Wisconsin FHFH Northern Zone Coordinator Mike Handrick presented a certificate of appreciation to Candace Kraft, University of Wisconsin Green Bay student.  Candace contacted us through our website as she was working on her thesis which is titled “The Wisconsin Deer Donation Program.  A Comprehensive Evaluation of a State-Sponsored, Venison Donation Program.”   We connected her with our Wisconsin Coordinator Mike Handrick who was already working with Wisconsin DNR deer donation program coordinator Brad Koele to develop and complete a survey of processors and butchers who participate in the program.

The Wisconsin deer donation program has seen a dramatic decline in donated deer in recent years after peaking in the 2005 – 2008 timeframe.  The purpose of the survey is to help determine why the deer donations have plummeted over recent years.  “Candace was the perfect person to help me complete these phone surveys.” said Mike.  “She completed the bulk of the phone surveys and when combined with my surveys, I was able to complete an executive summary that was presented to Brad Koele who runs the DNR deer donation program.”

Mike is working with us and the Wisconsin DNR to help develop and implement collaborative efforts to raise awareness of our FHFH mission and how it may fit into the existing Wisconsin program.  This is a neat example of how our local FHFH coordinators can proactively engage existing state sponsored programs to develop impactful programs that yield improved results.

Mike presented Candace with the certificate, a t-shirt and cap at the base of the Vince Lombardi statue outside Lambeau Field in Green Bay before the Packers Lions game, Sunday, September 25.  The Packers defeated the Lions, 34 -27.

CLICK HERE​ to read Candace’s thesis.