The 2023 Wildlife Production and Management Proficiency winner is Sonny Boardman of the De Soto FFA. This proficiency is sponsored by Kenneth & Joyce Natzke and Richard & Sue Schultz.

Sonny’s family has been commercially fishing on the Mississippi River for four generations. Through his SAE, Sonny has become one of the primary workers for his family’s business and has gained experience in all aspects of commercial fishing. Sonny’s responsibilities include running the chain saw to cut holes, pulling the net into the landing, driving the four-wheelers, providing maintenance to nets and equipment, checking ice for safety, and using sonar to find a place to drop the net. With his assistance, Sonny’s family is able to catch between 80,000 and 250,000 pounds of marketable fish each year to sell in the New York Fish Market.

Sonny’s advisor is Hillary Bark.

We would like to recognize the state finalists in Wildlife Production and Management:

Second: Madeline Lee, Poynette

Third: Thea Harpold, Sauk Prairie

Fourth: Natalie Moran, Wausau

Boardman will find out this summer if he is selected as one of four national finalists. If selected, Sonny will compete at the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, Ind., in November.