For Immediate Release April 16, 2021
The National Professional Agricultural Student (PAS) Organization’s 2021 National Conference, themed “Breaking new ground, empowering emerging leaders”, was held virtually on March 15-19. The conference kicked off Monday evening with an opening session, followed by a week of individual and team competitions. The event ended on Friday with a College Bowl, Awards Ceremony and the election of a new slate of National Officers from student members of the organization. Students were able to join the “Virtual Corner of PAS” to watch workshops and presentations throughout the week of the conference via the website. Congratulations to all those who competed and placed at the National Professional Agricultural Student Organization’s 2021 National Conference.
During the conference, the 2020-21 National Officer team awarded two advisors with the Outstanding Advisor Award for 2020-21. They are Chuck Holloway, Sheridan College, Wyoming; and Jayln Parker, Muscatine Community College, Iowa. Congratulations to both for going above and beyond for their students.
Additionally, the Board of Directors announced two retiring board members, Chuck Holloway, Sheridan College, Wyoming and Beth Husman, Ridgewater College, Minnesota. The Board thanks them for their dedicated service. The Board of Directors also elected four new board members and would like to welcome the following: Kevin Butt, Ellsworth Community College, Iowa; Charl Van Der Nest, Northcentral Technical College, Wisconsin; and Joelle Edwards, Buckingham Equine Veterinary Clinic, Minnesota; and Karolin Lex, Ameriprise Financial Services, Minnesota.
Here are your 2021-22 National Professional Agricultural Student Organization National Officers!
President: 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 graduated from Fox Valley Technical College, WI where she majored in Agribusiness/Agronomy with an emphasis in Dairy Production and Agricultural Entrepreneurship. While pursuing her degree, she found interest in PAS and served as Wisconsin President and 2020 -21 National Vice-President. Ms. Weyland 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 small, family farm.
Secretary: Abigail Armstrong is currently a senior at the State University of New York at Cobleskill. In May, she will be graduating with a Bachelor of Technology in Food Systems with a minor in Agricultural Education. Abigail is from Granville, New York, and has been involved in the agricultural industry since a young age. After graduation, she is planning to begin her Master of Business Administration with a specialization in Food and Agribusiness. She inspires to find a career with a non-profit organization that will allow her to specialize in food security.
Vice President: Bryce Thompson is from Buffalo, Minnesota, and did not grow up in agriculture. His passion and love for agriculture came when he was in FFA in high school. He is currently majoring in Agriculture Business and GPS/GIS Technology. Last year he served as the Minnesota State PAS Vice President, and Bryce currently serves as Ridgewater College PAS Vice President. After graduation, Bryce will be working with Get Er’ Done Customs LLC (GED) in Buffalo, Mn. At GED he plans to continue his role as the operations manager. GED does hauling, snow plowing, mobile pressure washing, and will soon be adding some new equipment to the fleet for other types of work.
Vice President: Emily Powell is from Norwalk, Wisconsin. She is currently attending Rigewater College for a degree in Agribusiness with a Dairy and Livestock emphasis. Emily will graduate in May 2021. She grew up on a dairy and beef farm; however, after her family sold their dairy cows she worked at a neighboring farm and showed dairy to stay active in the industry. Always having a passion for agriculture and being active in 4H and FFA, she naturally fell in love with PAS. She has previously served as Minnesota PAS President and Ridgewater PAS Secretary, and Emily currently serves as the Ridgewater PAS President.
Vice President: Jenna Steffen is currently a junior at Iowa State University where she is majoring in Agricultural Education; Teacher Certification. After high school, she attended DMACC on the Mark Pearson Scholarship and majored in Agribusiness with certificates in Animal Science and Agronomy. Jenna was involved in PAS at DMACC and was elected Secretary for Iowa PAS in 2020-21. She currently serves as the Iowa PAS President. Jenna and her family live on an acreage just outside of Waverly, IA, where they raise beef cattle, sheep, goats, rabbits, poultry, and a few farm dogs and cats.
Vice President: Jett Shepro graduated from Northcentral Technical College in Wisconsin with an associate degree in Agribusiness and a technical degree in Agriculture Equipment Technician. He became involved in PAS in 2017-18, where he competed at the national conference. Jett currently serves as Wisconsin PAS Vice President. Outside of PAS, Jett is a mechanic at Baumann Ginseng and a farmhand/mechanic at Granite Hill Dairy in Wisconsin.
Vice President: Justin Hendricksen currently attends South Central College in North Mankato for Agriculture Business. He anticipates graduation with a degree in Agribusiness Production and an Agronomy Certificate in May 2021. His passion for agriculture developed while he grew up on his family farm. Through his experiences in FFA, his passion developed even further as he started running his own farming operation. He has continued his agriculture leadership experiences while serving as the current Minnesota PAS President.
National PAS is a non-profit, student-led organization offering a national collegiate-level competition-style learning model that gives students the practical and hands-on development opportunities essential for career success. Students compete at the local, state, and national levels and are guided by faculty advisors to develop the technical, professional and soft skills required for career success within the agriculture industry. Learn more at www.nationalpas.org.