Professional Development Conference (PDC)
Our Professional Development Conference is held during the summer so that our professional staff can build or maintain industry connections; attend workshops taught by industry leaders, innovative instructors, and foundation supporters; and conduct the organization's business at our annual meeting.
Future conference dates:
- June 28-July 2, 2020 in La Crosse
- June 27-July 1, 2021 in La Crosse
General Information
The 2020 Professional Development Conference will be held June 28-July 2, 2020 at the Radisson Hotel, LaCrosse. Payments for exhibitors or attendees can be done online via credit card or by mailing a check to Executive Director, WAAE, PO Box 87, Sauk City, WI 53583 Ph: (608)354-6450). Online registration is tentatively planned for March 10, 2020.
Conference Fees and Payment
Fees
Conference registration*: $400
Daily registration*: $133 (dues) + $125/day
Workshop Session fees: Varies by session selected. Many are offered at no additional cost.
Tuesday dinner socials (optional)
Bowling: $20
Golf: $50
River Boat Tour $55
Additional banquet ticket(s): $30 each
Instructional kits (optional): $100
*Conference registration includes all workshop sessions, WAAE/NAAE dues, meetings, meals, refreshment breaks, and materials, with the exception of additional fees stated in the session descriptions. Meals included in the conference fee include Monday lunch, Tuesday lunch and evening picnic social and Wednesday lunch and one banquet dinner ticket. Breakfast is included in the hotel reservations.
Carl Perkins Funding
In most cases Carl Perkins Funding can be used to pay for attendance at the conference. Discuss this with the individual in charge of these funds at your school.
Invoice and Payment
After completing and submitting the online registration form, there will be a link to print an invoice. If you do not receive a confirmation email or see a place on the website to print an invoice then you are not registered for the conference.
Payment should be sent to the following address.
Wisconsin Association of Agricultural Educators
PO Box 87
Sauk City, WI 53583
Payment is required by the time conference attendees arrive onsite. If not, participants will be responsible for working out their personal reimbursement with their respective schools.
Registration
Conference Schedule
2020 Professional Development Schedule - Radisson Hotel, 200 Second Street South, La Crosse, WI
Sunday, June 28| 11 a.m. 3 p.m. 4-8 p.m. 8-9 p.m. |
New Teacher Program WAAE Board Meeting Exhibitor Registration and Set-Up Conference Registration |
Monday, June 29
| 7-8 a.m. 8-9 a.m. 9-10 a.m. 10 a.m.-12:15 p.m. 12:30-2:15 p.m. 2:30-3:30 p.m. 3:45-4:45 p.m. |
Exhibitor Registration and Set-Up Educational Expo Opens - View Exhibits! Professional Development Sessions Educational Expo Resumes - Walking Lunch Opening Session Statewide committee meetings Sectional committee meetings |
Tuesday, June 30
| 6:30-8:45 a.m. 9-11 a.m. 11:15 a.m.-1 p.m. 1:15-4:30 p.m. 1:15-3:15 p.m. 3:30-4:30 p.m. |
Breakfast & Business Meeting, meeting begins at 8 a.m. Professional Development Sessions Post-Secondary Luncheon / Secondary Luncheon Wisconsin FFA Center Board Meeting Professional Development Sessions (FFA Center Board Mtg) Professional Development Sessions (FFA Center Board Mtg) |
Wednesday, July 1
| 6:30-7:45 a.m. 8-9:30 a.m. 9:45-11:15 a.m. 11:30 a.m.-1:15 p.m. 1:30-4:30 p.m. 5 p.m. 5:30 p.m. TBD |
Breakfast Professional Development Sessions Professional Development Sessions Luncheon Professional Development Sessions Banquet Reception Banquet Social following banquet 20 Year Club Meeting |
Thursday, July 2
| 7:00-9:45 a.m. 8:00-9:00 a.m. 10 a.m.-12 p.m. 12 p.m. |
Breakfast & Business Meeting, meeting begins at 9 a.m. Mentor/Mentee Breakfast Professional Development Sessions Conference adjourns |
| Post-Conference Meetings 12:30 p.m. |
WAAE Board Meeting |
Sessions
(Click here to get more details about submitting session proposals.)
Click to access sessions grid.
Sunday 9:00pm to 4:30pm
New Teacher Workshop
Presented by: Jamie Propson
Cost: Included in conference fees
Monday 9:00am to 10:00am
*I will be presenting or assisting with a session.
Cost: Included in conference fees
*I will not attend a pre-conference session or I have board duties.
Cost: Included in conference fees
*I will not attend a session or I have board duties.
Pathway: Other
Cost: Included in conference fees
2021 District Leadership Development Event Host Inservice
Presented by: Cheryl Zimmerman
Cost: Included in conference fees
All FFA chapter advisors who are scheduled to host 2021 FFA District Leadership Development Events must attend this workshop. There are many details you need to know in order to host the District Leadership Development Events. You will receive detailed information on your role as a host and understand how to prepare for these events. We will clarify rules and procedures for the various leadership development events, so all events are run the same in each district. Listed below are the scheduled sites for the District Leadership Development Events. This is also a great workshop for anyone interested in learning more about the FFA Leadership Development Events and helping to prepare students to compete in these opportunities.
The following schools are scheduled to host District Leadership Development Events for the 2020-21 school year:
Section 1: Spooner, Turtle Lake, Cameron
Section 2: Hudson, Menomonie, Eleva-Strum
Section 3: Lincoln-ACHM, Tomah, Wonewoc-Center
Section 4: Highland, Cassville, Mineral Point
Section 5: Juda, Milton, Mt. Horeb
Section 6: Randolph Cambria-Friesland, Poynette, Sauk Prairie
Section 7: Stratford, Abbotsford, Merrill
Section 8: Antigo, Coleman, New London
Section 9: Sevastopol, DePere, Random Lake
Section 10: Hartford, Johnson Creek, East Troy
A Day in the Life: A Veterinarian’s Role in Modern Agriculture.
