FFA Alumni Holds Its Annual Banquet

The Thorp Courier (Thorp, WI)
January 31, 2007
Transcribed by Dolores Mohr Kenyon
 

The 28th Annual FFA Alumni Banquet was held on Saturday, January 27, 2007 at the Thorp Legion hall. The evening was filled with events and laughter. The evening started with a dinner of chicken, ham, mashed potatoes with gravy and all the extras. Cake for dessert and of course milk was also served.

After we ate all the delicious food we headed upstairs for a very informative presentation from Nick Schneider the Crops and Soils Agent for the Clark County UW Extension office. Mr. Schneider discussed many interesting points on current farm topics and Clark County specific information. He was an interesting and informative speaker with lots of details about farming in Clark County.

Mr. Schneider felt that the community farms succeed in this area because they are so diverse. A multitude of crops are grown in this area as well as Horticulture and farmers market produce. He went on to state that 56 percent of the county’s economy is from farming. When exploring this further you find that 39 percent of all jobs are related to agriculture such as veterinary, field workers, dairy jobs, construction and implements.

There are four cows to every person in this state. When you consider that a single cow can generate around $2,000.00 worth of revenue, it is a costly investment with great reward if the circumstances are right. Farming however, can be risky business and there are no guarantees. Certain variables are always a consideration. Weather and fuel costs are just a few obstacles. Despite the risks, considering the rewards, it is a very good time to be involved in Agriculture. Mr. Schneider stated that there is a lot to be done, but he believes in the future of farming.

Two awards were presented at this year’s banquet. The Senior Farmer award went to Ron and Alice Ciolkosz. Ron likes to ice fish and hunt when he is not tending to his beef cattle. When Alice is not busy managing Goldstar Sportswear, she and Ron like to ride their four wheelers. They enjoy the land and Ron has made some trails with the bulldozer. They have a daughter, Cindy; and two sons, Randy and Bobbie; a daughter-in-law, Kristie; and two grandchildren, Dylan and Katie.
 

Thorp FFA Alumni Banquet was held Saturday, January 27, at the Thorp Legion Hall. Connie Gulcynski presented Ron and Alice Ciolkosz with the Senior Farmer Award.