Press Releases
Wisconsin FFA Foundation to induct Blue and Gold Society members
Madison, Wis. [June 8, 2017] – The Wisconsin FFA Foundation will induct new Blue and Gold Society members at the 88th Wisconsin FFA Convention next week. The convention will be held at Madison’s Alliant Energy Center June 12-15.
In 2001, the Blue and Gold Society was formed to honor and recognize donors of major and/or planned gifts. Members have made the commitment to contribute $15,000 to the Wisconsin FFA Foundation in three years or less. With 27 existing members, this prestigious group is adding four more individuals and families to its roster in 2017. They include: Carol, Jim, Mark and Jon Anderson; Kim and Leona Havens; Derrick Papcke; and Michael Sabel.
Anderson Pharms is family farm located west of Cobb in Iowa County and has been home to Carol, Jim, Mark and Jon Anderson. The family shares a tradition that is rich in FFA and 4-H involvement. Carol L. Anderson has been a faculty member at Iowa State University and Cornell University, and currently has a consulting business which focuses on higher education issues. James (Jim) Anderson has been a cash grain farmer and Elbert’s resort rental manager for the past 25 years. Following graduation from the University of Wisconsin Short Course, he farmed for 28 years with focus on dairy and beef production. Jim was a member and chapter officer of the Iowa-Grant FFA, earned his American Farmer Degree in 1967, and is a lifetime FFA Alumni member.
Dr. Mark Anderson is founder and CEO of a family of companies dedicated to animal health including Genesis Industries, Genesis Instruments, MAI Animal Health and Veterinary Concepts. Mark, who served as State FFA Vice President from 1968 – 1969, supports local and state FFA activities, including sponsorship of the Foundation’s Small Animal Production and Care Proficiency Award. Jon Anderson is president and owner of Grade A Strategies, a marketing services firm in Delafield. Jon served as State FFA Parliamentarian for Section 4 in 1987 – 1988 and was Wisconsin’s National FFA Officer Candidate in 1989. He is currently on the Wisconsin FFA Foundation Board of Directors, serving as vice president.
Kim and Leona Havens both grew up on dairy farms – he near Darlington, she near Oakfield. Kim served as Wisconsin FFA Vice President and State FFA President, and was an agriculture education teacher at Parker High School in Janesville for five years. He served the National FFA Foundation for seven years as assistant executive director before beginning his own company, Havens Financial Services, Inc. He was also chairman and treasurer for the Wisconsin FFA Foundation Board of Directors.
After 38 years, Leona is a recently retired Darlington Speech, English and Drama high school teacher. She has helped many Darlington FFA members with FFA speaking contests. Both Leona and Kim are lifetime FFA Alumni members and continue to have a passion for supporting FFA.
Derrick Papcke hails from the Elkhorn FFA Chapter in Section 10 and served as the State FFA Treasurer in 2007-08. He received his State FFA Degree in 2006 and Honorary in 2015. He then served on the Wisconsin FFA Foundation Board of Directors from 2009-2015. When he’s not involved with FFA, he farms full-time with his family at CRT Papcke Farms, LLC in Elkhorn, along with managing rental properties and doing all the odd jobs involved with farming. His message to FFA members is this: “Remember FFA members, this is your time. Step up and lead; life is not a dress rehearsal. This is your time to act and shine, you are not rehearsing for another time as a FFA member. Take advantage of it!”
Mike Sabel is currently an agriculture instructor with Mid-State Technical College in Marshfield teaching for 28.5 years. He also taught high school agriculture for 9.5 years. Mike thanks his high school agriculture instructor and the FFA for teaching him life and occupational skills that led him into the agriculture education profession. Mike has earned the Wisconsin and American FFA degrees along with the Honorary Wisconsin FFA degree. Mike lives his life and teaches by two main principles. First from the Bible: “Love your neighbor as yourself” and second, the FFA Motto “Learning to Do, Doing to Learn, Earning to Live, Living to Serve.” Mike is thankful to God for wisdom and many blessings so he may share these with FFA members.
The Wisconsin FFA Foundation, a 501 (c)(3) organization, unites individuals, organizations and companies who share a common interest in the advancement of agriculture and community leadership through FFA. You can support today’s FFA members by supporting the programs that have been core tenets of the FFA: proficiency awards, career development events, state FFA degrees, sectional leadership workshops, scholarships, chapter awards, agri-science fair, state FFA convention and state officer support. Learn more about the Wisconsin FFA Foundation and sponsorship opportunities by visiting www.wisconsinffafoundation.org.
