The 2022 Wildlife Production and Management Proficiency winner is Brandon Schott of the Sauk Prairie FFA. The Wildlife Production and Management Proficiency is sponsored by Kenneth & Joyce Natzke, Richard & Sue Schultz, and Terry C. Peterson.

With the purchase of five acres of woods and 17 acres of cropland, Brandon kept busy cutting dead trees and pushing back the tree line on the bottom sides of the fields. One of Brandon’s largest and latest projects within his SAE has been digging a pond by his neighbor, increasing habitat resources, and improving the ecosystem in his area. Brandon has also worked with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources to conduct five controlled burns which helps provide new growth to the habitat.

Brandon’s advisors are Troy Talford and Sally Ladsten.

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

Second: Hunter Walz, Wisconsin Heights

Third: Sonny Boardman, De Soto

Fourth: Austin Cramer, Dodgeland

Fifth: Sarah Hougard, Union Grove

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