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BTC students win big at WI PAS Conference Students in Blackhawk’s Agriculture programs competed earlier this month in the Wisconsin Professional Agriculture Students (PAS) Competitive Conference, bringing home multiple awards. Students from across the state participated in the conference, which was held in Wisconsin Dells from Feb. 9 to 11. The conference provides a platform for students to demonstrate their knowledge, skills and abilities in agricultural disciplines, preparing them for careers in the industry. All of Blackhawk’s students qualified to compete at the National PAS Conference in Wyoming in March. Six of them plan to attend. The National PAS Organization has more than 6,000 members from 57 chapters located in 18 states. PAS is available to students in Post-Secondary Agriculture, Agribusiness, and Natural Resource Programs in 550 technical colleges in all 50 states.
BTC Award Winners and National Qualifiers Employment Interviewing: • Agriculture Equipment and Machinery: 2nd Place – Ty Gaffney of Barneveld
• Agronomic Services: 3rd Place – Abe Clark of Beloit • Livestock and Dairy Services: 1st Place – Ale Bittner of Edgerton • Agribusiness Sales: 1st Place – Jada Kletzke of Janesville • Livestock and Dairy Production: 1st Place – Kaela George of Evansville • Agribusiness Administration: 1st Place – Monica Reif of Milton Career Planning: • Power, Structural, and Technical Systems: 3rd Place – Abe Clark of Beloit • Agribusiness Systems: 4th Place – Monica Reif of Milton
PHOTO COURTESY BLACKHAWK TECHNICAL COLLEGE Rock Valley Publishing Impromptu Speaking: From left: Jada Kletzke of Janesville, Ty Gaffney of Barneveld, Monica Reif of Milton, Abe Clark of Beloit, Kaela • 1st Place – Kaela George George of Evansville, Danny Austin of New Glarus, Ale Bittner of Edgerton, Jackson Boatman of Darlington, Levin of Evansville • 5th Place – Ale Bittner of Crawford of Beloit, Dustin Williams of BTC PAS Advisor. Team Events: Edgerton • Livestock Specialist: 1st Place – BTC Team 1 (Ty Agriculture Sales Gaffney, Kaela George, Ale Demonstration: • 2nd Place – Jada Kletzke Bittner) • Crops and Soils Specialof Janesville • 4th Place – Abe Clark of ist: 6th Place – BTC Team 1 with it, the crucial support it (Abe Clark, Levin Crawford Gov. Tony Evers announced approval. Beloit A long-time advocate for the provides to local governments, of Beloit, Monica Reif); 10th the Wisconsin State Building Place – BTC Team 2 (Danny Commission approved im- continued success of the Stew- state park friends groups, and Animal Health/Vet Tech: • 4th Place – Kaela George Austin of New Glarus, Jack- portant projects totaling ap- ardship Program, last week, as land trust and conservation orson Boatman of Darlington) proximately $103.4 million part of his 2025-27 Biennial ganizations across the state to of Evansville statewide, including autho- Budget Message, Gov. Evers preserve and protect Wisconrization of Knowles-Nelson announced that his 2025-27 Ex- sin’s vast and valuable natural Stewardship Program Property ecutive Budget will provide the resources. Additionally, included in the Development funds and ef- largest increased investment in forts to complete the Forensic state history for the Steward- below list of approved projects Science and Protective Medi- ship Program while reautho- is the Commission’s approval cine Facility for the Wisconsin rizing the program for the next to complete the Forensic SciDepartment of Justice (DOJ) decade. Under the governor’s ence and Protective Medicine to replace the outdated, over- proposal, the program would Facility that will serve as a new crowded, and deficient existing be reauthorized through 2036 state-of-the-art home for the at $100 million annually for a state of Wisconsin’s MilwauMilwaukee Crime Lab. kee Crime Lab, Milwaukee “Whether it’s working to total investment of $1 billion. In his 2021-23 Executive County 911 Dispatch, and the preserve and protect Wisconsin’s proud tradition of con- Budget, Gov. Evers proposed Milwaukee County Medical servation that has defined our reauthorizing the Stewardship Examiner’s Office. In addition, Campos, founder of the event. grown organically over the state for generations, upholding Program for another 10 years See EVERS, Page 3 “This event gives the shopper past 12 years and now stretch- our commitment to support through June 30, 2032, with an a reason to leave the house to es from the Mississippi River systems that address crime annual investment of $70 milshop small and support their lo- on the west to Lake Michigan and keep kids, families, and lion. Unfortunately, Republican Since 1941 cal businesses.” on the east, and goes north to communities safe, or investing lawmakers reduced the govThe idea came to Campos the Wausau and Green Bay in in the higher education institu- ernor’s proposal, and the proover a decade ago after talking Wisconsin and south to I-80 in tions that are key to the future gram was only reauthorized for economic growth and prosper- another four