WASCOE Distinguished Service Awards-2009

DSA Award for Service to NASCOE - WASCOE

It is my extreme honor to nominate this individual for the WASCOE Distinguished Service Award for service to WASCOE – NASCOE.

A little background: We became friends almost immediately about 20 years ago at an all ASCS employees meeting.  Neither of us cared what job title we held, we only knew that we were both employed to serve the farmers in Wisconsin. Many meetings came and went with fun, frolic and frustration for the next ten years when low and behold my friend became the new WASCOE Vice President, with little to no experience in the workings of WASCOE! That is when I first learned that beer – opps strike that – peer pressure can get to the best of all of us!

Four months into his new term as WASCOE Vice President, he received a call from the then WASCOE President whom informed him that he was leaving ASCS to be a CEO for some electric company and informed him that he would be the new WASCOE President! As panic raced through is body, he realized that he had to appoint a new Vice President! I imagine his thoughts went about like this “Geeze, there are so many people that would do a good job as the VP, but who would be dumb enough to agree to do it if I asked?”  For the rest of that story you’ll have to wait until the sequel!

Then came the bumbling, stumbling, fumbling transition to the title of WASCOE President! The first WASCOE Convention held in LaCrosse after he became the new President was closely directed by his long time friend, Linda Feldkamp. That convention gave him confidence and he propelled himself into the WASCOE leadership position.   

After he served almost six years of service as the WASCOE President, he ran for and was elected to the NASCOE Midwest Area Alternate Executive Committee position.  He served in that position for a year and was then he was elected to be the “Big Dog” Midwest Area Executive Director for the past two years.  Upon the non-stop travel, teleconferences and the State meetings he has to attend, he still devotes a good share of his time to serve as the WASCOE CAP WIZ Coordinator!

In all of the above mentioned offices that he has held, one thing to this day still remains constant: His number one goal is to ensure the well being of all FSA employees and that each and every farmer in Wisconsin is treated with the dignity and respect they so truly deserve!

Therefore, I respectfully submit this nomination for Service to WASCOE to my friend, co-worker, and mentor, Mr. Jonathan Williams

Respectfully submitted,

Tom Oasen, WASCOE Member

DSA Award for Agriculture

We would like to nominate Denise Braukhoff for the Distinguished Service Award for Agriculture.

Denise has served on the Janesville FFA Alumni board for many years. She has helped many youth involved in FFA by serving as a chaperone on trips, helping to encourage members with their projects and activities and helping with the Food for America program. She chairs the food stand for the FFA career development event each year for the 500 FFA members attending the contest. She and her husband Dan attend the State FFA Alumni convention most years.

Denise has been a 4-H project leader and on the advisory board for the past 10 years. She has been a dairy leader, swine leader, and house plants leader. She has helped in the houseplant and vet science departments of the fair for many years. She also has served as a chairman for our club Adopt-a-Highway and Board Games at Huntington Place activities. She pretty much shows up to work at most of our 4-H activities. She's judged record books, presented awards at 4-H banquets, and helped to guide numerous 4-H members over the years. She spends countless hours before the fair and during the fair helping out youngsters with their projects. Denise has worked at the fair ever since she graduated out of 4-H back in the mid-80's. She currently serves on the Museum Committee of the Rock County 4-H fair.

Denise has been the driving force behind the “drive-up” at the Rock County Pork Fest each year serving over 2,000 customers.  

After the death of  Dan's dad, Denise and Dan took over the farm in addition to farming their own. Denise is always promoting agriculture to anyone she comes in contact with.  She never misses any of the Dairy breakfasts, beef cookouts, or agricultural activities in Rock County.

Denise has also been helping at the Children's Christmas Benefit for Rock County for many years. She collects and organizes the cookies that are used, stays to help clean up, and works at the event. This benefit raises money to help rural families in Rock County.  

Denise also helps out at her church and at school. At one time, she was very active in PTA at Washington Elementary School in Janesville. Her kids are now in high school, so she isn't active in PTA. She has always helped where needed and been involved with many different organizations.

For her many and varied contributions to the field of agriculture, we feel Denise Braukhoff is very deserving of the Distinguished Service to Agriculture Award.

Respectively submitted,

Kathy Morton and Judy Shambow

DSA Award for Community Service

It is with great pleasure that I nominate Linda Feldkamp for the Distinguished Service Award for Community Service.

You don’t hear Linda talk about the things she does, but it is time she gets the recognition she deserves.  Linda has been a member of the VFW Auxiliary for over 30 years. She has held several leadership positions within the organization and is now in line to become the Department (State) president.  This is a very honorable position because as the Department president, she will oversee several thousand WI members and the many service projects that the VFW Auxiliary participates in. Currently, Linda is in charge of the state cancer program and she has done an exemplary job in keeping all members informed of the programs and how the members can do more to help out. Between local, district and state events, Linda devotes a staggering amount of time on behalf of our nation’s veterans.

Linda has also been involved in her church for at least as many years and has held many positions in the church organization.

Linda has been a very active member of WASCOE and has held every executive position within the association. She is the “count on” person when WASCOE needs something done.

When Linda was the treasurer for WASCOE, she was also entrusted as the treasurer for the VFW and for her church.  She was managing four check books, including her own home, and came through each and every audit without any errors.  That is pretty remarkable and speaks of Linda’s attention to detail as well.

The time that Linda devotes to all these community organizations is incredible and yet, she always has a smile on her face and is willing to lend a hand.  I know that there is a lot more that can be listed on Linda’s behalf, but the years of devotion to the above mentioned items alone shows the commitment that this amazing woman has for the community and for our veterans.

I humbly request that Linda be selected for this well-deserved award.

Respectfully submitted,

Deb Esselman