Middleton, WI – The Wisconsin Association of Meat Processors (WAMP) held their 84th annual convention on April 13-16, 2023, at the Marriott Madison West-Middleton, Wis. The convention hosts meat processors primarily from the state of Wisconsin, as well as industry suppliers to the meat industry.
At the organization’s Saturday evening banquet, Adam J. Franzen was recognized as the first recipient of the Dennis R. Buege Meat Science Endowed Student Assistantship Award. Cathy Buege presented the plaque to Adam. Adam is from Janesville, Wis. He received his B.S. degree in Animal Science from UW-Platteville. As an undergraduate he worked at Weber’s processing plant in Cuba City. In the fall of 2020, Adam started a M.S. degree associated with Dr. James Claus’ research program in the new Meat Science & Animal Biologics Discovery building. Adam’s research focuses on the meat quality effects of vascularly rinsing carcasses. During the beginning of his program he also worked part time in quality assurance at Vallia Foods in Jefferson, Wis. Adam has been very active in supporting research activities and the harvest facility at UW. Adam provided a research presentation in 2022 at the Reciprocal Meat Conference in Iowa on some of his preliminary results. Adam has served as a Graduate Teaching Assistant in the Department’s Principles of Meat Science course and Commercial Meat Processing course. Adam aspires to pursue a career working in a meat packing plant.