Presented by: Ross Kiehne, DVM, Morgan Busack
Cost: Included in conference fees
Veterinarians play a key role in raising healthy farm animals, which impacts the safety of our nation’s food supply. Veterinarians are committed to reducing the need for antibiotics for farm animals while ensuring their responsible use. Farmers, veterinarians, and animal nutritionists place a high priority on animal health and animal welfare. A live tour guide, inside a working pig barn, will showcase how continuous improvements in agriculture science and technology are helping improve sustainable farming practices while providing healthy food.
An Agriculture Tour for Administration
Presented by: Tari Costello
Cost: Included in conference fees
Looking for a way to share the complete aspects of your agriculture education program? Does your administration completely understand the importance of agriculture to your community? Create a day-long field trip with your administration and counselors to share the whole story about the importance of your agriculture education program!
Antibiotics and Your Food - What You Need to Know
Presented by: Wendy Vandenboom, DVM
Cost: Included in conference fees
We will discuss the public perception of antibiotic use in food producing animals and separate fact from fiction. We will discuss what the real concerns are about antibiotic use and how to develop talking points to counteract misconceptions about food safety. Come learn what steps producers, food processors, the USDA and the FDA are taking to ensure our food supply is free of antibiotics. We will examine the Veterinary Feed Directive, its impacts on the food production industry and what further changes might be coming in how food animals are medicated. We will also look at what antibiotics and protocols are currently used in keeping food animals healthy and productive.
Dual Credit Articulation Information Sharing
Presented by: Kaitlin Spierings
Cost: Included in conference fees
Designed for secondary and high school programs to collaborate about their dual credit/articulation programs. If you are interested in articulating your courses come and find information about articulation. If you articulate with high schools at your secondary institution or are currently articulating come and share what works, what doesn't, and how we can improve to support student success.
Instructional Kits: What's Inside? How can I use this stuff?
Presented by: Richard Bierbrauer
Cost: Included in conference fees
This workshop is designed for WAAE members who purchased this year's instructional kit. This workshop is voluntary. The intent of this workshop is to introduce you to your instructional kit and lead you through some activities on how you can use them in your classroom.
Is your SOIL (lesson) too DRY:)
Presented by: Linda Sattler, Roger King, Sally Ladsten
Cost: Included in conference fees
Need great resources to provide hands-on, science-based, STEM learning to aid in student understanding of WHY crop nutrients and soil science is essential? Attendees will leave equipped with hands-on learning and FREE materials to engage students in classrooms. Also great for global agricultural study based on the driving question, "How do we feed the world's growing population?" The resources provide an inquiry-based exploration of soil and encourage students to make connections.
National Board Certification
Presented by: Michelle Howe
Cost: Included in conference fees
Participants will learn about the benefits, process, and helpful resoruces available to them for the National Board Certification process. If you have ever thought about National Board Certification this is the place to start. National Board Certification is a great professional development experience to take your teaching to the next level.
Pokes and Prod: Using Simulation to Teach Bovine Artificial Insemination and Injections
Presented by: Dan Cramer, Jamey McIntosh
Cost: Included in conference fees
Learn how to train your students basic principles of bovine Artificial Insemination & Bovine Injections. Using simulation, bring the cow into the classroom to show how to correctly inject bovine in the injection zone and teach A.I. in a classroom environment. Using these innovative learning tools helps to bring A.I. to life in the classroom with the Bovine Breeder™ Artificial Insemination simulator and the Bovine Injection™ simulator. Walk away from this session with knowledge of best AI practices and proper technique of A.I. and Injections for cattle.
Tuesday 9:00am to 11:00am
*I will be presenting or assisting with a session.
Cost: Included in conference fees
*I will not attend a pre-conference session or I have board duties.
Cost: Included in conference fees
*I will not attend a session or I have board duties.
Pathway: Other
Cost: Included in conference fees
Climate Change and Agriculture: making sense of the discussion
Presented by: Diane Mayerfeld
Cost: Included in conference fees
How has climate change affected agriculture in Wisconsin? How will it affect our state's agriculture in the future? How can farmers increase climate resilience? And on the flip side, how does agriculture contribute to greenhouse gas emissions, and what can farmers do to reduce those emissions? We will provide a brief, Wisconsin-focused overview of these topics, introduce activities for students to engage with these questions, and provide resources for further information.
DC with LTC
Presented by: Rachel Kroeplien, Liz Gartman, Craig Lallensack, Sam Hitchcock Tilton
Cost: Included in conference fees
Do your students plan to attend college? Why make them pay for credits when you can teach the courses for them for free? Meet the Agriculture Instructors from Lakeshore Technical College and learn about our Dual Credit opportunities. We are offering courses that that fit into our Horticulture, Dairy Herd Management and the Agribusiness Programs. When you work with us we will give you all the materials you need to teach our courses successfully. By completing this session, you will be ready to teach dual credit in the fall!
Everything but the Oink!
Presented by: Tracy Harper
Cost: Included in conference fees
Everything from management to current issues in the industry. Both conventional and organic/natural production will be discussed. Participants will receive resources and curriculum to share with their students.
Farm to Classroom Table: Bring innovative learning tools into your Ag program
Presented by: Dan Cramer, Jamey McIntosh
Cost: Included in conference fees
Bring learning to your students with hands-on agriculture learning aids and simulations and enhance their learning experience. Engage your students by creating an interactive classroom and encourage career path exploration with tools that train agriculture career skills. Motivate your students to actively participate in their learning by training with simulation before doing the real thing. This session will show you new resources to bring the farm to your students wherever they are in their learning.
Food Systems & Value-added; the unexplored territory beyond production alone
Presented by: Valerie Dantoin
Cost: Included in conference fees
We know that we teachers can help make more farmers. But can farmers make a living in today's food system? Beyond selling our products as commodities, what can farmers do to earn a decent price for the food they grow? Let's get a big picture of today's food system from processors to distributors to retail grocery and new online grocery ordering. How do farmers add-value to products and make a living direct marketing? Let's explore some of the ways food gets to the table and where the farmer can (or cannot) play a role in getting a fair share of the food dollar. What good does it do to unleash young people into the world of production agriculture if they cannot earn a living? What opportunities are available for helping change a system that does not work to support most farmers? What is your role as a teacher in the current and future system? A short presentation will be followed by facilitated breakout sessions to discuss these questions and brainstorm answers.