years. As a result, with a handful of shop owners Illinois. Roofing • Flat • Shingles in her town who had experi“We encourage the shops to ity of our state, all of the proj- the Stewardship Program must enced slow sales during the then create an in-store promotion – a ects approved by the Commis- be reauthorized in the 2025-27 608-754-3385 harsh winter. day unlike the other 363 days sion today get at the heart of state budget, or the program Janesville, WI “After spending several years of the year,” says Campos. As many of our key priorities as a will expire in 2026, and along producing large vintage mar- a result, shoppers will find fun state,” said Gov. Evers. “I am kets, I decided to marry my love promotions like “pop a balloon” glad that my fellow bipartisan 468424 of vintage decor with my back- or “spin the wheel” to deter- commissioners and I could find ground in tourism promotion, mine their discount, door prizes, common ground in approving event planning and marketing meet-the-maker, paint demos, these funds so these important to come up with a way to reach live music, food trucks and free projects can move forward in out and do something for local swag bags just for stopping in. communities across our state.” Included in the Commissmall business,” Campos said. Others create punch cards “The result is the Vintage Shop promotions to get people mov- sion’s list of approved projects — Serving all day— Hop.” ing around their region, or is the authorization of $500,000 Beer-battered walleye, bluegill, cod The event is only open to lo- hire live music and invite food in Knowles-Nelson StewardJumbo Shrimp, homemade potato pancakes. ship Program (Stewardship cally-owned, for-profit shops. trucks to park in their lots. Special “Early-Bird” price before 3 p.m. There are no big box stores, “The participating shop own- Program) Property Developfranchises or chain stores al- ers are very passionate about the ment funds authorized under s. lowed. Social media has played history of their antiques as well 20.866 (2) (ta), Wis. Stats. for a huge role in the rapid growth as their buildings. To compete the Friends group and nonprofit of the shopping extravaganza. with big box stores, small busi- conservation organizations lo“The event was destined to ness owners have to be creative cated across the state supported grow quickly,” Campos ex- in their marketing efforts and by the Wisconsin Department plained, “between the shop work extra hard to get noticed,” of Natural Resources (DNR). owners looking for a unique, Campos said. “I’m just happy I The Friends group and nonprofYOUR PERSONAL AUTOMOTIVE SPECIALIST low-cost way to promote not can help them out by using my it conservation organizations only their shop but their town experience to bring customers are authorized to receive up to Complete Auto Care too, and shoppers who are ex- to their doorstep with this fun $500,000 in matching funds M-F 8am-5pm cited to have a list of hundreds shopping event. To my knowl- each fiscal year for projects at 608-897-4889 of fun shops dropped in their edge, it’s the biggest event of its DNR properties. A total of 32 www.systechauto.com Friends group and nonproflap. The result? You can’t hold kind in the Midwest.” it conservation organizations them back!” See VINTAGE, Page 3 projects have been selected for W896 Ten Eyck Rd., Brodhead, WI The two-state event has
Gov. Evers announces approval of $103M in key projects in state
Vintage Shop Hop brings ‘shopping local’ to a new level
468426
ADAMS
206 E. Beloit St., Orfordville, WI • 608-879-2011
466263
Thousands of shoppers will converge on northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin once again for the spring edition of the popular Vintage Shop Hop on Friday and Saturday, March 7-8. The event is a self-guided road trip for vintage and antique lovers in the northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin region to satisfy their “vintage” addiction and support small business at the same time. Typically, between 350 to 400 locally-owned vintage shops, antique malls, women’s boutiques, occasional and popup shops, home decor stores, upscale consignment shops and vintage barn sales in the twostate region participate in this one-of-a-kind event. According to the 2024 American Express Shop Small Impact Study, 85% of consumers say they were likely to shop “small” that season. The study goes on to report consumers also say they “shop small” to make an impact locally, with 64% shopping small because they know a portion of their purchase directly impacts the community. The Vintage Shop Hop would like to see shoppers change their shopping habits year-round. The event is a twice-a-year road trip comprised of nothing but “small businesses.” What started with 180 shops 12 years ago, the Vintage Shop Hop has increased in popularity every year. “In the spring, shop owners sometimes need an economic shot in the arm to boost their sales in what is traditionally slow retail season, not to mention the competition of the online shopping craze,” says Ann