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Professional Development Conference (PDC)

2022 Professional Development Conference

General Information
2022 PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT CONFERENCE

The 2022 Professional Development Conference will be held June 26-June 30, 2022.  Payments for exhibitors, sponsors and/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.   The PDC will be held in person for three full days Monday through Wednesday and a half day on Thursday, June 30 with workshops and meetings.  The banquet will be held Wednesday, June 29 at 5:30 pm.   Tuesday will be tours and hands-on at the barn venue in Sparta called Country Reflections.  Dress casually, comfortably and for outside during the day's events and picnic in the evening.  
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Conference Fees and Payment

Fees For In-Person Conference:
Conference registration*: $375 (includes WAAE and NAAE dues) for three day event [ACTE dues $80 additional]
Daily registration*: daily rate $225 (includes WAAE ($73) and NAAE ($65) dues and [ACTE dues $80 additional]
Workshop Session fees: Varies by session selected. Many are offered at no additional cost.

Additional banquet ticket(s): $30 each
Instructional kits (optional): $100 with the due date of May 15, 2022

*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 one evening 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.

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Registration

 Pay dues online:

  1. Go to your WAAE online account  at https://wisconsinaged.org/waae/
  2. Login to My Account or create a login for your personal WAAE account
  3. At the bottom of the login page choose "Conference Registration" and follow the prompts.
  4. If you are only paying dues, at bottom of login page choose "Join/Renew Membership" and it will also print an invoice for you.

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.

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Conference Schedule

2022 Professional Development Schedule - Radisson Hotel, 200 Second Street South, La Crosse, WI 

Sunday, June 26
11 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
3 p.m. 
4-9 p.m.
6:30-9 p.m.

 		 New Teacher Program
WAAE Board Meeting  
Exhibitor Registration and Set-Up                                                              
Conference Registration   
      
                                                                                  

Monday, June 27
7:00 a.m. - 8 a.m.
8 a.m. - 2 p.m.
9 a.,m. - 2 p.m.
10 a.m. - 11:00 p.m.
12:00 p.m.  
12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
1:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
5:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.


 
 		 Exhibitor Registration and Set-Up
Educational Expo - View Exhibits! 
District Leadership Training for Hosting Advisors
Professional Development Sessions
Guest Speaker
Lunch 
Sectional and Committee Meetings
Dinner on your own as you attend the social event of choice.

 

 

Tuesday, June 28 
8:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

8:15 a.m.
11:15 a.m.
11:30 a.m.- 12:00 p.m.
12:00  p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
6:00 - 8:30 p.m.
8:30-9:00 p.m.




























 		 Members drive to the barn venue, Country Reflections, and load tour buses at 8:30 a.m. to your tour of choice. 
Bus returns tour groups back to the barn for lunch as a group.
Kwik Trip (La Crosse) Tour bus loads at Radisson Hotel on the waterside at 8:30 a.m. 
Bus returns to Radisson after tour. 
Members from Kwik Trip tour drive themselves to the barn venue (Country Reflections) to join lunch as a group.
Lunch as a group at the barn venue.
Professional Development at the barn venue (Country Reflections).
Evening picnic at the barn venue (Country Reflections).
Members return to Radisson Hotel, LaCrosse
NOTE:  Tuesday everyone will tour in the morning.   
Be sure to dress comfortably for the day.   
There will be no alcoholic beverages allowed at the picnic.  

























 
 
 Wednesday, June 29 
 8:00 - 11:30 a.m.
11:45 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
1:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
5:00 p.m.
5:30 p.m.
6:30 p.m.		 Professional Development Sessions   
Speaker, luncheon   
20-Year Club luncheon nad Postsecondary luncheon and meeting
Professional Development 
Social Hour            
Banquet Dinner
Awards Presentation

Thursday, June 30

9:00 - 10:00 a.m.
9:00 - 10:00 a.m.
9:00 - 11:00 a.m.

 		 Professional Development Sessions 
CDE Committee Meeting
WAAE Board Meeting

 
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Sessions

Click here to get more details about submitting session proposals.

