News

Ellsworth Community College (ECC) students showcased their exceptional skills and knowledge at the 2025 Iowa Professional Ag Services (PAS) Conference held in Ankeny, Iowa, last week. Twenty-eight students and five faculty members from ECC’s Agriculture, Equine, and Conservation Technology programs participated in a variety of events, earning numerous accolades and securing spots at the National PAS Conference next month in Sheridan, Wyoming.

ECC students demonstrated their expertise across a wide range of agricultural disciplines, achieving top placements in individual and team competitions. Highlights include:

• Agricultural Education: Justin Schulz – 1st Place (Advances to Nationals)
• Agricultural Sales: Tate Tentinger – 2nd Place (Advances to Nationals), Erin Hassebrock – 3rd Place (Advances to Nationals)
• Career Progress, Power, Structural and Technical System: Nora Ryan – 1st Place (Advances to Nationals)
• Employment Interview – Ag Machinery: Erin Collins – 1st Place (Advances to Nationals)
• Employment Interview – Forestry & Natural Resources: Lizzy Findling – 1st Place (Advances to Nationals), Katie Cheaney – 2nd Place (Advances to Nationals), Michaela Wenke – 3rd Place (Advances to Nationals)
• Precision Ag: Garrett Wintermeyer – 1st Place (Advances to Nationals), David Van Dyke – 2nd Place (Advances to Nationals)
• Beef Specialist Team: Anna Dirksen, Shae Wolf, Hannah Woods – 6th Place (Advances to Nationals)
• College Bowl Team: Tate Tentinger, Lizzy Findling, Justin Schulz, Erin Collins – 4th Place (Advances to Nationals)
• Conservation & Natural Resources Team: Lizzy Findling, Katie Cheaney, Michaela Wenke – 3rd Place (Advances to Nationals)
• Equine Specialist Team: Ravinia Zillmer, Karlee Young, Caitlyn Bjoraker – 1st Place (Advances to Nationals) – Ravinia Zillmer (1st Individual), Karlee Young (3rd Individual)
• Equine Specialist Team: Ella Wallis, Haylee Bowden, Piper Stufflebeam – 3rd Place (Advances to Nationals)
• Equine Specialist Team: Cori Brase, Kayleigh Courtney, Jessica Crowley – 6th Place (Advances to Nationals)
• Farm Business Management Team: Tate Tentinger, Erin Hassebrock, Ryanne Dunn – 3rd Place (Advances to Nationals)
• Poultry Specialist Team: Erin Collins, Justin Schulz – 1st Place (Advances to Nationals) – Justin Schulz (1st Individual), Erin Collins (2nd Individual)
• Poultry Specialist Team: David Van Dyke, Garrett Wintermeyer – 2nd Place (Advances to Nationals) – David Van Dyke (3rd Individual)
• Sheep & Goat Specialist Team: Lily Dirksen, Gabe Reimer, Aubrey Van Langen – 3rd Place (Advances to Nationals) – Lily Dirksen (2nd Individual)

In addition to their competitive success, three ECC students were elected to state PAS officer positions for the 2025-26 year:

• President: Nora Ryan
• Secretary: Erin Collins
• Vice-President: Justin Schulz

“We are incredibly proud of our students’ accomplishments at the Iowa PAS Conference,” said Kevin Butt, Professor of Agriculture at ECC. “Their hard work, dedication, and knowledge have truly shone through. We are excited to see them represent Ellsworth and Iowa at the national competition.”

The National PAS Conference will be held next month in Sheridan, Wyoming.

Ellsworth Community College, located in Iowa Falls, is a member of the Iowa Valley Community College District. The District is comprised of Ellsworth Community College, Marshalltown Community College, Iowa Valley Grinnell, and Iowa Valley Business and Community Solutions. The District serves a broad range of students and businesses throughout Central Iowa. For more information, check out the website at ecc.iavalley.edu.