Abigail Boeck of Portage, Wis., has been named the Wisconsin state winner of the 2010 GROWMARK essay contest for FFA members. The theme of this year’s contest was “Exploring Careers in Agriculture.”
 

In her contest entry, Boeck said: “The world of agribusiness holds countless unique career opportunities for people across a wide spectrum. Farmers and producers are far from the only people involved in bringing agricultural products to consumers. Other highly educated men and women work to make the highest quality goods available at affordable prices.”
 

Boeck is a student at Portage High School and a member of the Portage FFA chapter. Her FFA advisor is Brad Gefvert.
 

As the contest winner, Boeck will receive a $500 scholarship from GROWMARK at the Wisconsin FFA State Convention. The Portage FFA chapter will also receive a $300 award in honor of her accomplishment to help future students.
 

Four state runners-up will each receive a $125 scholarship. The runners-up and their FFA chapters are, in alphabetical order: Madeline Bode, Cassville FFA; Isabel Cupino, Oconto Falls FFA; Sydney Endres, Lodi FFA; and Logan Wells, Monroe FFA.
 

Students were asked to describe an agricultural career that interests them and interview a local FS employee about opportunities in that career field.
 

This is the seventeenth year for the program, sponsored by the GROWMARK System and FS member cooperatives, in conjunction with state FFA leaders, to help young people develop their writing skills, learn about current issues in agriculture, and understand the unique role of cooperatives.