Click here to get session grid

 

Sunday   11:00am to 5:00pm
New Teacher Workshop
Presented by: Ryan Seichter, TBD
Cost: Included in conference fees
New teachers should plan to attend this informative, interactive session where we will meet key faces in agriculture education, allow for networking, questioning and hook new teachers up with resources and swag! Sponsorships are available for the entire conference for just this session, contact Nicole Nelson or Jamie Propson for details.
Sunday   2:00pm to 5:00pm
NAAE XLR8 Program
Presented by: Rachel Sauvola, FFA/SAE/Catch all
Cost: Included in conference fees
Open to 20-25 teachers in years 7-15 who need a spring in their step for retention. Must complete NAAE application before attending.
Monday   9:00am to 2:00pm
2023 District Leadership Development Event Host Training
Presented by: Cheryl Zimmerman
Cost: Included in conference fees
All FFA chapter advisors who are scheduled to host 2019 FFA District Leadership Development Events should attend this workshop. 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.
Monday   10:00am to 11:00am
*I will be presenting or assisting with a session.
Cost: Included in conference fees
*I will not attend due to other responsibilities
Presented by: Kathy
Cost: Included in conference fees
Agriculture PBL/ Capstone
Presented by: Kayla Loewenhagen
Cost: Included in conference fees
This session will walk you through a Agriscience PBL Class and Provide the resources to facilitate a class where the students take ownerships over a project and follow through until Completion. This was started in Fall Creek and now has become the Senior Capstone requirement for all Seniors. I will discuss from start to finish how to support your students in the project based learning activity.
APES for AG
Presented by: Jillian Garde, Janet Meister
Cost: Included in conference fees
We will teach you various intereactive labs that teach about environemntal science topics related to agricutlure.
Farm Business Annual Report/Data Review
Presented by: Aimee Schomburg
Cost: Included in conference fees
Review 2021 area farm financial data.
Farm Technology Days 2021*FREE* Curriculum & Lesson Plans
Presented by: Adam Wehling
Cost: Included in conference fees
The 2021 Eau Claire County Farm Technology Days team developed a legacy project, FREE curriculum for everyone! Elementary, Middle and High School lessons with professional videos have been created and are perfect for your classroom or Food For America programs. Come and learn more about these resources, get a printed copy, learn about the farms behind these FREE resources! Farms highlight: the worlds largest horse radish farm; a local family owned dairy; the most award winning Gouda farm; mid-wests largest apple orchard, world largest kidney bean producer; and the worlds largest atlantic salmon & leafy green aquaponics farm.
Farming Simulator
Presented by: Rick Bierbrauer
Cost: Included in conference fees
This session will go over how to run a farming simulator in class with your students. The game goes over a mock year in how to run a farming enterprise. Participants will leave the session with all materials to implement this in class
Forest Products Industry Career Opportunities
Presented by: Logan Wells
Cost: Included in conference fees
Join this workshop to learn about careers in Forest Products Industry and the Wood Technology Center of Excellence in Antigo, WI. As a satellite campus of Northcentral Technical College, this 27,000 square foot facility provides students the opportunity to build the skills needed for a successful career in the forest products and wood manufacturing industry.
Gamify SAE's
Presented by: Beth Babcock, Becky Grabarski
Cost: Included in conference fees
Introducing SAEs can be a challenging thing. Exploring Immersion SAE ideas is formidable. Showing their benefits can be a hard concept to make interactive and engaging. Come see our newest inventions: games!!! We will take time to play a board game to learn about the parts of an SAE. The other game we will play is similar to Apples to Apples and a great way to explore the SAE cards and come up with SAE ideas. Come to learn about the games, play a few rounds, and take home new ideas.
Hydroponics Success, Failures, and Sharing of Ideas
Presented by: Aaron Kilsdonk, Tom Sebranek
Cost: Included in conference fees
Hydroponics and Aquaponics have become very popular in Agri-science classes over the past few years. Come to this session to hear what works and what doesn't work with certain set-ups, the best nutrients to use, cleaning, and how to control algae and other problems. We will also have time to discuss your successes and failures and try to come up with solutions.
NAAE XLR8 Program
Presented by: Rachel Sauvola, FFA/SAE/Catch all
Cost: Included in conference fees
Open to 20-25 teachers in years 7-15 who need a spring in their step for retention. Must complete NAAE application before attending.
National Board Certification
Presented by: Michelle Howe
Cost: Included in conference fees
Participants will learn about what it takes to become Nationally Board Certified and the financial and personal benefits that Nationally Board Certified teachers receive. They will also learn about the support system in Wisconsin so that they are successful.
