Local Ag Educators Recognize Rick and Robin Hanson for Outstanding Cooperation
information and photos released by Kevin Amsden – Manson Agricultural Education Teacher/FFA Advisor and Bailey Dezellem – Chelan Agricultural Education Teacher/FFA Advisor
The Outstanding Cooperation Award, sponsored by the National Association of Agricultural Educators (NAAE) is a yearly recognition meant to highlight organizations, agribusiness companies, and others who have given outstanding support to agricultural education. Rick and Robin Hanson were nominated by the local Agricultural Educators for their years of dedication and support to our local programs, and beyond.
Rick and Robin Hanson had three students go through Chelan FFA, the last of whom graduated in 2015. Regardless, they are still actively involved.
Rick is a local business owner running his own electrical contracting company, while his wife Robin is in charge of the Manson School District Food Program. In addition to working full time, they also operate a small hay farm, and raise swine and cattle. They are both members of the FFA Alumni Board, which provides loans to FFA members to raise livestock.
They are major players in the FFA Alumni Farm, which provides space for members who do not have an area to raise/grow their SAE projects.
Rick is the Livestock Chairman at the Chelan County Fair. They are both heavily involved in the Chelan-Manson Youth Fair Fund, which supports local youth at the county livestock sales. You can see both of them helping out at the concession stand for the Lake Chelan Rodeo and Jr Rodeos, as well as the new high school rodeo. They also provide meals for attendees of the Chelan FFA Horticulture Day Trade Show. At the county fairs, they provide breakfast and dinner for the Chelan FFA livestock students for a very low cost, in order to guarantee all kids get enough to eat.
You can also find them at the District Leadership contest, not only judging, but providing meals for all students and advisors in attendance. They are more than willing, even upset, if they are not asked to help with anything 4H or FFA related. During COVID, they helped create ways for students to continue being active in FFA, including setting up a mini cattle judging competition for our students. If it benefits kids, they will be there. If an emergency arises and you need help, they will drop whatever they are doing to assist, and expect nothing in return. In fact, if they had known they would be nominated for this award, they probably be rather furious, since they are not one to draw attention to themselves and their actions. For that, the entire Wenatchee Valley is better off with them here.
Rick and Robin, thank you again for everything.