In 2001, the Blue and Gold Society was formed to honor and recognize donors of major and/or planned gifts. Members have made the commitment to contribute $15,000 to the Wisconsin FFA Foundation in three years or less. With 27 existing members, this prestigious group is adding four more individuals and families to its roster in 2017. They include: Carol, Jim, Mark and Jon Anderson; Kim and Leona Havens; Derrick Papcke; and Michael Sabel.
Anderson Pharms is family farm located west of Cobb in Iowa County and has been home to Carol, Jim, Mark and Jon Anderson. The family shares a tradition that is rich in FFA and 4-H involvement. Carol L. Anderson has been a faculty member at Iowa State University and Cornell University, and currently has a consulting business which focuses on higher education issues. James (Jim) Anderson has been a cash grain farmer and Elbert’s resort rental manager for the past 25 years. Following graduation from the University of Wisconsin Short Course, he farmed for 28 years with focus on dairy and beef production. Jim was a member and chapter officer of the Iowa-Grant FFA, earned his American Farmer Degree in 1967, and is a lifetime FFA Alumni member.
Dr. Mark Anderson is founder and CEO of a family of companies dedicated to animal health including Genesis Industries, Genesis Instruments, MAI Animal Health and Veterinary Concepts. Mark, who served as State FFA Vice President from 1968 – 1969, supports local and state FFA activities, including sponsorship of the Foundation’s Small Animal Production and Care Proficiency Award. Jon Anderson is president and owner of Grade A Strategies, a marketing services firm in Delafield. Jon served as State FFA Parliamentarian for Section 4 in 1987 – 1988 and was Wisconsin’s National FFA Officer Candidate in 1989. He is currently on the Wisconsin FFA Foundation Board of Directors, serving as vice president.
Kim and Leona Havens both grew up on dairy farms – he near Darlington, she near Oakfield. Kim served as Wisconsin FFA Vice President and State FFA President, and was an agriculture education teacher at Parker High School in Janesville for five years. He served the National FFA Foundation for seven years as assistant executive director before beginning his own company, Havens Financial Services, Inc. He was also chairman and treasurer for the Wisconsin FFA Foundation Board of Directors.
After 38 years, Leona is a recently retired Darlington Speech, English and Drama high school teacher. She has helped many Darlington FFA members with FFA speaking contests. Both Leona and Kim are lifetime FFA Alumni members and continue to have a passion for supporting FFA.
Derrick Papcke hails from the Elkhorn FFA Chapter in Section 10 and served as the State FFA Treasurer in 2007-08. He received his State FFA Degree in 2006 and Honorary in 2015. He then served on the Wisconsin FFA Foundation Board of Directors from 2009-2015. When he’s not involved with FFA, he farms full-time with his family at CRT Papcke Farms, LLC in Elkhorn, along with managing rental properties and doing all the odd jobs involved with farming. His message to FFA members is this: “Remember FFA members, this is your time. Step up and lead; life is not a dress rehearsal. This is your time to act and shine, you are not rehearsing for another time as a FFA member. Take advantage of it!”
Mike Sabel is currently an agriculture instructor with Mid-State Technical College in Marshfield teaching for 28.5 years. He also taught high school agriculture for 9.5 years. Mike thanks his high school agriculture instructor and the FFA for teaching him life and occupational skills that led him into the agriculture education profession. Mike has earned the Wisconsin and American FFA degrees along with the Honorary Wisconsin FFA degree. Mike lives his life and teaches by two main principles. First from the Bible: “Love your neighbor as yourself” and second, the FFA Motto “Learning to Do, Doing to Learn, Earning to Live, Living to Serve.” Mike is thankful to God for wisdom and many blessings so he may share these with FFA members.
The Wisconsin FFA Foundation, a 501 (c)(3) organization, unites individuals, organizations and companies who share a common interest in the advancement of agriculture and community leadership through FFA. You can support today’s FFA members by supporting the programs that have been core tenets of the FFA: proficiency awards, career development events, state FFA degrees, sectional leadership workshops, scholarships, chapter awards, agri-science fair, state FFA convention and state officer support. Learn more about the Wisconsin FFA Foundation and sponsorship opportunities by visiting www.wisconsinffafoundation.org.
##