National Chapter Award Application
Presented by: Mary Handrich
Cost: Included in conference fees
Come learn the "How to's" on filling out the National Chapter Award application. The National Chapter Award Program is designed to recognize FFA chapters that actively implement the mission and strategies of the organization. This workshop will give you a basic introduction on how to begin filling out the application along with creating a stronger POA and why chapters should consider filling out the application for recognition.
Planning for Retirement
Presented by: Roger King
Cost: Included in conference fees
When is the right time to retire, leaving a program in good hands, handing over the program, what to do next
Work Smarter Not Harder - How to Integrate National FFA Teacher Resources
Presented by: Emma Huber
Cost: Included in conference fees
National FFA has created a surplus of teacher resources available to all of us, but sorting through them can sometimes be daunting. Join Emma Huber, National FFA Teacher Ambassador, to go over popular FFA Teacher Resources, where they can be found and how to integrate them into your classroom. Let National FFA help you work smarter, not harder when it comes to creating content for our classrooms.
Monday   2:30pm to 3:30pm
I will be attending a committee, sectional or other meeting
Pathway: Other
Cost: Included in conference fees
Monday   3:45pm to 4:45pm
I will be attending a committee, sectional or other meeting
Pathway: Other
Cost: Included in conference fees
Tuesday   8:30am to 11:30am
*I will be presenting or assisting with a session.
Cost: Included in conference fees
*I will not attend due to other responsibilities
Presented by: Kathy
Cost: Included in conference fees
Cranberry Bog & Processing Facility Tour
Presented by: Aimee Schomburg, Habelman Brothers Cranberries
Cost: Included in conference fees
Come tour a couple of the cranberry bogs in bloom and learn all things cranberries, from the field to the processing facility.
Holmen AgriScience Program Tour
Presented by: Joelle Liddane, Jason Hovell
Cost: Included in conference fees
See how Holmen AgriScience Program makes use of their ag facilities including a food production greenhouse, native Wisconsin aquaculture lab, ag lab/shop, classroom, asparagus garden, and apple orchard. Check out how we incorporate Farm2School and discover how you can provide simple and impactful activities to your students coming from urban and rural backgrounds.
Kwik Trip Processing Tour
Presented by: Kayla Martinson, Amy Gerhardt
Cost: Included in conference fees
Kwik Trip is head-quartered in LaCrosse, WI. Their facilities include a bakery and dairy processing plant. This workshop is your chance to see the facilities that process and package these staples of the KT experience. We hope to "see you" sign up for this tour!
Mathews, Inc.- Archery Manufacturer Tour
Presented by: Brad Treu or Luke Schwarz
Cost: Included in conference fees
Educators will travel to and tour the Mathews Archery manufacturing plant and archery area in Sparta, WI.
Meet your Meat
Presented by: Kally Koch, Dakota Bockenhauer, Kory Stalsberg, SWTC Fennimore, WI 201 South Iowa St
Cost: Included in conference fees
This session will be off site at Craig's Meats located approximately 30 min from LaCrosse. At Craig's Meats we will be covering carcass grading, primal/ retail cut breakdown as well as sausage processing. All of these lessons will be in small groups and hands on.
Precision Agriculture
Presented by: Matt Rhodenhizer
Cost: Included in conference fees
Precision Agriculture Specialist, Matt Rhodenhizer, from St. Joseph's Equipment will conduct an on site equipment demonstration featuring technology utilized for precision farming practices.
Stream Shocking
Presented by: Eric Follendorf - Kirk Olson, Kirk Olson
Cost: $20.00 (Optional)
What you get: Busing
Ever wonder how fish populations are determined in streams? This workshop will be a shocking experience. Join Kirk Olson and his team as you go out to a local stream for this eye opening experience.
Tour of Bangor Aquaponics Facilities
Presented by: Rick Bierbrauer
Cost: Included in conference fees
Join this session to tour local aquaponics facilities. LYFE Gardens: W1362 Mason Road Bangor, WI 54614. Superior Fresh: W15506 Superior Fresh Dr, Hixton, WI 54635
Tuesday   1:30pm to 4:30pm
*I will not attend a session or I have board duties.
Pathway: Other
Cost: Included in conference fees
*I will not attend due to other responsibilities
Presented by: Kathy
Cost: Included in conference fees
Animal Science-tips and labs to make your program succeed!
Presented by: Adam Zwiefelhofer, Becky Schley
Cost: Included in conference fees
Labs, lessons and resources will be covered to develop and enhance your high school animal science curriculum. Focus will be put on those labs and lessons covered in trancripted courses to technical colleges.
Applications in Forestry – Chainsaws, Chainsaw Use, and Tree Felling
Presented by: Les Werner, Ph.D., TBD
Cost: Included in conference fees
Enhance your knowledge of chainsaw safety and tree felling. Participants will learn about chainsaws, their safe operation, and directional felling techniques. Join us to view demonstrations and participate in some hands-on learning opportunities.
