Published:
Agriculture’s Brightest Students Take the Stage
Every spring, some of the most dedicated agriculture students in the country gather for one of the biggest events in collegiate ag education, the NACTA Judging Conference. In 2026, the contest was hosted at Illinois State University, bringing together two-year and four-year colleges from across North America to compete, learn, and celebrate the future of the industry. Black Hawk College took around 50 students this year to compete in various subjects.
NACTA stands for the North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture, a professional organization founded in 1955. Its mission is to support great teaching in agriculture, encourage hands-on learning, and to celebrate excellence in student competitions. The annual judging conference is one of NACTA’s biggest events. Students compete in contests like Agribusiness, Ag Computers, Ag Education, Crops, Dairy Cattle Judging, Hippology, Horse Judging, Horticulture, Knowledge Bowl, Livestock Judging, Livestock Management, Parliamentary Procedure, Portfolio, Precision Ag, Soils Judging, and Veterinary Science. Each of these competitions is designed to test real-world agricultural skills.
Black Hawk College Won the Sweepstakes title for the 17th Year in a Row!
Black Hawk College earned the highest combined score across all contests, proving once again why the school is known nationwide for its powerhouse agriculture programs. This streak shows what’s possible when a college invests deeply in hands-on learning, coaching, and student success.
Each team has a vital role in sweepstakes. Every individual has to work hard, and every student’s score matters. Even the individuals who may not have been called up on stage still contributed to the overall total and made huge impacts. Their efforts are just as important, and sweepstakes wouldn’t be possible without them. It is special to be a part of a college that puts so much dedication into one goal and dominates.
For the past two years, I’ve competed at NACTA, but with graduation approaching, this year’s banquet stood out in a way the previous year didn’t.
Traveling with Black Hawk College and representing the school comes with a mix of emotions that hit you all at once: pressure, excitement, pride, and a sense of belonging. At NACTA, you compete as an individual, with your specialized team, and as a group in sweepstakes. No matter which team you’re on, there’s always respect and the same spark of excitement when someone’s name is called or when “Black Hawk College” echoes through the room. And honestly, the stories from these trips, the spur‑of‑the‑moment jokes, the late‑night laughs, the conversations about the future with peers and teachers, those are the moments that stick with you long after the contests and results are over.
At the banquet, when the first few results didn’t fall in our favor, you could feel the nerves set across our tables, and you could feel everyone doing the mental math of what it might mean overall. But then, the Equine results were announced, and they absolutely dominated their contest, even with classes that pushed them outside their comfort zone. That result flipped the atmosphere instantly and gave everyone a morale boost.
Then the Quiz Bowl team was announced as champions. They competed throughout the week and came out on top of their bracket. Every match had a loud, intense, and high‑energy atmosphere. Not only did they win the two‑year division, but they also beat Iowa State, the four‑year champion, in the fun round. Watching a room full of students and coaches cheering for their teammates at the buzzers was one of those moments where you could really feel how connected everyone was.
Back at the banquet, the Livestock Judging team and individuals kept getting called for achievement after achievement. Then it was time for Soils. Our whole team sat together, nervous but hopeful. We had faced some unexpected pits during the contest, but we kept reminding ourselves of something a four‑year university coach told us during practice: “No matter what happens, champions adjust… and so do we.”
And we did. When placements started getting called, it felt like confirmation that our adjustments had paid off. The momentum built quickly; the top four individuals overall were all from BHC, and almost our entire team earned placements across the different categories. Seeing those four teammates’ reactions, the pride on their faces and the relief of knowing our hard work paid off was unforgettable. Being named the high team overall felt especially good after leaving the contest unsure of how we had done.
Then the Veterinary Science team was announced as champions. Finally, Black Hawk College was named the sweepstakes winner. We made history again.
What made it even more meaningful was that it wasn’t just the students celebrating; our coaches were right there with us, feeling every emotion we felt. Grace Angotti, Dr. Blake Bloomberg, Aaron Callahan, Drew Cotton, Janet Johnson, and Cole Wright weren’t just standing on the sidelines; they were part of every cheer, every nervous moment, every celebration. Their support is a huge part of why BHC feels like a family. They push us, believe in us, and stand with us through every high and low.
Knowing that each of us contributed to that sweepstakes title, that our effort, our long practices, our nerves, and our dedication are now etched into the legacy of Black Hawk College, felt powerful. Our work is now part of the story that future students will add to. The trophy doesn’t list our individual names; it simply says Black Hawk College, but that’s what makes it meaningful. For seventeen years, teams before us have added to that streak, and now our season is part of that line too. It represents something bigger than any one group or result. And that’s something I’ll always be proud of.
A Special Honor: Dan Hoge Recognized Nationally
Another major moment came when Dan Hoge of Black Hawk College was acknowledged for the NACTA Judging and Student Service Award. This award was given to a faculty member who has provided exceptional service to students, especially through coaching judging teams. Dan Hoge has taught generations of students, shaped countless careers, and built a reputation that stretches far beyond the classroom.
Personally, what makes Dan Hoge unforgettable is the way he treats others. He remembers not just names, but people. He remembers who you are, where you sat in the auditorium, and what you went on to do after leaving BHC. He remembers your family, your hometown, and the stories you told him years ago. He does this for everyone, not just the students he worked most closely with.
That’s the thing about Dr. Hoge: He makes every person feel seen, valued, and capable.
Even though he is technically retired, his influence is everywhere, and he continues to play an active role in animal science teaching at Black Hawk College. Students talk about him with respect. Alumni still tell stories about him. Successful citizens across the country credit him for shaping their careers. He is, in every sense, what a legacy looks like.
Contest Highlights
Congratulations to all of the teams and the individuals.
Looking Ahead
With another successful year in the books, NACTA continues to grow, innovate, and support the next generation of agricultural leaders. The College looks forward to celebrating this moment and students’ achievements at the Ag Banquet on Friday, May 22, with the commencement ceremony to follow later that evening.