Bio: Raatz, Ella – Wisconsin Holstein Association Award (Feb 2023)

Transcriber: Stan

Surnames: Raatz

----Source: Tribune/Phonograph (Abbotsford, Clark Co., Wis.) 22 Feb 2023

The Wisconsin Holstein Association held its annual Junior Holstein convention in collaboration with the Manitowoc/Calumet Junior Holstein Association at the Holiday Inn in Manitowoc, January 6-8.

Youth from across the state were recognized for their outstanding achievements in multiple categories. The top award recipients for those excelling with their Junior Holstein projects were the Distinguished Junior Members (ages 17-21), Young Distinguished Junior Members (ages 13-16) and 12 and Under Recognition award winners (ages 12 and younger). They were recognized on the Saturday evening of the convention.

Recognized as a YDJM this year is Ella Raatz. Ella is the daughter of Al and Teri Raatz, Colby. She is a sophomore at Colby High School. Although she doesn’t live on a farm, she has partnered with local farmers to show some of their Registered Holsteins and to house her growing herd.

She currently owns three Holsteins and one Jersey. She is very active in 4-H, FFA and the Junior Holstein Association. Her participation in Junior Holsteins includes competing on the county junior quiz bowl team, participating in fitting and showing clinics, and the state dairy judging and showmanship contests.

The Wisconsin Holstein Association is a nonprofit organization that strives to increase knowledge and provide opportunities to youth by involvement through the Registered Holstein project.

Raatz said the award is an honor and it wouldn’t be possible without the help of Heeg Farms.

To earn the award, Raatz had to fill out a five or so question application. The questions were dairy-centric and asked applicants, if they could add anything to their dairy farm, what would it be? The nomination for the award shows that Raatz has displayed good leadership in the dairy industry including in the county and state Junior Holstein associations. Raatz said she tries to help other Junior Holstein members whenever possible and she thought that might be another reason she was given the award. Raatz won the same award last year and was also named an award winner for 12 and under applicants in both 2019 and 2020.

“It’s definitely an honor because there’s a lot of kids in Junior Holsteins and it’s state-wide, so me being one of the top applicants means a lot to me,” Raatz said.

Raatz said because they live in town, there are lots of people to thank for her ability to own, show and be around livestock.

“I’d like to thank my parents and all my mentors that I have had throughout my whole life and Heeg Brothers Dairy who currently house all my animals,” Raatz said. “Without them, I would not be where I am today.”

When she gets older, Raatz said she plans to go to UW-River Falls for something involving agriculture and dairy cattle. She has high aspirations for herself in the dairy industry as she mentioned wanting to potentially become a dairy nutritionist or work in dairy genetics in the future.

She also wants to own her own herd of dairy show cattle and keep the tradition of showing cattle going within her family.