Eleven UW-River Falls students recently participated in the national meeting of the Students of Agronomy, Soils and Environmental Sciences meeting in San Antonio, Texas, where they won two first-place awards and a third-place award. From left are Yoana Newman, professor of crop science and team adviser, students Jordan Hellenbrand, Suzanne Myers, Jenna Dedina, Heather Hatfull, August Roach, Megan Culpitt, Hannah Schull, Elayna Stirn, Evan Zachow, and Brandt Berghuis, assistant professor of crop science and team adviser. Not pictured are students Austyn Steinhaus and Austin Meade. Contributed photo 
 

Students receive two first-place awards at national agriculture competition 

Participants credit their strong performance to dedicated faculty members  

Nov. 25, 2024 - Students at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls displayed their acumen for agriculture at a recent national competition, placing first in two categories and topping their competitors from across the nation.  
  
Eleven UWRF students participated in the national meeting of Students of Agronomy, Soils, and Environmental Sciences (SASES) Nov. 10-12 in San Antonio, Texas. They took part in multiple competitions, placing first among 26 teams in the Quiz Bowl, and received first- and third-place awards in the poster contest.  
  
The Quiz Bowl queries student teams about a variety of agriculture and environmental topics. UWRF Quiz Bowl team members are Heather Hatfull, a junior from Lakeville, Minn., majoring in crop and soil science; Hannah Schull, a junior from Medford majoring crop and soil science; Megan Culpitt, a senior from Norwalk majoring in crop and soil science; and August Roach, a senior from Faribault, Minn., majoring in agricultural business.  
  
UWRF student Elayna Stirn, a senior from Fitchburg majoring in horticulture, placed first in the poster contest, in the crop disease, pest and weed control category. Her classmate Austin Meade, a junior from Hudson majoring in crop and soil science, placed third in that category. Nine UWRF students made poster presentations and two represented the Crops and Soils Club with an oral presentation.  
  
“This outcome is a testament to the preparation that our students are getting in the Plant and Earth Science Department,” said Yoana Newman, professor of crop science who, along with Brandt Berghuis, assistant professor of crop science, advised UWRF students participating in SASES. 
  
Other students participating in SASES include Evan Zachow, a senior biology major from Eau Claire; Jenna Dedina, a senior from McHenry, Ill., majoring in horticulture; Suzanne Myers, a non-degree seeking student from St. Paul, Minn.; Austyn Steinhaus, a junior from Cokato, Minn., majoring in crop and soil science; and Jordan Hellenbrand, a senior from Sun Prairie majoring in crop and soil science.    
  
Students said they enjoyed the opportunity to showcase their skills. Their high placement in competitions is evidence of the quality instruction they receive at UWRF, they said, noting that their professors are dedicated to ensuring their success.  
  
As the Quiz Bowl competition progressed and the UWRF team excelled, Stirn and her colleagues watching the event discussed answers to the questions posed during the competition. 
  
“We would’ve crushed it no matter which of us were on the team,” Stirn said. “Every question that was asked, at least two or three of us knew the answer. We really have our amazing professors here in the Plant and Earth Science Department to thank for that.” 
  
Stirn’s poster presentation detailed how photosynthetic efficiency of peas is impacted when peas are inoculated by the fungal pathogen pea rust. She has researched the topic for the past two years, seeking ways to improve the efficiency of growing peas. She used a series of photos to connect those hearing her poster presentation to her work.  
  
“For me, the most important part of science is communication,” she said. “I wanted my poster to be as simple and clear as possible with more pictures than words. The poster is used as a visual to support what your audience wants to hear from you.” 
  
Students attending SASES took part in academic competitions, participated in learning sessions and met prospective employers and graduate program representatives. They also toured the surrounding area, visiting such sites as a pecan farm, San Antonio Botanical Garden, San Antonio’s Historic Market Square, and the city’s celebrated River Walk. 
  
“They were all very professional in their demeanor, and that attracted the attention of many visitors to each of their posters and recruiters for graduate school of big-name universities,” Newman said of UWRF students. “They really made the most of their opportunity.”