Country Reflections- Value Added Agriculture Event Venue Tour
Presented by: Greg Schauf
Cost: Included in conference fees
Greg Schauf, owner/operator of Country Reflections will take educators on a tour of another agribusiness venture that some classify as value added agriculture. Take an inside look this example of how a "Century Wisconsin Family Dairy Farm" can be developed and maintained as an event venue.
DNR Safety Education (ATV, Boat and Snowmobile)
Presented by: Kim Cooley (Or Other DNR Staff)
Cost: Included in conference fees
Training for both new instructors and recertification for current instructors. Attendees will be certified to conduct DNR ATV/UTV, Snowmobile and Boating classes in schools, summer school or after school for students to gain these certifications and operate these machines safely. NEW Applicants: Please complete and submit form 8500-161 Apprentice Background Form) in advance of conference (https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/Volunteer/InstructorForms) to kimberly.cooley@wisconsin.gov
Drones and Agricultural Applications
Presented by: Shawn Creviston, Brent Christianson
Cost: Included in conference fees
Drones have numerous applications in the agriculture industry. Learn more about what it takes to fly a drone, FAA regulations, types of applications for drones and software that can be used in the agriculture industry. Learn from experienced drone pilots and training opportunities at Chippewa Valley Technical College.
Fishing Rod Building in the Classroom
Presented by: Anthony Youmans, Buzz Butters
Cost: Included in conference fees
Rod Building 101 overview for teachers. We will go over each step and demonstrate the techniques used in building custom fishing rods with students. We will also cover tips and tricks that can be implemented when building fishing rods in the class room.
Foldscope Microscope - These things are SO COOL!
Presented by: LINDA SATTLER, NATHANIEL NOLDEN
Cost: $6.00 (Required)
What you get: Foldable Microscope Kit
Want to get your kids more scope time -- do you have labs that require microscopes but don't have enough or don't have the expertise to make it work for you and your kids. Have you been unsuccessful with focusing your microscope? Do you have limited funds? Are you looking for a summer school or elementary group idea? We GOT IT -- I'm not kidding these things are SO COOL! Please bring a lab that asks for a microscope to share.
Leveling Instruments Activities in Soil and Water Conservation/Engineering
Presented by: Steve Schauf
Cost: Included in conference fees
Learn how to conduct outdoor lab activities with your students with both conventional and laser leveling instruments. Hands on exercises in setting up the instruments, reading elevation rods, conducting slope determination, profile and differential leveling labs will be shared and utilized. Educators will practice setting up equipment and recording elevation readings on outdoor sites. Ag teachers can walk away with the instructions, process and ability to conduct these labs that can be used to teach soil and water conservation and land management/judging.
Ruminant Animal Digestion - Keep it Simple!
Presented by: Dr. Andrew "Marty" Martin
Cost: Included in conference fees
Dr. Marty will cover anatomy, and functions of the digestive system of the ruminant animal using practical and simple terms that you will understand! Duplicatable and tested ideas for teaching the material will also be shared. At the end of this workshop, you will be more confident to teach ruminant digestion in your classroom Dr. Andrew "Marty" Martin is a large animal veterinarian in Central Wisconsin that partners with the Neillsville HS Agriculture Department.
Something Fishy- DIY Fish Taxidermy
Presented by: Kally Koch
Cost: $20.00 (Required)
What you get: Taxidermy kit for you to take home
I will walk you through the steps of fish taxidermy from beginning to end. This is a project that is great for wildlife classes and is completely hands-on. I will advise you it may not always smell the best but you will take home a great hands-on, multiple-day lesson that fits well into any natural resource, wildlife or ecology class.
Teaching Genetics with Cookies
Presented by: Kaitlin Spierings
Cost: Included in conference fees
Cellular genetics can be a difficult topic to teach and describe to students. In this session i'll demonstrate how I teach cellular genetics including DNA structure, organelle function, and protein synthesis using an analogy of chocolate chip cookies. This topic is then applied to demonstrating inheritance patterns in common livestock with punnett squares. Electronic copies of materials will be shared with attendees. *This is the lesson I deliver for the Genetics unit in Animal Science Fundamentals at FVTC which is articulated for dual credit offerings at many area high schools.
Tuesday   1:30pm to 4:30pm
Farm Business Dairy Tour
Presented by: Aimee Schomburg, Farm Business Tour
Cost: Included in conference fees
We will tour a local dairy that discusses the details of how they achieve high milk production and what their success goals look like.
Tuesday   1:30pm to 3:00pm
Horticulture Projects in Bucket
Presented by: Don Josko
Cost: $25.00 (Required)