Four Hands-On Labs Exploring & Identification of Plant Tissues
Presented by: Donald Josko, Donald Josko
Cost: $20.00 (Required)
What you get: Participants will receive 4 printed labs, a bottle of Lugol's Iodine, and hands on training on conducting each lab.
Teach with confidence knowing the location and functions of plant tissues in herbaceous and wood plants. Learn practical applications that professionals use to evaluate plant viability using these labs.
Horseradish & Farm Technology Days 2020....make the most of your experience!
Presented by: Adam Wehling
Cost: Included in conference fees
Learn all about how horseradish is grown in this workshop and Farm Technology Days-July 21-23 in Eau Claire County. This will be hosted by Huntsinger Farms & Silver Spring Foods, the worlds largest Horeradish producer in the world! Workshop will also cover more about the details of the events taking place including the Youth & Career Discovery Zone-a fun, hands-on experience for all; career scavenger hunts; innovation square featuring horseradish from Silver Springs, Ferguson Orchards, Mireka Gouda, Bush's Beans, Superior Fresh; State FFA Soils & Tractor Driving Contest details. Adam Wehling-presenter for this session is on the execuative board for th Eau Claire county show and can answer busing and other questions that you may have.
Jazz Up Your Day
Presented by: Shalynn Domke, Mary Handrich
Cost: Included in conference fees
Are you feeling stressed about day to day routines? Need some help in organization? Let us help you! This workshop will give you strategies to stay organized and keep your students engaged. These simple tweaks in your day only take a few minutes to implement, but will save you hours later!
Land Evaluation CDE
Presented by: Jessica Schaefer, Tracy Brunton, David Wright
Cost: $25.00 (Required)
What you get: Soil judging contest preparation materials: binder, handbook, invasive plant photos, pit cards, individual score cards, clipboard, lesson plan
**Potential for other items dependent on availability.
An introduction to land evaluation covers determining slope, estimating soil texture, and calculating land capability classes as well as exploring the Land Judging CDE.
Learn How To Run The Day So It Won't Run You!
Presented by: Chris Clark
Cost: Included in conference fees
Repeat from last year if you missed this session last year sign up now. The time is now to improve your work life balance. Sign up for this session and start "running" your day instead of the day running you. Every attendee will discover something to try to gain more hours in the day for you, your family, your hobbies or simply to relax. Don't miss this session a bonus will be ready to use, tested and tried FFA officer retreat leadership activities to add to your next meeting. It has a lot to offer you and your officer team to manage the busy Ag/FFA classroom. See you there and thanks for your interest.
The Crossbred Cow
Presented by: Brittany Babik
Cost: Included in conference fees
Are you looking for an engaging way to introduce (or use) EPD's and cattle genetics? In this lab, you select bulls and cows and get results of their pairings. Get ready to experience and leave with this new inquiry activity where your students will not only learn about cattle genetics, but also discover a well-researched and documented genetic phenomenon found in crossbreeding programs.
You can do it!! Hands on Horticulture
Presented by: Kim Pruss, Diane Colburn
Cost: $10.00 (Required)
What you get: Take home projects- hypertufa containers, cement leaf prints, bow making materials
I would like to work on this depending on what people want covered
Tuesday 9:00am to 4:30pm
*I will be presenting or assisting with a session.
Cost: Included in conference fees
*I will not attend a pre-conference session or I have board duties.
Cost: Included in conference fees
*I will not attend a session or I have board duties.
Pathway: Other
Cost: Included in conference fees
New Teachers Gettin' Their Questions Answered!
Presented by: Jim Melby, Matt Reinders
Cost: Included in conference fees
This is a long 2-day session for any and all new teachers. A National Representative will be in attendance to teach the New Teacher programming as well as Rachel Sauvola. You must have the application completed and approved before you can sign up for this training. We will help to guide you down the correct path!
WI Hardwood Lumber Industry Curriculum and Tour
Presented by: Logan Wells
Cost: $20.00 (Optional)
What you get: *Please call me to discuss fee, the only fee would be for busing attendees from La Crosse to tour host in Trempealeau, WI. I am ball parking a bus to cost $500 if we have 25-30 people at $20 that might cover the bus costs. I am trying to talk with some industry associations to see about sponsoring the bus and or a lunch.
Want to bring an industry perspective to your natural resources or forestry classes? The WDNR Forest Products Team has put together a new series of presentations and activities that showcase the WI Hardwood Lumber Industry. This series provides students a learning opportunity on manufacturing lumber in a sawmill, different sawmill career paths, and wood products produced by Wisconsin mills. Students will be able to dip their toes into the real world skill set of grading hardwood lumber and connect markets for forest products to forest management. Workshop participants will learn about these resources as well and the steps of grading hardwood lumber.
**THIS SPECIFIC COMPANY ISNT FINALIZED YET**
Hawkeye Forest Products is a grade hardwood sawmill in Trempealeau, WI. They specialize in sawing walnut lumber, but they saw all other native commercial hardwood species. Tour attendees will tour the mill and learn about the different pieces of equipment and process of turning a log into green lumber.
*Another potential tour for the day could be the Ashley Furniture Plant or Rockland Flooring(*Semi-trailer Flooring) to show how lumber is machined and turned into finished products. Still making some phone calls on this.
Tuesday 1:00pm to 3:00pm
*I will be presenting or assisting with a session.
Cost: Included in conference fees
*I will not attend a pre-conference session or I have board duties.
Cost: Included in conference fees
*I will not attend a session or I have board duties.
Pathway: Other
Cost: Included in conference fees
A Garden in the Classroom?!
