meta Association of Women in Agriculture Announces Award Winners :: The Bullvine - The Dairy Information You Want To Know When You Need It

Association of Women in Agriculture Announces Award Winners


The Association of Women in Agriculture (AWA) recognized special award winners for their outstanding service and contribution to the organization during the annual AWA Day held at the Pyle Center on the UW-Madison Campus on Saturday, March 21.

Besides the annual meeting that took place, attendees enjoyed a meal overlooking the lake, award presentations, a program emceed by Liz Matzke and Naomi Bernstein and a live auction that raised over $2,000 for AWA Scholarships.

Dave Black was named the 2015 Honored Guest. Dave is the general manager of WSUM, the student radio station on campus. He was one of the co-founders of the station and has worked for many years to help students learn more about radio broadcasting. Dave had the idea for an agriculture talk show, and reached out to AWA alum Kaitlyn Riley to be the host and soon Ag Chat was born. Since then, Dave has always been supportive of Ag Chat by sending possible topics to cover, making sure AWA gets a good time slot, and always asking how the show is going.

Melissa Cheeks received the 2014 Friend of AWA Award. The Friend of AWA is awarded to a person who has contributed significant time and resources to the AWA active chapter during the past year. Melissa got her bachelor’s degree and doctorate in veterinary medicine from Purdue University. Currently, she works as a regional representative for the Christian Veterinary Mission. In the fall, Melissa reached out to AWA to see if she could be helpful to the organization at all. She now serves as the student chapter’s advisor and has been a great asset with her friendly personality and willingness to help our organization.

Sharon Brantmeier was the recipient of the 2014 AWA Outstanding Alumni Award. This award is given to an alumnus who has demonstrated dedicated to AWA while excelling in her career. Sharon is the managing partner at Eventus Wealth Management, a private wealth advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial Services. This year, she not only funded, but also participated in a Diggin’ It at the AWA house to improve the basement and third floor. She also participated in the House Improvement Committee and was a panelist in the AWA Anything Goes Panel. Sharon is a strong role model for women in agriculture and always willing to share her knowledge and love of AWA.

Julie Larson received the 2014 Outstanding Women in Agriculture Award. This award goes to an outstanding woman in agriculture who has had significant influence on the agriculture industry. Julie is consistently recognized by her company, Merial, and coworkers and donates her time and energy to a number of local organizations. Julie has played an active role on the strategic planning committee and is always helping strengthen student and alumni events by planning and participating in them.

AWA awarded Taylor Holterman of Watertown, WI with the Outstanding Senior Award for 2015. Taylor started her success in AWA by being named the Outstanding Freshman her first year of college. Her sophomore year, she lived at AWA, became a big sister, and was the clothing coordinator. As a junior, she served as the Vice President for AWA and Out of House Representative. Her senior year she continued to stay active by helping run AWA social media accounts and as the Book Club Student Coordinator. In addition to excelling academically, she also serves as the President of Collegiate Farm Bureau and member of Badger Dairy Club. After graduation, she will move to Omaha, Nebraska to work as an Account Representative in the Market Development and Sales Center for Union Pacific Railroad.

This year Founders Award goes to Daphne Holterman. The Founders Award recognizes and outstanding individual who has had a significant influence on AWA. Daphne has been an AWA leader and supporter since she first became involved as freshman in 1977. She served as AWA President and was vocal in implementing new ideas in programming and infrastructure that are still in place today. Since graduating in 1981, she hasn’t missed a year of serving in an AWA leadership role. Currently, she serves on the AWA Vision 2015/2020 Strategic Planning Committee. Her enthusiasm for AWA has passed on to her two daughters, Lauren and Taylor, as well as other young AWA Women. Daphne currently farms with her husband Lloyd in Watertown, WI on their farm Rosy-Lane Holsteins.

AWA Alumni also awarded 18 scholarships totaling over $9,000 to active undergraduate members. Scholarship winners include Natalie Endres (Waunakee, WI), Jaime Sawle (Prairie du Sac, WI), Alyssa Gehring (Appleton, WI), Claire Scott (Gratiot, WI), Bethany Dado (Amery, WI), Sydney Endres (Lodi, WI), McKenzie Rowley (Loyal, WI), Kayla Krueger (Marion, WI), Megan Opperman (Rockford, Illinois), Elizabeth Sarbacker (Verona, WI), Jessica Dercks (Kaukana, WI), Erica Olson (Black River Falls, WI), Savannah Waller (Clinton, WI), Rachel Hartlaub (Cleveland, WI), Kate Griswold (Black Earth, WI), Erica Ballmer (Janesville, WI), and Emily Selner (Denmark, WI).

The AWA membership would like to thank attendees and all alumni for their continued dedication to the organization. Events and activities would not be possible without the dedicated alumni members. Congratulations to all award winners and see you next year!


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