What you get: All supplies and handouts-pail, seeds, cuttings, soil
Participants will learn hands-on methods of using 5 gal bucket to propagate tree seeds, woody cuttings, produce vegetables in a 5 gal bucket. All supplies and handouts provided. Bring a battery-operated drill, 3/8", 1/2" 5/8" drill bits, measure tape, handsaw, black marker, stapler with staples, scissors. Cost for workshop-$25
Tuesday   3:00pm to 4:30pm
Learn Basic Pruning Techniques and Woody Plant Morphology and Physiology
Presented by: Don Josko
Cost: $20.00 (Required)
What you get: Powerpoint presentation with handouts and samples
Participants will get a hands-on lesson on teaching woody plant morphology (plant internal and external structure) and Physiology (how the structures work) followed up by applied hand-on ruing. Participants will receive a powerpoint presentation by providing their email address. Please bring a hand pruner and lopper. Handouts and samples provided. Cost is $20
Wednesday   8:00am to 11:30am
"Be a Genius About the Things that Mater and Lazy About the Things that Don't"
Presented by: Amie Dienger, Tiffany Schaffner
Cost: Included in conference fees
What is your truest and most beautiful life? In this 1-1/2 hours session we will dive into living our truest lives. We will take a look at what is and isn’t important in both our work and personal lives. You will gain practical hands on knowledge and tools on how to be a genius about things that matter to you and lazy about the stuff that doesn’t. Work through giving yourself permission to do things your own way. Be empowered to stop asking others for directions to your life and learn how to read your own directions. You don’t need a new list of things to do; you need a new way to see.
*I will be presenting or assisting with a session.
Cost: Included in conference fees
*I will not attend a session or I have board duties.
Pathway: Other
Cost: Included in conference fees
Beekeeping for Beginners
Presented by: Adam Wehling
Cost: Included in conference fees
This workshop is SWEET! Topics include honeybee terminology, beekeeping equipment, hive management, pest management, pollinator habitat, SAE applications/careers, beekeeping classes at Chippewa Valley Technical College. An optional kit can be purchased to use as an educational tool in your classroom. A google folder will be shared with links and resources.
Biotechnology for Every Agriculture Path!
Presented by: Candice Franks, Gwen Boettcher
Cost: Included in conference fees
Genetics, GMO's, biotechnology, biofuels, bioengineering, biomanufacturing, gene editing. What does it all mean? How does it impact the future of agriculture? How should agriculture teachers prepare their students for the future of agriculture? Beginner to Intermediate hands-on lessons utilizing biotechnology topics for many pathways in agriculture. From animals, plants, and biofuel, biotechnology is integral in the future of agriculture. Join this workshop for lessons that can be incorporated in grades 9-12 classrooms, including transcription opportunities with Madison College for agriculture teachers. Teachers will leave the workshop with lesson resources and hands-on printable materials for courses like Exploring Ag, Animal Science, Veterinary Science, Environmental and more!
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, including the Tribal Adaptation Handbook and Wisconsin Initiative on Climate Change report and website.
Enhancing Your FFA Officer Training
Presented by: Tari Costello, Ryan Seichter, Kris Beaver
Cost: Included in conference fees
Are you happy with your FFA Officer Training? Looking to make some changes? Want to try some new activities? Join us to get some fresh ideas and be prepared to share your great ideas as well!
FVTC Dual Credit Summit
Presented by: Kaitlin Spierings
Cost: Included in conference fees
This session will be- an opporutnity for instructors to complete the required summit training to allow for programs to offer FVTC agriculture courses for dual credit to their students. This session is intended for programs that have articulated with FVTC in the past or have already completed the preliminary requirements through the FVTC office of K-12 partnerships.
Implementing your own Nutrient Deficiency Lab
Presented by: Joshua Capodarco, Mark Hoffmann
Cost: Included in conference fees
During this session, you will learn about a Nutrient Deficiency Lab designed by Mark Hoffmann, AP Biology Teacher, and Josh Capodarco, Agricultural Educator, at Portage High School. The lab is designed to be conducted using low-cost supplies and can be approached from an Inquiry approach or a more traditional approach. The presentation will present the lab design, approach for students at varied levels and explain how you can adapt this lab for your classroom.
NAAE XLR8 Program
Presented by: Rachel Sauvola, FFA/SAE/Catch all
Cost: Included in conference fees
Open to 20-25 teachers in years 7-15 who need a spring in their step for retention. Must complete NAAE application before attending.
Scheduling Greenhouse Crops
Presented by: Don Josko
Cost: $15.00 (Required)
What you get: power point presentation and handouts