Presented by: Barbara Krause
Cost: Included in conference fees
Make your classroom come alive with a garden, a Tower Garden. Have a positive impact by supplying food for your school's cafeteria. Research show then when kids grow vegetables, kids eat vegetables. With the Tower Garden, an aeroponic growing system, schools can encourage healthy lifestyle habits among students (without the hassles of soil gardening - such as digging, weeding and messes). Incorporating the Tower Garden into your existing curriculum is easier than you might think. Lesson plans are ready to use!
Exploring Forest Careers with Project Learning Tree’s New “Green Jobs” Unit
Presented by: Nicole Filizetti
Cost: $10.00 (Required)
What you get: Project Learning Tree “Green Jobs: Exploring Forest Careers” Curriculum (reduced rate)
Green jobs represent one of the fastest growing and changing segments of the global economy. Engage your middle and high school students in discovering the wide array of careers in sustainable forestry and conservation using PLT’s new curriculum unit. We will get hands-on practice with the flexible instructional activities from "Green Jobs: Exploring Forest Careers," and participants will receive a copy of the curriculum.
Flip the Switch on Inquiry
Presented by: Troy Talford, Rachel Sauvola
Cost: Included in conference fees
Do you remember what it was like to wonder? Do you feel your students lack "wondering" about things in your classroom? Join NAAE Facilitators, Troy Talford and Rachel Sauvola, as they walk you through how to set up a foundation for creating a stronger inquiry based lesson. The focus of this workshop will be helping participants generate a sense of wonder in their classrooms by developing quality challenge questions to guide a lesson. You do not have to have participated in any of the Agriscience Inquiry trainings in the past to participate in this workshop.
Healthy Meals and Healthy Daily Routines
Presented by: Barbara Krause
Cost: $10.00 (Required)
What you get: In a jar meals, list of healthy daily routines, Juice Plus samples and recipes
Tired of rushing out the door without breakfast and/or lunch? Learn a fun and nutritious "meal in a jar" approach that can be prepared days in advance. Also learn about healthy daily routines that you can implement today. You will leave empowered to be a better you!
High Tunnels Made Easy.
Presented by: Glen Schraufnagel and Bruce Brunner, Bruce Brunner
Cost: Included in conference fees
Thinking about putting up a high tunnel but worried about the summer hours, time, or how to? This session offers 10 years of experience working specifically with high tunnel production in a school setting. We will give great advice on building, equipping, planting strategies and demonstrate techniques for production without cutting into your summer time! Take away great hands-on experiences with simple practices to turn your classroom into "learning to do and doing to learn" experiences.
Interactive Online Tools to Teach Forestry
Presented by: Kate Flick, Haley Frater
Cost: Included in conference fees
We will explore new online tools to teach forestry through UWSP’s LEAF and Forest Education and Development Initiatives. Get on-boarded to the interactive WI Community Tree Map to perform tree inventories on your school site, including powerful analysis tools that assess ecological benefits, composition diversity, and more. Also learn about various online modules you can use with your class. Topics include Forest Health, Management, Merchandising, Timber Marking for Wildlife and more.
SAE Lessons and Activities
Presented by: Glenda Crook
Cost: Included in conference fees
SAE for All - now what? Learn how you can implement SAE into your curriculum for all students. Lesson plans and activities will be shared that you can use in your classroom that will engage all students no matter what level they are at in their SAE project. Learn how to deal with students in more than one class and those that take several courses. This workshop will give you an opportunity to explore resources available for you to use in your classroom that are easy to implement and still engage your students.
Tuesday 1:00pm to 4:30pm
*I will be presenting or assisting with a session.
Cost: Included in conference fees
*I will not attend a pre-conference session or I have board duties.
Cost: Included in conference fees
*I will not attend a session or I have board duties.
Pathway: Other
Cost: Included in conference fees
FBPM-MN Training Part 1
Presented by: Sara Maass-Pate, Delray Lecy, Keith Olander
Cost: Included in conference fees
FBPM Training Part 1
Tuesday 3:05pm to 4:30pm
*I will be presenting or assisting with a session.
Cost: Included in conference fees
*I will not attend a pre-conference session or I have board duties.
Cost: Included in conference fees
*I will not attend a session or I have board duties.
Pathway: Other
Cost: Included in conference fees
A Sustainable Business - Tower Garden Farming
Presented by: Barbara Krause
Cost: Included in conference fees
Ready to learn how to grow a better world and a healthy profit?
Discover the advantages of vertical aeroponics with the Tower Garden, an innovative method that results in faster growth, healthier plants and bigger yields – while using few resources.
Explore examples of Tower Garden farms and refine your farm plan with free resources.
Ag in the Classroom & the Wisconsin Turf and Green Industry- the opportunities are endless!
Presented by: Darlene Arneson
Cost: Included in conference fees
Wisconsin Ag in the Classroom will partner with leaders in the turf, golf course, and green industry for this 1 ½ hour workshop. There will be an update on Ag in the Classroom resources, activities and programs and the rest of the workshop will be covering the turf and green industries. A new school partnership program, First Green, will be explained along with career opportunities for your students, educational opportunities and training beyond high school, organizations in Wisconsin, on-line resources for your classroom, and discussion of ways to incorporate soils, turf and the green industry into your curriculum.
Animal/Barn Facility at Your School
Presented by: Lisa Kopp, Hanna Rohland
Cost: Included in conference fees
Will be shown how to incorporate animals and hands-on labs into your school district's curriculum. Lisa Kopp, Medford Agriculture Instructor, fundraised over $180,000 to build an agriculture building on the Medford High School Property. Many would think this isn’t possible, but it can be on many different levels. Animal learning facilities are becoming more and more popular in the Agriculture Departments around the state and can be utilized across the school in other departments, too! Lisa will talk with you about some of the tips to utilize when looking to engage a community on a dream that will positively impact the lives of student learners. Do you want to engage students stronger in the classroom? Students love hands-on applications with animals. Lisa will also suggest how to create a wave of positivity (for agriculture) in your community by contacting local newspapers, radios, TV stations, utilizing social media as well as online crowdfunding websites. Are you not sure if this could happen in your district? Come and see what could be done on a smaller level at your school next year!
