Published on March 3, 2026

Lake Land College recently held its annual Ag Banquet, honoring all agriculture students for the 2025-2026 school year and recognizing outstanding students in each Ag program.

During the event, Mark Niemerg, Mattoon, was recognized as an honored alumnus of the Lake Land College Ag division.

Several current students also received awards for outstanding performance in their respective programs.

For the Livestock Judging Team, Thomas Jannseen; Wellsburg, Iowa, was named the Top Hog Evaluator. Hudson Drake; Chillicothe, Ohio, was named the Top Reasons Presenter. Drake also received the Phil Rincker Memorial Award, presented annually to the Livestock Judging Team member who scores the highest in the beef category.  Jasper Tarr, Le Roy, received the Jordan Fledderjohann Memorial Award for having this year’s highest overall score in the sheep and goat division.

For the Ag Business program, Eva Meinhart, Dieterich, earned the High GPA Award. Jonika Nickles, Oakland, received the Ag Business Outstanding Student Award.

For the Ag Power program, Beau Doedtman, Beecher City, received both the High GPA and the Outstanding Student Awards.

Both the High GPA and Outstanding Student Awards for the Ag Production program  went to Brent Runyan; Waynetown, Indianna.

The Horticulture High GPA and Outstanding Student Awards were both presented to Melissa Brummer, Dieterich.

For the John Deere Tech program, Joseph Faulkner, Orion, received the High GPA Award, while Hayden Hoerchler, Venedy, was honored with the Outstanding Student Award.

For the Ag Transfer Program, Aubrey Killey, Berwick, received the Outstanding Student Award. Jay Bliler, Taylorville, received the program’s High GPA Award. Bliler also received the Ag Overall Outstanding Student Award, presented annually to the highest-achieving student among all Lake Land College Ag programs.