Participants will learn how to schedule greenhouse crops from seeds, cuttings and purchased plugs. Purchasing sources and timing of purchases will also be presented. Com with your email address and a copy of the presentation on power point will be sent to you. Handouts provided. Costs-$15.00
State CDE Contest Discussion Recap & Planning for 2023
Presented by: Diane Morgan, Ken Engelke
Cost: Included in conference fees
Members will have a chance to discuss what went well, what needs improvement, and solutions for future CDE planning. Qualification plans, Virtual Screening, Contest Make -Up and how to make WI CDE's stronger and more accessible to all FFA members. Suggested changes for 2023 and future will be gathered to help with planning WI CDE's.
Wednesday   8:00am to 9:30am
Advocating for Agriculture through Teaching Agriculture Communications
Presented by: Lucas VanEgtern, Katelyn Dei
Cost: Included in conference fees
Telling the story of agriculture is more important today than ever before. Gain instructional activities to incorporate into any class on how to positively promote agriculture after diving into new and controversial topics related to agriculture, food and natural resources. We will discuss how these methods can then be used in various FFA activities and competitions.
Wednesday   9:00am to 10:00am
Hands-On Calf Care Lab
Presented by: Aimee Schomburg, Aimee Schomburg, Minnie Ward
Cost: Included in conference fees
Join us to learn all about what blood and milk can tell us about raising healthy calves(and other younger critters). This will be a hands-on workshop designed to give you ideas about what you can do in your classroom or on-farm to increase the success of raising baby animals.
Wednesday   10:00am to 11:30am
Food Science without a Kitchen
Presented by: Lucas VanEgtern, Katelyn Dei
Cost: Included in conference fees
Nervous about teaching Food Science without having all of bells and whistles of a foods lab kitchen? Come and learn ways to teach food science concepts that do not require tons of expensive equipment. Some topics discussed can be used both in the classroom or for FFA activities or competitions.
Wednesday   10:00am to 11:00pm
Farm Business Management Session-Instructor Sharing
Presented by: Aimee Schomburg
Cost: Included in conference fees
Farm Business Management Instructor Sharing Session-come learn tips, useful resources, and other helpful tools Farm Business management instructors use to work with area farmers to achieve financial success.
Wednesday   10:30am to 12:00pm
20-Year Club Meeting and Luncheon
Presented by: David Laatsch
Cost: $15.00 (Required)
What you get: Meal
Attend 1.5 hour social and meeting with lunch to follow at noon on Wednesday, June 29, 2022. Recognitions of new retires, new 20-year members and Team Ag Ed reports will be given by DPI, FFA, WTCS, and WAAE.
Wednesday   11:00am to 11:30am
FBPM Instructor Sharing & Lender/Accountant Panel
Presented by: Aimee Schomburg
Cost: Included in conference fees
Wednesday   11:00am to 11:30am
FBPM Instructor Sharing & Lender/Accountant Panel
Presented by: Aimee Schomburg
Cost: Included in conference fees
Wednesday   12:00pm to 1:00pm
Post Secondary Luncheon & Meeting
Presented by: Tim Buttles
Cost: Included in conference fees
Luncheon with post-secondary peers.
Wednesday   1:30pm to 4:00pm
*I will be presenting or assisting with a session.
Cost: Included in conference fees
*I will not attend due to other responsibilities
Presented by: Kathy
Cost: Included in conference fees
*WAAE Board Banquet Prep
Pathway: Other
Cost: Included in conference fees
WAAE Board Banquet Prep
Bridging Classroom Cranberry Lessons to Cran-Careers
Presented by: Heidi Slinkman, Pam Verhulst
Cost: Included in conference fees
Educators will gain a foundational knowledge of growing and protecting a cranberry crop while learning of the career roles that support the cranberry industry.
Dual Credit Opportunities with Lakeshore Technical College
Presented by: Liz Gartman, David Hermann
Cost: Included in conference fees
We will address the courses and process for completing dual credit in the agriculture programs at LTC. Instructors will have the opportunity to ask questions about the process and procedures required to receive credits for their students.
FFA Survival Session
Presented by: Shalynn Domke, Jenny Herman
Cost: Included in conference fees
This is created for new teachers so welcome to being an Ag teacher and FFA advisor. Now where to begin? Your list will be endless, but we have the start of your journey to survival and success. Here we will dive into the essentials to know as you begin your career. This includes, but not limited to, tips and tricks from vets, field trip starters, email organization, and, drum roll please....A FFA GO TO BAG!
Learning Logs Organize your Classroom Structure
Presented by: Walter Taylor, Danielle Mihalski
Cost: Included in conference fees
Did you check out the learning log for today? Today, you will walk away feeling refreshed as you take agricultural education by the horns. Learning Logs AKA "hyperdocs", are what Wally and Danielle use every day to keep their classes organized, on task, and advancing through the student learning process. This form of educational delivery is not necessarily new, but is an amazing way to stay organized for semesters and years to come. You will not understand it's amazingness until you have to teach the same class again. Once you do, and you transform all classes into this electronic format, you will be happy, save time, and truly become a reflective practitioner in the Danielson's Framework of Educator Effectiveness.