Intro. to AP- Environmental Science (Ag teachers can teach this!)
Presented by: Kevin Whalen, Kevin Whalen, Andrew Simon
Cost: Included in conference fees
Details on the required AP Environmental Science course content delivered in a clear and concise handout. Pacing information and Optional resources so that teachers can adapt and modify rather than having to build from scratch. Information on how to get your students to pass the AP environmental Exam for college credit. We will also demonstrate instructional approaches with a range of useful teaching strategies that teachers may draw upon to use during the course.
Making magical, mystical mozz
Presented by: Valerie Dantoin
Cost: Included in conference fees
Join a demonstration of cheesemaking fundementals using wonderful Wisconsin milk. The science and biochemistry of cheesemaking are featured as you learn to make mozzarella. Get a full lesson plan on cheesemaking that includes a link to a powerpoint created for making Mozz. A budget summary of supplies needed is included. See how you can get four other lesson plans on 1) vegetable fermentation, 2) making keifer and yogurt, 3) making soft cheeses and 4) making cheddar cheese. These lessons grow your student's skills in a step-wise fashion. Teaching cheesemaking and fermentation engages students while sneaking science (microbiology, chemistry, biochemistry) into their day. Kind of like when you put cheese on their vegetables to make kids eat better.
Passing the White Glove Test: Utilizing Handheld Technology
Presented by: Dr. Sarah Mills-Lloyd
Cost: Included in conference fees
Maintaining a clean pathogen free environment is important for optimizing animal health and reduction of disease transfer. In this interactive session, learn the use of an ATP bioluminescence meter to assess contamination levels, understand sanitation practices, and leave with potential classroom applications/activities for inclusion in your curriculum!
Teaching Employability Skills
Presented by: Tari Costello
Cost: Included in conference fees
Are your students ready to take on the "real world"? Do you have the framework in your curriculum to teach an engaging employability skills class that will prepare your students to compete in the job market? This session will provide you with EVERYTHING you will need to teach your Employability Skills class!
What's the Issue? Ag Issues
Presented by: Steve Boe
Cost: Included in conference fees
The current political climate is creating challenges for farmers and agriculturists. Join us in this workshop to learn more about agriculture issues at the local, state and national level, and how you can best prepare your students to understand and advocate on behalf of agriculture.
Wisconsin Envirothon: Preparing Students for a Future in Conservation Stewardship
Presented by: Kim Warkentin, Tracy Arnold, Aleisha Miller
Cost: Included in conference fees
Founded in 1988, Wisconsin's annual Envirothon is our state's ultimate middle and high school environmental science challenge where teams of four or five high school or middle school students participate in the hands-on outdoor field challenges designed by natural resource professionals and educators consisting of soils and land use, aquatic ecology, forestry, wildlife and an annual current issue. The winning high school team will advance to the National Conservation Foundation Envirothon to compete for over $100,000 in scholarship and prizes. This session will provide an overview of the program and discuss how to start a team and discuss the best way to prepare your students for this challenging but fun competition.
Wednesday 8:00am to 11:00am
*I will be presenting or assisting with a session.
Cost: Included in conference fees
*I will not attend a pre-conference session or I have board duties.
Cost: Included in conference fees
*I will not attend a session or I have board duties.
Pathway: Other
Cost: Included in conference fees
*WAAE Board Banquet Prep
Pathway: Other
Cost: Included in conference fees
WAAE Board Banquet Prep
20-Year Club Meeting
Pathway: Other
Cost: Included in conference fees
Now that the Wednesday luncheon is combined, the 20-year club meeting will take place during the Wednesday morning workshop session time. Start time is TBD.
Canine Adventures
Presented by: Tracy Harper
Cost: Included in conference fees
Everything dog! with the assistance of some 4 legged instructors, participants will get training and resources on canine nutrition and health assessments. Examples and resources on canine learning theory and behavior will be presented and practiced on our 4 legged instructors. Participants will leave with a list of resources and lesson plans on careers, health and training.
FVTC-Ag Dual Credit Articulation Program Summit for Current Schools
Presented by: Kaitlin Spierings, Roxanne Rusch-Oleson
Cost: Included in conference fees
Instructors that are currently articulating agriculture courses with FVTC can attend this session to complete the yearly program summit requirement. Coordinators will review upgrades to the courses at FVTC, bring feedback to FVTC office of K-12, and complete the checklists that must be completed annually to articulate with FVTC.
Introduction to Agroforestry
Presented by: Diane Mayerfeld
Cost: Included in conference fees
Windbreaks, silvopasture, riparian buffers, forest farming, and alleycropping are the agroforestry practices recognized by the USDA. What are they, and how and why are farms using them in the Midwest? We will answer these questions drawing on the free agroforestry curriculum developed by the Center for Agroforestry, which includes presentation materials, background information, and student activities.
Managed Grazing made easy to teach
Presented by: Valerie Dantoin
Cost: Included in conference fees
Managed grazing is an awesome way to teach plant biology and animal nutrition as well as farm economics. Explore grazing with this 30-year veteran grazier as she takes you through a few case studies in order to share basic grazing principles. She will share adaptable lesson plans, powerpoints, and other resources from her college course in grazing that you can use in your classroom. Get a solid understanding of how grazing works so you can share it with your students. Grazing is such an easy entry, accessible way for beginning farmers to manage livestock on any scale that every student should have some exposure to the concept. Whether grazing 10 chickens, 20 sheep, 30 pigs, 40 beefers or 100 dairy cows, set your future farmers up for success as they learn to incorporate this low-cost, environmentally friendly farming practice into their farming plans.
Teaching Small Engines 101- The Basics
Presented by: Dale Drees, Dale Drees
Cost: Included in conference fees
New to teaching Small Engines? Proven practices and procedures will be presented by an Equipment & Engines Training Council certified instructor. Get new ideas for teaching small engine concepts and leave with worksheets and materials to help you get started teaching this rewarding hands-on curriculum.
