2009 Press Release
January 5, 2009
Press Release
From: Wisconsin Commercial Deer and Elk Farmers Association
For Release: Monday January 5, 2009
For additional information please contact: Gary R. Goyke, 608-237-8108, gnregoyke@mailbag.com
Wisconsin Elk and Deer Farmers Announce 2009 Annual Meeting and Awards Richard Spanton, of Beloit, President of the Wisconsin Commercial Deer and Elk Farmers Association, today announced the final plans for the 17th Annual Meeting of the organization. The meeting and conference will be held at the Ramada Hotel in Stevens Point, Wisconsin on Friday evening, February 6, 2009 and all day Saturday, February 7, 2009. Whitetails of Wisconsin will join the group for the educational and social portions of the Saturday agenda. This is the first time the two largest Wisconsin cervid farm organizations have coordinated their meeting schedules. "We now have an excellent opportunity to learn from each others' experiences," Spanton said. Our planned agenda focuses on marketing, innovative food production, good pasture management, legislative advocacy and an important presentation by the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture Trade and Consumer Protection on animal health diseases." "Providing our attendees with good information specifically designed to offer solutions to current problems is really our goal," said Bill Knutson, current Vice President of the Association and a Holmen area elk farmer. "In addition to the seminar, we will honor the following individuals:
• Dr. Sarah Shapiro Hurley, WDNR Veterinarian and Wildlife Manager: Outstanding Public Service
• State Representative Amy Sue Vruwink, of Milladore: 2009 Legislator of the Year
• Mr. Jeff Fritz of Osseo: Friend of the Industry Award
• Tomah Journal and Tomah Monitor Herald: 2009 Outstanding Media Award
"We plan to thank these individuals and organizations for their numerous contributions to the quality of life we all enjoy in Wisconsin," Knutson stated. The conference will conclude with a live auction and dinner. For further information on the meeting please contact: Ms. Cheryl Nicholson, WCDEFA, W9833 Hogan Road, Portage Wisconsin. 53901-9279. wcdefa@solarus.net -30- The Wisconsin Commercial Deer and Elk Farmers Association is a professional trade association representing farmers who raise elk, whitetail deer, sika deer, fallow deer, red deer or reindeer. Whitetails of Wisconsin is a similar group representing whitetail deer farmers. Together, they provide organization and advocacy for the more than 650 elk and deer farmers in Wisconsin.