NAAE XLR8 Program
Presented by: Rachel Sauvola, FFA/SAE/Catch all
Cost: Included in conference fees
Open to 20-25 teachers in years 7-15 who need a spring in their step for retention. Must complete NAAE application before attending.
Owl Vision: A New Inclusive Curriculum
Presented by: Natasha Paris
Cost: Included in conference fees
Are you an Owl who wants to improve your vision for all of your students? If you value inclusion and diversity in the classroom but don't know where to get resources or how to modify typical ag topics to be more inclusive and equitable, this workshop is for you! Come learn about narrative theory, decolonizing history, and using inclusive language. You will be given fully implementable lessons and unit plans.
Perennial Agriculture, from Agroforestry to Kernza
Presented by: Diane Meyerfield
Cost: Included in conference fees
"Annual crops, including corn, soybeans, and wheat, dominate our agricultural landscape. Although annual crops provide us with abundant food, fiber, and fuel, they do have their downsides, including soil health impacts and water pollution. In response to these issues, researchers are increasingly looking to perennial cropping systems to provide food while also helping solve environmental problems, from habitat loss and water pollution to climate change. Some perennial crops, such as fruit trees and pastures, are familiar but may be managed in different ways to optimize environmental, economic, and social benefits. Other crops, such as Kernza®, are just emerging. This session will draw on a number of resources, including the University of Missouri’s Agroforestry curriculum, the Kernza® in Context curriculum, and resources from Grassland 2.0 to explore how perennial crops could help transform our food system. "
Smart Agriculture: Drone Technology
Presented by: Mary Fronek, Deb Ihm-Southwest Technical College, Adam Wehling, Chippewa Valley Technical College
Cost: Included in conference fees
Drones are the new frontier of agriculture we will discuss the safety and regulations of utilizing drones and completing the FAA Part 107 test. We will also discuss various industries using drones and their applications, simulators available for use in high schools, explore different drone purchase options for various applications, and how to use data to make decisions. At the end we will have a show and tell of different drones (Flight demo if allowable).
Wednesday   1:30pm to 3:00pm
FBPM Instructor Sharing & Lender/Accountant Panel
Presented by: Aimee Schomburg
Cost: Included in conference fees
Wednesday   3:00pm to 4:00pm
Farm Business Management Session: On-farm Financial Tools
Presented by: Aimee Schomburg, Sara Maass-Pate, Kory Stalsberg
Cost: Included in conference fees
General FBPM Training Session
Thursday 10:00am  to  
*I will be presenting or assisting with a session.
Cost: Included in conference fees
*I will not attend a session or I have board duties.
Pathway: Other
Cost: Included in conference fees
Integrating Agriscience Fair Into Your Classes
Presented by: Danielle Reed
Cost: Included in conference fees
If you have ever wondered how to increase participation in Agriscience Fair and/or incorporate it right into your curriculum, this is the session for you! We will discuss a couple of ways to incorporate Agriscience Fair right into your class, how to adapt the project for different classes, and have time for questions/collaborations.
Movers, Shakers, and Notetakers
Presented by: Kayla Loewenhagen
Cost: Included in conference fees
Agriculture Students like to learn by being active. This workshop includes a collection of teaching strategies and techniques to help engage those students who love to learn by being active. The strategies in this workshop includes content delivery, partnering and mixing students, and reviewing. Participants will have the opportunity to be engaged and experience how these strategies can be adapted to their classrooms. Each teacher will leave with a collection of strategies ready for implementation.
Negotiating for Success
Presented by: Paul Majors
Cost: Included in conference fees
Depending upon the preference (if any at all) I could either present a workshop on negotiation skills or I have also taught a popular personal development workshop titled Negotiating with the most challenging person, ourselves. The first workshop teaches over 18 different negotiating techniques and how to use them to save yourself and your chapter money and how to get others to accept your ideas etc. The second option teaches people how to learn to leverage themselves to get through challenges in their lives and train themselves to succeed. Regarding the presentation time choices below, I am currently flexible and will fill in as the committee wishes or if the committee has other priorities and wants to keep my options available as last minute fill ins as needed that is fine too. It has been several years since I presented this at PDC.
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Exhibitors