Understanding Greenhouse Soil Media Components and Selecting The Correct Media For Growing Your Plants!
Presented by: Donald Josko
Cost: $15.00 (Required)
What you get: Participants will receive a power point on soil components, soil testing procedures, and media samples to use in their classrooms.
This workshop is designed to clear up questions about the different types of media components, their functions, and aid the instructor in selecting the proper media.
WI DNR Volunteer Safety Instructor Certification: Hunter Safety
Presented by: Linda Xiong, Kimberly Cooley
Cost: Included in conference fees
Instructor certification material and training will be given during this 5 hour block. Attendee will be certifiable by end of the session. Instructor applications should be on file or can be filled out when you arrive. A complete background check process will be followed in accordance to established WDNR Policy and Procedures.
Wednesday 8:00am to 4:30pm
*I will be presenting or assisting with a session.
Cost: Included in conference fees
*I will not attend a pre-conference session or I have board duties.
Cost: Included in conference fees
*I will not attend a session or I have board duties.
Pathway: Other
Cost: Included in conference fees
*WAAE Board Banquet Prep
Pathway: Other
Cost: Included in conference fees
WAAE Board Banquet Prep
BriefCASE Ag Business Foundations
Presented by: BriefCASE Ag Business Foundations - Katelyn Dei coordinator
Cost: $275.00 (Required)
What you get: ABF CASE certification, curriculum, and lunch
CASE Agricultural Business Foundations (ABF) introduces students to business
management in agriculture. Mathematics, reading, and writing components
are woven in the context of agriculture and students will use the
introductory skills and knowledge developed in this course throughout
subsequent CASE courses. Throughout the course are practical and
engaging activities, projects, and problems to develop and improve
employability skills. The Agricultural Business Foundations course is an
elective course from the AgSTEM menu. The course is structured to enable
all students to experience an overview of agricultural business
management either as a stand-alone course or within a sequenced
pathway of instruction. The professional development session requires 5.5 hours led by CASE-trained facilitators and will culminate
with the completion of course task checksheet. For maximum benefit, CASE recommends no fewer than 10
and no more than 30 participants per session. Multiple sessions may be offered concurrently or back-to-back
according to CASE facilitator availability
Fishing Rod Building with Mud Hole Rod Building & Tackle Crafting
Presented by: Stacey Kunde, Randy "Buzz" Butters
Cost: $45.00 (Required)
What you get: Participants will take home their own custom made rod, fishing rod wrapper kit ($100 value) and will have the opportunity to purchase additional kits at cost. Each person will leave with their very own custom rod, a complete beginner's set, and will be given the resources for educational priced materials. From reaming out grips to wrapping the guides, you will learn how to troubleshoot common mistakes on building rods and some tricks to making this apart of your classroom curriculum. Meeting Outdoor Recreation and Wildlife Management Standards has never been so fun!
Have you ever wanted to build your own fishing rod but don't know where to start? This is the class for you. Our rod building class is taught by top professional rod builder, Randy "Buzz" Butters. Buzz has been working with high schools across Wisconsin bringing his extensive knowledge of all the state of the art techniques and components to build top-performing custom rods. Although there are myriad learning materials available to help you learn the craft, there is nothing quite like face-to-face hands-on instruction. The class also includes over $100 in products you keep! Participants will learn how to include this skill in natural resource or wildlife management courses and hook their students.
Local Aquaponics Tours
Presented by: Richard Bierbrauer
Cost: Included in conference fees
The Coulee Region has a lot of unique aquaponics production facilities. This workshop will tour 3 different facilities: Floating Gardens in Mindoro which specializes in aquaponics hemp production, Lyfe Gardens in Bangor which is a traditional tilapia and lettuce production facility, and finally Superior Fresh in Northfield which is the largest salmon aquaponics facility in the US. Superior Fresh will also host a tour of their restored prairie on site. Due to the length of this workshop we will stop somewhere for lunch.
Renewable Energy Education in Your Classroom/Community
Presented by: Sara Windjue
Cost: $25.00 (Required)
What you get: Doable Renewables - Renewable Energy Activity Guide
Models to take home that they build during the session - wind turbine blades, solar cookers, water turbines
Renewable Energy Posters
Renewable energy is exciting! Does it work in Wisconsin? Get your students excited about renewable energy and the implications it has for our environment and economy, while exploring potential careers in the energy industry. This workshop provides hands-on activities and classroom-based applications for teachers to help analyze energy information and create strategies and techniques to enhance STEM in their classrooms. Workshop participants will receive the KEEP Doable Renewables: Renewable Energy Education Activity Guide.
Wednesday 9:00am to 11:00am
There are no Sessions for this time slot.
Wednesday 1:15pm to 2:45pm
*I will be presenting or assisting with a session.
Cost: Included in conference fees
*I will not attend a pre-conference session or I have board duties.
Cost: Included in conference fees
*I will not attend a session or I have board duties.
Pathway: Other
Cost: Included in conference fees
*WAAE Board Banquet Prep
Pathway: Other
Cost: Included in conference fees
WAAE Board Banquet Prep
Can I eat that? Or does it just make my car move? Fermentation application and explanation.
Presented by: Sam Behrends and Kristen Kvalheim, Kristen Kvalheim
Cost: Included in conference fees
Fermentation. In this session participants will explore the biological processes and industrial application of fermentation in an easy to reproduce student lab. The lab will include multiple variations so it can be utilized in classrooms with a variety of existing equipment. This session will give you the basics of how to demonstrate fermentation applicable to multiple course pathways including Food Science, Biological Engineering, Environmental Systems, and possibly others.
So You Want To Build A School Greenhouse Or High Tunnel
Presented by: Donald Josko
Cost: Included in conference fees
Explore Your Options For Building a Greenhouse or High Tunnel. You will Receive a Power Point to Take Home For Your Own Use!
Wednesday 1:15pm to 4:30pm
*I will be presenting or assisting with a session.
Cost: Included in conference fees
*I will not attend a pre-conference session or I have board duties.
