On Saturday, March 21st, the 2020 National PAS Delegation approved the slate of Officers presented by the 2020 National Officer Selection Committee. Despite having to postpone the 40th Annual National PAS Conference, on March 18th and 19th, 2020 the National Officer Selection Process took place via teleconference interviews. The committee consisted Gwynn Simeniuk, Tim Claus, William Nelson, Dakota Krumrey, and Elizabeth Golombiecki. National PAS would like to thank the selection committee, and all of the applicants for contributing their time and talent this year.
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President - Adam Liegel, WI
Adam grew up in Plain, Wisconsin on his family's small beef and dairy operation just west of Madison. While growing up with a very close family, they were able to teach him many lessons. Some of these lessons that he still carries with him now is patience for opportunities to grow, an understanding that not will happen how you want, so sometimes you need to change your plan to succeed. He attended Ithaca high school and graduated in 2016 with honors. His passion for agriculture has grown from the knowledge and support from his high school agriculture teacher. Without the presence of this teacher in his life, Adam feels as though he would not be where he is now. Adam now attends Northcentral Technical College in Wausau, Wisconsin, pursuing degrees in both Agri business and Crop and Soil Science. In his first year of college Adam was not involved with his local chapter, but by seeing the path for opportunities he decided to join. His professors and local PAS advisors have helped him grow towards this leadership position. During his free time Adam likes to restore old tractors to their prime, and his current project is restoring a 1912 McCormick Deering 10-20. He is also an avid fisherman and hunter, which is one way he relaxes. Adam also enjoys snowmobiling, ATV rides, and hanging out with his friends.
Secretary - Chole' Andresen, MO
Chloe' Andresen lives outside of Sedalia, Missouri. Her parents are Rick and Debra Andresen. She is seventeen years old. She graduated early this summer from her family's home school academy, The Andresen Academy in 2019. Before she was in her parents' home school academy, she went to Applewood Christian School. She participated in her school's Student Council as the head of the Social club for her freshman year. She later became the Secretary for her sophomore and junior year. During those three years of high school she was very involved in her school by heading up many committee's while helping her community. For the past nine years she has annually volunteered for the Sedalia Area Chamber of Commerce for many of her town's events such as the Christmas parade, the Piccadilly Gala, and the Biz, Sips & Bites. These events showcased her town and what they have to offer, She is now a freshman studying Agribusiness at State Fair Community College. At State Fair she is a member of the Agriculture Club, serving as the secretary of the Agriculture Club's executive committee and she is the Missouri State PAS Reporter. At Missouri's State PAS she placed Ist in place in Crop Production and 3rd place in Career Planning-Plant Systems. She desires to become increasingly involved in State Fair's Agriculture Club. Chloe' is obtaining her Associate Degree at State Fair Community College with an anticipated graduation date of May 2021. Chloe' hopes to one day be working at an Agribusiness where she can travel and advocate for agriculture across the United States. She has chosen to major in Agribusiness because she is driven with the hope to help farmers reach potential in sales, and crop production.
1st Vice-President - Mackenzie Craig, MN
Mackenzie Craig is from Alexandria, MN and will be graduating from Ridgewater College with my Dairy Management degree. She plan's on transferring to another college to study veterinary medicine in hopes in becoming a large animal vet. Mackenzie grew up on her family’s dairy and crop farm. In 2015, her family sold our dairy cows, and transitioned into a beef cow-calf operation while still raising 500 acres of crops (wheat, soybeans, corn, and alfalfa). After selling their dairy cows, she still manages to be fully active in the dairy community. Mackenzie works for multiple dairy farms and serves as a dairy princess in her county. With her joy towards raising livestock, she decided to purchase and raise some of her own. She also has her own dairy goats, rabbits, pigs, steers, and chickens. Besides working and farming, Mackenzie enjoys going on adventures, going on long walks in the summer, hunting, fishing, and trying new foods. Mackenzie says that "I have always had a passion for agriculture. Growing up, I was very active in my local 4-H and FFA chapter. Each had a special place in my heart. When I came to college and learned that PAS was exactly the same as FFA and 4-H, I knew it was something for me. In my couple years of service in PAS, I have learned and have motivated that PAS is a place where students feel welcomed and valued. In my next year of service, I hope to demonstrate to students that serving isn't a definition, but it’s a direction. A direction towards making a positive difference in our agriculture communities and making them feel welcomed and valued like PAS has done for me."