Exhibitor Registration Form

The Wisconsin Association of Agricultural Educators would like to invite its partners to be a part of the 2022 WAAE Professional Development Conference Educational Expo.

THE 2022 CONFERENCE WILL BE AN IN-PERSON in La Crosse, WI.
All exhibitors who have paid their booth fee will be highlighted online.  Contact executivedirector@waae.com or call (608)354-6450 with any questions.

2022 Educational Expo Exhibitor Information Letter

About the Educational Expo
Date: Monday, June 27, 2022
Location: Radisson Hotel, La Crosse, Wisconsin
Time: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m. 
       Exhibitor prize drawing at lunch.

Self-directed set-up: Sunday, June 26 - 4-9 p.m.
Registration and set-up: Monday, June 27 - 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 for Monday's Conference luncheon. Additional lunch tickets $12

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: May 25

If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact Kathy Hartmann-Breunig, at executivedirector@waae.com or 608-354-6450.

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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.  It has been a difficult year with the many different facets of teaching (virtual, in-person, hybrid).  Sponsorship will be greatly appreciated this year!   

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 will highlight all sponsors on the website using logos supplied by each business as well as printed programs and materials distributed at the conference.  

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. 

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Hotel Reservations

Radisson La Crosse Housing block is open now! 

Ways to book:   

  • Hotel link:  2022 Hotel Link
  • If the code does not automatically register, use Promotional Code WAAE22
  • Call 608-784-6680, and select option 1
  • Radisson Hotel, 200 Second Street South, La Crosse, WI
  • Reference room block for "PDC for Wisconsin Association of Agricultural Educators"


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  
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Thank you to these Professional Development Conference Sponsors!