Cost: Included in conference fees
*I will not attend a session or I have board duties.
Pathway: Other
Cost: Included in conference fees
*WAAE Board Banquet Prep
Pathway: Other
Cost: Included in conference fees
WAAE Board Banquet Prep
Beekeeping for Beginners
Presented by: Adam Wehling
Cost: $250.00 (Optional)
What you get: A great teaching kit for teaching Beekeeping! Products from Mann Lake Ltd. HK-110: 10 frame traditional basic starter kit-assembled & painted (1 hive body,10 frames with foundation, 1-inner cover, 1-outer cover, 1-bottom board, 1-entrance reducer, 1-hive tool, 1-pair gloves, 1-bee veil, 1 smoker, 1-book); BM-270 Teaching Frame Inserts (set of 20)
Learn all about Honey Bees in this information filled workshop with multiple resources and teaching aids provided. Honeybees...a great SAE project, addition to Food For America, natural resource topics, grant project and more! Workshop will cover: honeybee terminology, hive components, hive management, pest management, pollinator habitat, SAE applications and careers, additional learning opportunities. This workshop is taught by Adam Wehling, Dean of Agriculture programs at Chippewa Valley Technical College and an active and successful beekeeper for 8 years.
FBPM-MN Training Part 2
Presented by: Sara Maass-Pate, Keith Olander, Delray Lecy
Cost: Included in conference fees
FBPM Training Part 2
Making Your Farm Buildings More Energy Efficient
Presented by: Annie Baker
Cost: $25.00 (Required)
What you get: From new construction to existing buildings, this workshop is designed to provide agriculture educators hands-on training and time to plan for authentic leadership experiences of student-led building energy audits for typical farm structures such as greenhouses and dairy barns. Focus on Energy's Agriculture Program resources will accompany KEEP curriculum and resources. Participants will leave with ready-to-use activities and an Energy Audit Tool Sampler kit (valued at $150) to allow for immediate implementation with their students.
Participants will discover the most common areas of energy consumption and waste in agricultural buildings, practice using four tools (infrared thermometer, light meter, watt meter and thermal imaging camera), measure electric energy consumption through standard building energy audit activities, and then practice communicating effective energy efficiency practices for agricultural buildings backed by their data. Throughout the session, educators will work together to identify real-world situations related to energy-saving building practices for Wisconsin's farms and agribusiness and connect these concepts to their own curriculum, school site and resources.
Workshop discussion will include how to motivate students to engage in relevant career and STEM skills. Content will focus on making electric energy consumption visible using the school and agricultural buildings as a teaching tool for energy efficiency and conservation, and more broadly, the role energy-savings plays in a safe and productive business.
Bring authentic leadership experiences to your agricultural curriculum with student-led building energy audits. We will explore best practices for typical farm structures, like greenhouses and dairy barns, and practice using energy audit tools to uncover energy loss related to lighting, ventilation and heating systems. Includes time for discussion and planning for integration of these energy efficiency skills to prepare students for life and work on Wisconsin's farms and beyond.
New Teachers Gettin' Their Questions Answered!
Presented by: Jim Melby, Matt Reinders
Cost: Included in conference fees
This is a long 2-day session for any and all new teachers. A National Representative will be in attendance to teach the New Teacher programming as well as Rachel Sauvola. You must have the application completed and approved before you can sign up for this training. We will help to guide you down the correct path!
Restoring a Tractor as a Classroom Project
Presented by: Matthew Reinders and Glen Schraufnagel, Matthew Reinders, Glen Schraufnagel
Cost: Included in conference fees
This session will offer a hands on experience on how to fully restore a tractor from start to finish. Whether you are interested in teaching a restoration as a course or offering assistance to a student as a project, this session will give you the tools needed to approach the project. Topics covered will include curriculum, manuals, tools needed, how to's, resources, and troubleshooting. For anyone considering restoring a tractor, this session is for you!
Wednesday 3:00pm to 4:30pm
*I will be presenting or assisting with a session.
Cost: Included in conference fees
*I will not attend a pre-conference session or I have board duties.
Cost: Included in conference fees
*I will not attend a session or I have board duties.
Pathway: Other
Cost: Included in conference fees
*WAAE Board Banquet Prep
Pathway: Other
Cost: Included in conference fees
WAAE Board Banquet Prep
Interactive Notebooks in the classroom
Presented by: Kayla Loewenhagen
Cost: Included in conference fees
Looking to change up the way you grade and assess your students. Interactive Notebooks may be your solution. This workshop will explore Interactive Notebooks including what they are, how to utilize them in your classroom, and how to grade Al them.
Thursday 9:00am to 11:00am
*I will be presenting or assisting with a session.
Cost: Included in conference fees
*I will not attend a pre-conference session or I have board duties.
Cost: Included in conference fees
*I will not attend a session or I have board duties.
Pathway: Other
Cost: Included in conference fees
Add Some Spark to Your Veterinary Science Lab
Presented by: Tari Costello
Cost: Included in conference fees
Are you looking for some labs that you can add to your Veterinary Science class? Teachers will leave this session with lessons to engage students to gain skills in your Veterinary Science classes! Be prepared to get your hands dirty and leave ready to teach these labs in your classes!
Agriculture Science Concepts in the Classroom, FFA and SAE
Presented by: Brian Pinchart, Jonathon Ganske
Cost: Included in conference fees
The science of agriculture and agricultural research is a challenging, expanding and dynamic field. This session will explore ways of engaging students within the three-ring model of agricultural education to get them academic and career ready. Discussions will focus on science equivalency in the agricultural education classroom, Agriscience Fair in FFA, and the Agriscience Proficiency/SAE for all.
Animal Reproduction Basics
Presented by: Dr. Andrew Martin / Amy Gerhardt
Cost: Included in conference fees
If you need a refresher on large animal reproduction.....you need this workshop! Dr. Marty, from Central Wisconsin Ag Services, will review dairy female reproductive anatomy, and physiology. Workshop will also include teaching strategies that have been tested in a classroom!
