2021 Distinguished Junior Members

Distinguished Junior Members

Elise Bleck

Elise Bleck is the 20-year-old daughter of Jeff and Lea Ann Bleck, from Glenbeulah, where she resides on a small farm, Bleckview Holsteins and Brown Swiss. Elise is a sophomore at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and majoring in dairy science with hopes to go to medical school to become a pediatrician. On campus, she is involved in Badger Dairy Club, National Agriculture Marketing Association, and the Association of Women in Agriculture. Elise also enjoys participating in many Junior Holstein activities such as exhibiting at junior shows, dairy judging, and dairy quiz bowl.

Ashley Brandel

Ashley Brandel is the 15-year-old daughter of Matthew and Tracy Brandel. Ashley has a younger sister, Katie, and two brothers, Colton and Justin. Her family partners in Straussdale Holsteins LLC, where they milk 175 Registered Holsteins in Lake Mills. Ashley is very active on her family dairy farm and is a sophomore at Lake Mills High School where she is active in basketball and soccer. She is member of the Jefferson County Junior Holstein Association, South Side Eagles 4-H Club, and Lake Mills FFA where Ashley participates in various showing, judging, quiz bowl, and dairy promotion events.

Matthew Gunst

Matthew Gunst is the 19-year-old son of Dennis and Nikki Gunst. Matthew and his sister Elizabeth own and operate Ladinodale Holsteins and Jerseys in Hartford. They are the sixth generation to live on their family’s farm helping in all aspects of cropping 300 acres and custom raising heifers. Matthew is a sophomore at the University of Minnesota majoring in Animal Science and Agricultural Communication and Marketing. He is involved in Delta Theta Sigma Fraternity, Gopher Dairy Club, National Agrimarketing Association, Agriculture Business Club, and dairy judging. Matthew shows at local, state and national shows, and enjoys working with the show heifers and on the farm.

Hannah Hockerman

Hannah Hockerman is the 19-year-old daughter of Greg and Dawn Hockerman. Hannah lives in Westfield on her family’s 700-cow dairy. She has two brothers, Hayden and Holden. Hannah is a member of the District 5 Junior Holstein group, and is serving her second year as a Wisconsin Holstein Association JAC. Hannah currently attend Rock Valley College as a student athlete playing softball and studying Agricultural Education. In the future, Hannah plans on becoming an agricultural teacher.

Kaianne Hodorff

Kaianne Hodorff is the 20-year-old daughter of Corey and Tammy Hodorff. She and her sisters are the fifth generation on their century family farm, Second Look Holsteins LLC. Kaianne works full-time managing the maternity department at the farm. She serves as president of the Fond du Lac County Junior Holstein Association and has served as president of the Armstrong 4-H club and co-chair of the Fond du Lac County dairy committee. Kaianne enjoys volunteering as assistant coach for the Campbellsport varsity girls soccer team, participating in dairy bowl and dairy judging, and exhibiting dairy cattle.

Brian “Mac” McCullough

Brian “Mac” McCullough is the 19-year-old son of Chris and Kathie McCullough. He lives on the family’s type-focused dairy farm, Rock-N-Hill-II. He is also employed at A1 Electric, where they specialize in various agricultural applications. Through guidance from other talented industry leaders, Mac has become an experienced fitter and enjoys working at shows. His dream is to own an elite show heifer raising facility and develop top tier show prospects from his own herd and his parents’ herd. When not occupied with Holstein responsibilities, he enjoys following Packer football, bow hunting, fishing, wrestling and 80s music.