Frazee Student Helps Find Source of Avian Influenza

Frazee Student Helps Find Source of Avian Influenza

By Guest Blogger, Katherine Gathje of the Eden Valley-Watkins FFA Chapter

While some high-school students might spend their summers hanging out with friends at the pool. FFA members and farm kids everywhere are out seeking opportunities to make themselves more successful. They are practicing for national competitions, attending camps, and most importantly racking up the hours for their Supervised Agricultural Experience.

This summer was no different for senior and Frazee FFA President, Melissa Schilling.

Schilling had the opportunity to work as a Youth Conservation Corps member at Tamarac National Wildlife Refuge.

Outside of FFA, Schilling is a member of the National Honor Society and MN Senior Envirothon. She grew up on a 300 acre, 170 head- family beef farm and is the daughter of Charles and Regina Schilling.

Melissa completed a proficiency application for her work. She will be recognized as the winner of her proficiency area, Wildlife Management, at this year's Minnesota State Convention.

“My role has been mainly to assist in the process of banding Canada Geese. I helped in the setup of capture and I handled the geese to be tested by animal health interns. I also assisted in sexing, banding, and recording individual geese,” said Schilling of her duties with the project. Schilling was chosen to assist in this work through the DNR because she is part of the crew at the Tamarac National Wildlife Refuge near Detroit Lakes, MN. This project lasted about a week in June when the geese were in the process of molting. Melissa worked for eight weeks this summer at the Tamarac National Wildlife Refuge.

After they had banded the geese they were sent to a health station on site. There they had blood, feces, and saliva tests for Avian Influenza and other diseases. “The samples were then sent to a lab in I believe the Cites,” said Melissa.

“My involvement in FFA has helped me discover my passion for wildlife and natural resources. It also gave me the prior knowledge needed to successfully work at a Wildlife Refuge and on its projects,” said Schilling. FFA has been inspiring people like Melissa to work towards their goals because they will help them succeed and see the importance of being involved at a young age.

Melissa started her FFA participation as a member of the Forestry CDE and her team won state and received seventh at nationals her freshman year. Since then she has competed in Fish and Wildlife Management.

As for her future, Schilling plans to attend the University of Minnesota, Crookston this fall to pursue a Park and Wildlife Management Bachelor's Degree. “I have always been interested in working with wildlife and plan to pursue this field for a career,” said Melissa. blood, feces, and saliva tests for Avian Influenza and other diseases. ” “The samples were then sent to a lab in I believe the Cites,” said Melissa.

“My involvement in FFA has helped me discover my passion for wildlife and natural resources. It also gave me the prior knowledge needed to successfully work at a Wildlife Refuge and on its projects,” said Schilling. FFA has been inspiring people like Melissa to work towards their goals because they will help them succeed and see the importance of being involved at a young age.

Melissa started her FFA participation as a member of the Forestry CDE and her team won state and received seventh at nationals her freshman year. Since then she has competed in Fish and Wildlife Management.

As for her future, Schilling plans to attend the University of Minnesota, Crookston this fall to pursue a Park and Wildlife Management Bachelor's Degree.

“I have always been interested in working with wildlife and plan to pursue this field for a career,” said Melissa.