Basic Pruning Techniques
Presented by: Donald Josko
Cost: $20.00 (Required)
What you get: Participants will receive a power point on appropriate tools, plant parts, and techniques for teaching basic pruning to middle or high school students.
Learn how to do basic pruning with the appropriate tools. This will be a demonstration workshop with hands-on skills.
CASE Curriculum
Presented by: Kayla Loewenhagen
Cost: Included in conference fees
Looking to freshen up your Curriculum or looking for more inquiry based lessons CASE has you covered. This session will introduce the CASE Curriculum. Participants will have the opportunity to experience CASE Lessons.
Explore Bowhunting, Explore Bowfishing and other outdoor education programs
Presented by: DANIEL SCHROEDER, Bobbi Marion
Cost: Included in conference fees
The Explore Bowhunting and Explore Bowfishing curriculums were produced by the Archery Trade Association and are outdoor education curriculums, focused on archery and Bowhunting.
Participants will get to experience, as students, how the curriculum is ran. We will go though 2 or 3 curriculum pieces as they would be offered to your students. Attendees will learn how to implement the Explore Bowhunting and Explore Bowfishing curriculums in their school. All participants will leave with a full set of teaching materials and details on how to receive the loaner teacher trunk and tools from the WDNR to offer programs.
We will provide hands on teaching tips during the session and answer any and all questions.
Farming Simulator
Presented by: Richard Bierbrauer
Cost: Included in conference fees
This session will describe a farming simulation game that will run a mock year of a farming exercise. Participants will select a farming enterprise, make decisions, anticipate markets, unforeseen circumstances, start up costs, and deal with fluctuating commodity prices. Participants will leave the session with a digital and physical copy of all materials required to implement this activity in class.
Financial and Career Opportunities with USDA-Farm Service Agency
Presented by: Kim Iczkowski, Tom Brandt
Cost: Included in conference fees
This informational session will cover financial loan opportunities offered by the USDA Farm Service Agency, including youth loans. Youth loans can be a great way to provide funding for a student's SAE project.
Many students enrolled in agriculture courses may be interested in agriculture, but not interested in farming. The USDA Farm Service Agency could be a great career for those students. Employees in the Farm Service Agency work directly with farmers across the country.
This session will focus on loan programs, career opportunities, and how you as their adviser can help them on the right path.
Sustainable Agriculture Resources
Presented by: Diane Mayerfeld, Natasha Paris (need to confirm)
Cost: Included in conference fees
What is sustainable agriculture, and how does it relate to local foods, grazing, organic agriculture, farm-to-school, and other practices? I will provide a brief overview of the Toward a Sustainable Agriculture curriculum and of sustainable agriculture resources from the USDA Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education program and UW-Madison Center for Integrated Agricultural Systems. I am also interested in getting your input on what resources you want to teach about agricultural sustainability.
Tour of Kwik Trip Dairy Plant and Bakery
Presented by: Richard Bierbrauer, Eric Follendorf
Cost: Included in conference fees
This will be a guided tour of the Kwik Trip dairy processing facility and brand new bread and bun bakery. Please come with questions about food processing, transport, and safety. We we be discussing these topics, plus product development and testing.
Exhibitors
Exhibitor Registration Form
The Wisconsin Association of Agricultural Educators would like to invite its partners to be a part of the 2020 WAAE Professional Development Conference Educational Expo.
2020 Educational Expo Exhibitor Information Letter
About the Educational Expo
Date: Monday, June 29, 2020
Location: Radisson Hotel, La Crosse, Wisconsin
Time: 8-9 a.m.
10 a.m.-12:15 p.m. with "walking lunch"
Opening session and prize drawing to follow.
Self-directed set-up: Sunday, June 28 - 4-8 p.m.
Registration and set-up: Monday, June 29 - 7-8 a.m.
Display area: 3'x6' table or comparable floor space if a table isn't used. Each additional space/table is $75
Door prizes: All exhibitors are asked to donate a door prize, which will be given out at the end of the Educational Expo.
Exhibitor Fees: $175, and includes
- WAAE Associate Membership
- One display space/table at the Educational Expo. Each additional space/table is $75
- Ticket(s) for Monday's Conference luncheon
- WAAE plaque or year tag acknowledging your support of WAAE
How to Register
- Go to WAAE online account - https://wisconsinaged.org/users/
- Create or log in to your account.
- Click "Exhibitor Registration"
- Click "Register as an Exhibitor" on the right side
- After completing the registration, you'll be able to print out an invoice to submit with payment
- Mail payment to:
Wisconsin Association of Agricultural Educators
PO Box 87
Sauk City, WI 53583
Deadline: April 15
If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact Kathy Hartmann-Breunig, executive director, at executivedirector@waae.com or 608-370-6251.
Sponsorship Opportunities
Thank you for your consideration to be a sponsor at the Wisconsin Association of Agricultural Educators Professional Development Conference. WAAE is the professional development organization for our state's secondary and post-secondary agricultural educators and provides its members with opportunities for technical training, networking and to support the recruitment and retention of agricultural educators. As a membership dues funded organization, we truly appreciate the support that sponsors provide.
We are pleased to offer several options to support our state's agricultural educators, while giving recognition and appreciation to those organizations that decide to sponsor.
WAAE Conference Sponsorship Information Letter
How to Become a Conference Sponsor
- Complete the Sponsorship Form and return it to WAAE
- For customized sponsorship opportunities, contact the executive director at executivedirector@waae.com.
Questions: If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact the executive director at executivedirector@waae.com.
Hotel Reservations
Radisson La Crosse.Housing block is open now!
Ways to book:
- WAAE 2020 Radisson La Crosse Room Reservations
- Call 608-784-6680, and select option 1
- Radisson Hotel, 200 Second Street South, La Crosse, WI
Room rates:
- $99 - Standard King City View
- $99 - Poolside Doubles
- $129 - Standard 2 Queen Riverview
***Recommended overflow hotel: Holiday Inn & Suites La Crosse
There is not a block, so just reserve your room for the lowest rate available.
608-784-4444 or online