Vice-President - Joelle Edwards, MN
Joelle is the daughter of Steve and Mary Ann Edwards of Kimball, Minnesota. Joelle is a 2018 graduate of Ridgewater College in Willmar, Minnesota with an Associate Degree in Veterinary Technology. After college Joelle moved from her hometown to Brookings, South Dakota chasing opportunities. She is currently a Registered Veterinary Technician at Heartland Veterinary Clinic in Brookings, South Dakota fulfilling her passion of veterinary dental care, surgery, trauma, and client education. It's not uncommon for Joelle to be excited about a dog with a laceration, foreign object stuck in the stomach/intestines, or a tartar filled teeth coming into the clinic. Then on the flip side discussing care, prevention, and veterinary medicine with the client about their beloved pet. She has truly found her calling in the veterinary field. Joelle has a passion for animals and medical care from growing up on a hobby farm raising and caring for steers, hogs, chickens, cats, dogs, and horses. In addition to the hobby farm, Joelle grew up being around her parent's restaurant, Mom's Place, located in South Haven, Minnesota. She grew a sense of the meaning community, hard work, and integrity from years of working at the restaurant. The family celebrated 30 years of serving the community in March of 2019. She was an active member in Girl Scouts and FFA through high school. Joelle has a beloved mutt named Cinder and a Quarter Horse registered as Valued Persuasion, but will always be Maggie is her heart; she loves spending time with both. She enjoys swapping stories, fishing, working on vehicles with her family, and spending time around animals. Joelle loves being apart of PAS because of the career preparation provided, personal growth in herself, and the many connections formed with members and career professionals.
Vice-President - Gracie Larson, WI
Gracie Larson is a Second year student at Western Wisconsin Technical College in La Crosse WI, She is Studying Agribusiness and Science Technology with an emphasis in Animal Science. She grew up in West Salem, WI on a small beef farm for a majority of her life. This is where her love of livestock began to build. In high school she found many interests in livestock but there were very limited livestock programs available. So she became involved in FFA where she was offered a chance to job shadow someone in the agriculture industry, after that she knew that Agriculture was the job area she wanted to pursue. On a personal note, Gracie has four siblings which taught her patience and resilience. Being raised on the farm She thoroughly enjoys the outdoors and any opportunity she has to be on the water, specifically water skiing. Also If she can find a new trail through the bluffs in La Crosse hiking a new forest she will definitely be there. She also enjoys being able to volunteer at her local church with high school students. Gracie is very excited to serve you as a National officer and can not wait for the upcoming year!
Vice-President - Jodie Weyland, WI
Jodie Weyland is a farmers’ daughter who has found a passion for watching the livestock graze the pastures and the crop dance in the wind. In May 2020 she will be graduating from Fox Valley Technical College, WI where she is majoring in Agribusiness/Agronomy and Science Technology with a minor in Dairy Production and Agricultural Entrepreneurship. After graduation, she plans to pursue a full-time career as an Agronomist, while still assisting on her family farm. Jodie was born in Neenah, Wisconsin, where she was raised on a 100-cow Certified Organic dairy farm. Her work experiences on the family farm have led Ms. Weyland to be recognized as the 2016 Wisconsin FFA Proficiency award winner in the area of Organic Agriculture, as well as a 2019 Top 5 Finalist in the award area of Dairy Production Placement. After admiring her older sister, who’s also her biggest role model, Jodie found her personal niche in agricultural advocacy and prepared speaking. Outside of the family farm, Jodie finds interest in playing the trumpet and photography. She’s been playing the trumpet for approximately 10 years, and now enjoys playing in a community symphony ensemble. In her favorite season, Winter, Jodie also finds joy in showing her family’s antique snowmobile collection and trail riding. After being involved in her local FFA chapter for seven years, Ms. Weyland recently received the American FFA Degree. Her favorite quote is “A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way.” -John Maxwell
Vice-President - Calvin Basham, MO
Calvin Basham is the son of Rob and Amy Basham from Cowgill, MO, where they live on a small cattle farm in Ray County Missouri. Calvin spends his summers actively involved in hay production and involved in growing the cattle herd while taking jobs as a farmhand. He graduated high school in May of 2019 and was one of the top ten percent in his class. Throughout high school, Calvin was part of 4-H, FFA, and Student Senate. Calvin also always tried to stay active in his small church. Calvin is currently attend college at North Central Missouri College in Trenton, MO and is pursuing an Associate's in Arts Transfer Degree along with a Crop Science Certificate. After completing his Associate's Degree, he plans on transferring to Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville. There, he would like to get a Bachelor's Degree in Agronomy and Crop Science. Calvin says, "after this I plan on becoming a soil technician for the Natural Resource Conservation Service. I would like to go into this career because it has always been a goal of mine to work with soil and plants. I have always been interested in how to make soil healthier and how to see better yields out of crops. I enjoy nature and working to preserve it along with improving our family farm and helping it grow. My end goal is to build a home that I can pass on to the next generation."