May Newsletter 2026

Officer Bios 

Emily Johnson 

Emily Johnson is an Agribusiness student at Brigham Young University-Idaho and from Kimberly, Idaho. Although she spent much of her childhood in Stanwood, Washington, agriculture has always been central to her life. Her family has raised registered Simmental and Angus cattle for more than twelve years, and her home was shaped by the traditions of FFA, 4-H and the cattle industry. With parents who were active in both FFA and PAS, Emily grew up with a deep appreciation for agricultural education and the communities built around it.

Emily has a strong work ethic, and is seen for clear communication and commitment to continually improving. She joined PAS in 2026, inspired by the stories she heard through her adolescence about the organization's impact on her family and friends who were committed members. Even in her short time as a member, she quickly recognized the value PAS brings to students through leadership development, career preparation, and hands-on learning. Her involvement has already strengthened her confidence, broadened her professional skills, and deepened her passion for serving others in the agricultural industry.

Beyond her academic pursuits, Emily has gained practice! experience through her work in agricultural operations, where she has developed skills in communication, organization, and problem-solving. She is passionate about supporting fellow students, building community, and helping others discover their strengths. Emly looks forward to the opportunity to serve PAS at the national level and contribute to an organization that has already made a meaningful difference in her life.

Aubrey Arneson 

Aubrey Arneson currently resides in Mosinee, Wisconsin, with her mom and grandma. She recently graduated from Northcentral Technical College with degrees in Ag Business and Agronomy. Following graduation, she will be working at an insurance company close to home, where she will be obtaining her licenses in crop insurance as well as property and casualty insurance. She started her life in agriculture in high school when she decided to join FFA, where she met lots of people who had the same interests as she did. Her advisor helped get her a job milking cows where her interest in dairy first started. She also went on to raise and show pigs with 4-H for four years at the Wisconsin Valley Fair, all these experiences sparked her passion for agriculture. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time outdoors and making the most of Wisconsin life. She loves going on hikes and walks with her Golden Retriever, Chevy, and enjoys hunting, fishing, fires, kayaking, and UTV riding whenever she gets the chance. She is big on relationships and loves spending time with family, friends, and her boyfriend. Recently, she has discovered a passion for baking, she especially loves sharing her baked goods with family, friends, and community. Over the past four years, she has served in several leadership positions in PAS, beginning as her chapter’s L.E.A.D. Representative before serving two years as chapter president. She later represented Wisconsin as the Wisconsin State PAS First Vice President and now proudly serves as the National Vice President of Conference Planning. Through PAS, she has discovered a passion for meeting people from across the country, learning from new experiences, and continuously developing her leadership and communication skills. She strongly believes that success comes from hard work, determination, and having passion for what you do. She strives to lead by example and to encourage others to pursue their goals with confidence and purpose.

 Jesse Ricks 

Jesse grew up in the rural community of Rigby, Idaho. He is part of the third generation of his family to live on and work on the family farm. Growing up on this small farm, with four brothers and parents that gave him opportunities, fostered a love and respect for agriculture. In 4-H he was able to raise, train, and show goats, which taught him the importance of hard work and consistency. In FFA, he had the opportunity to compete in the sales competitions which helped him understand the importance of focusing on the individual needs and concerns of agricultural producers. These initial experiences with agricultural organizations showed him the ability that agriculture has to bring others together to teach and support one another. Since returning from serving and LDS mission he is currently attending BYU-I studying Agribusiness with clusters in Accounting and Agronomy. While at BYUI, he has been involved in PAS as the Idaho chapter’s treasurer and current vice president. Studying agribusiness at BYU has exposed him to the broad range of opportunities that agriculture offers. He has been able to gain more experience through internships at a tax firm, and current jobs at a dairy in Rigby along with serving as a canal director, for two canals. These experiences have furthered his desire to contribute to the future of agriculture. He is excited to contribute to National PAS and help to educate others on the opportunities that can be captured by participating.

Erin Kinney 

Erin Kinney is a student at Southwestern Community College studying Ag Business, with plans to transfer to Iowa State University. Originally from Winterset, IA, she grew up surrounded by farmland, motorsports, and the motivation to succeed. Her passion for the agricultural industry runs deep. Although she didn't grow up in a livestock-oriented home, she has worked very hard to surround herself with talented people to learn and grow as a person. She thrives in the fast-paced environment and all the chaos that comes with the show industry, having genuine love for every minute spent in it. Spending most of her time in the sheep and goat barns through 4-H and FFA, she has developed a strong passion for agriculture, leadership, and helping younger students succeed. Erin has been deeply involved in FFA, Ag Club, and PAS, contributing over 200 volunteer hours to her community. Erin has strong communication skills, loves graphic design work, and has the ability to collaborate and adapt with all types of people. Erin enjoys using her creativity to bring ideas to life, motivate individuals, and use art as a form of self-expression. In addition to her academic and leadership roles, Erin owns and operates Pivot Design, a small business specializing in branding, logo design, custom apparel, and photography services for her local community. She looks forward to continuing to build her leadership skills and hopes to make a meaningful impact on the agricultural industry by serving as a 2026–2027 PAS National Officer!

