.  Bennett noted that the Farm Credit System will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2016 and still expects to be a strong supporter of the "short course" goals.

Farm Director, Pam Jahnke, was the keynote speaker for the event.

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