Brindelyn Eternicka

Brindelyn currently resides in Merrill and is finishing degrees in Dairy Science and Agribusiness at Northcentral Technical College in Wausau. Growing up surrounded by agriculture and the outdoors, she developed a strong appreciation for the industry through hunting, fishing, and spending time outdoors with family and friends. Those experiences helped shape her passion for agriculture and inspired her commitment to advocating for the future of the industry.

During high school, Brindelyn was heavily involved in extracurricular activities that strengthened her leadership abilities and work ethic. She participated in FFA, trap shooting, wrestling, and track and field, where she learned the importance of dedication, teamwork, and perseverance. Through these organizations and activities, she gained valuable experiences that encouraged her to become an active leader within her community and agricultural education programs.

Today, Brindelyn continues to stay closely connected to agriculture through her work on a nearby dairy farm and at a local tool and equipment rental business. She enjoys working with people, learning new skills, and supporting industries that are essential to rural communities. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, spending time with friends and family, and hunting with hound dogs. Brindelyn is passionate about serving others, promoting agricultural education, and representing students across the country as a positive voice for the agricultural industry and the future of Professional Agricultural Students

Dalanie Auffert

Dalanie grew up on her family farm in Parnell, Missouri, where her passion for agriculture was shaped from a young age. She was heavily involved in showing a variety of livestock species, including sheep, cattle, pigs, and rabbits, through FFA and 4-H. During high school, she participated in numerous activities, including National Honor Society, Student Council, SkillsUSA, basketball, and track. Outside of school, Dalanie is a member of the American Legion Auxiliary and volunteers with Missouri Girls State. She graduated from Southwestern Community College with degrees in Agribusiness and Livestock Production and is now working on her family’s cow-calf operation. In her free time, Dalanie enjoys spending quality time with family and friends.

Erin Collins

Erin Collins, of Union, Iowa, was raised on her family’s Heritage row-crop and cow-calf operation, where she developed a strong work ethic and a lifelong passion for agriculture. Growing up actively involved in daily farm responsibilities, she gained valuable experience caring for livestock, operating equipment, and understanding the importance of stewardship within the agricultural industry.

Erin is a recent graduate of Ellsworth Community College, where she earned an Ag Transfer Degree. During her time at Ellsworth, she was actively involved in Student Senate, Conservation Club, Ag Club, and served as the 2025-2026 Iowa PAS Secretary. These leadership experiences strengthened her communication skills, broadened her perspective on the agriculture industry, and reinforced her passion for advocacy and education.

This fall, Erin will attend Iowa State University to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Education. She plans to become a high school agriculture educator, with the goal of inspiring future generations to better understand and appreciate the agricultural industry and its impact on everyday life. Erin is passionate about agricultural advocacy and believes education plays a critical role in connecting producers and consumers.

In addition to her academic and agricultural involvement, Erin enjoys quilting, baking, showing her horse Mac, and remaining actively involved in the day-to-day operations of her family’s farm. Her dedication to leadership, education, and the agriculture industry continues to guide her personal and professional goals.

Summary of Officer Training

Our National PAS Officer Team wrapped up in an incredible three days of learning, planning, and leadership development!

Day 1: Officers dove into the inner workings of the National PAS Organization—financials, procedures, and how our board operates.

Day 2: Mary Kay Delvo came and gave National officers a deep dive into what makes board governance truly effective. The biggest lesson? Governance is like tending a garden—you can’t just plant it and walk away! Board Vice Chair, William Nelson, visited with the officers and shared advice on how to best serve within the organization. The team also took the Clifton Top 5 Strength test to know how to best utilize individuals’ strengths.

Day 3: We closed out with 2027 National Conference Planning before heading back to our home states energized and ready to serve.

The future of PAS is looking bright!

“What's Happening in Ag”

The latest USDA ERS dairy data shows steady national milk production, even as the industry continues its long‑term shift toward fewer but larger and more efficient operations. Monthly ERS indicators highlight trends in commercial disappearance, domestic supply and utilization, and per‑capita dairy consumption, offering a clear view of evolving market demand. The Livestock, Dairy & Poultry Outlook provides updated projections tied to WASDE movements, while ERS notes growing adoption of precision dairy technologies that strengthen herd management and profitability. With datasets refreshed in mid‑May, producers have timely insights into production patterns, state‑level changes, and cost‑of‑production pressures shaping today’s dairy landscape.

May-2026 PAS Newsletter.pdf

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