Kevin McArtor #280

(from December 2025 Crescent)

Brother Kevin McArtor #280 and his wife Denice, a former Rho-Mate, operate a busy and unique Agri-Tourism operation near Malta, Illinois. Jonamac Orchard is a three generational family apple orchard and pumpkin patch. Jonamac Orchard has been in operation since 1984 when Kevin’s parents purchased the property. Kevin and Denice got involved in the early 90s and purchased the house and 2 acres next door where they have lived since 1996. As the name suggests there are apple trees and apples at Jonamac. The orchard has 20,000 apple trees of many different varieties. Not one apple goes to waste. In addition to eating them you can get pies and other baked goods. Apple Cider Donuts are a favorite. Each weekend day during their open season they make around 1300 dozen donuts. For those people who are thirsty some of the apples that do not make the grade for eating are made into apple cider, hard cider and apple wines. Those apples that are left over Jonamac has shooting range with Apple Cannons. Jonamac also has a corn maze a pumpkin patch and many other opportunities for family fun. The gift shop well stocked with donuts, caramel apples, fudge, crafts and novelty items. The Cider House tasting room is also available to sample and purchase the hard cider and wine. Many visitors are from the Chicago area, being located about an hour away. Jonamac is open 17 weeks each Fall, beginning the 3 rd week in August through Thanksgiving. Jonamac welcomes approximately 100,000 visitors each year and employs 150-200 part time employees.

Kevin knew he wanted to be an AGR before he started college. His cousin was an AGR at the University of Illinois. Kevin used to hunt with a friend near Apple River Illinois, this got him interested in northwest Illinois and UW- Platteville. While visiting Platteville with his parents
they attended a luncheon at the AGR house. Kevin also recalls attending a AGR rush party while he was still in high school. Kevin majored in Ag Economics and is a member of the Alpha Delta pledge class. Kevin would go on to become Noble Ruler of Beta Gamma in 1985. Kevin and Denice continue to support Alpha Gamma Rho at Platteville in many ways. At the 50th Anniversary Celebration the donated some of their wine and hard cider to the silent auction.

Kevin currently serves as treasurer of the Beta Gamma Alumni Association. Denice grew up on a dairy and hog operation near Mineral Point, Wisconsin. After graduating from Mineral Point High School, she chose to further her education at UW-Platteville because it
was close to home. She majored in Ag Business. She remembers being one of a few female students majoring in Agriculture. She is surprised how high the percentage of female students majoring in Agriculture is today. While at Platteville Denice became a Rho-Mate and was chosen President of the Rho-Mates.

After graduation Kevin went to work for Farm Credit in Dixon, Illinois. Two years later he and Denice started working at what is now the Resource Bank in Malta, Illinois. Kevin and Denice have two sons Max 31, and Jacob 29.

Mike Sands #003

(from May 2025 Crescent)

Brother Mike Sands grew up on a dairy farm near Wonewoc, Wisconsin. After graduation from Wonewoc-Center High School in 1966 Mike chose to further his education over a life of milking cows. He chose UW-Platteville over UW-Madison in part because of the smaller class size. The first in his family to attend college Platteville was also close to home so he could help out on the farm. At Platteville Mike Majored in Agricultural Industries. He feels that young professors like Dr. Ambrosius, Dr. Cropp and Dr. Cottingham made a lasting impression on him that has helped him in his academic and professional life.

Brother Sands was a member of the start-up Colony of Alpha Gamma Rho at UW-Platteville. Dr. Campbell #001 and John Wegmueller #002 were instrumental in his decision to join. Mike went on to become the second Noble Ruler of the Colony. Mike recalls the initial reception that the AGR Colony got from other Greek organizations was not the greatest as they were viewed as outsiders and interlopers. He credits those brothers who followed him as the ones responsible for building the strong presence that the AGRs now have on the UW-Platteville campus. Mike feels that AGR helped him throughout his career as it taught him the importance of working together to define and achieve common goals. Mike and Ann attended the 50th Anniversary celebration they enjoyed seeing old friends and meeting new people. He takes great pride in seeing what AGR at Platteville has become.

Mike graduated in the spring of 1970. A week after graduation he married Ann, his high school sweetheart. Brother Sands went on to further his education at the University of Illinois where he received his Masters and PhD in Agricultural Economics. In 1974 Mike took a position at Purdue University where he taught undergraduate courses in livestock marketing and commodity futures and worked on some research projects in similar areas. In addition, he did Extension work in market analysis and risk management with Indiana hog and grain producers along with meat packers. In 1979 Mike went to Kansas State where he helped grow the ag econ department’s program in livestock and meat marketing and risk management, targeting Kansas livestock producers.
From 1986 to 1993 Mike was at Colorado State, serving as director of the Livestock Marketing Information Center, a consortium of livestock marketing extension programs in the 17 Western States; along with USDA; to further data availability, research, and livestock and meat market analysis.

In 1993 Mike left academia to accept a position in the private sector as Vice-President with Sparks Companies, Inc., (SCI), an agricultural research and consulting firm in Memphis, Tennessee. SCI, owned by Willard Sparks, had been a leader in grain market analysis and research for years and was looking to expand their expertise and engagement in the livestock and meat markets, in conjunction with their growing involvement in the cattle feeding industry, which reached near 250,000 head one-time capacity in the early 2000s. SCI was sold to Informa Economics in 2005 and Mike continued to provide market analysis and risk management expertise to clients at every stage of the cattle and beef industry from the ranch to retail and foodservice. In 2017
Informa downsized and, a self-described workaholic, Mike started his own consulting business, MBS Research where he continues to work with a small group of cattle feeders, commodity traders, and hedge fund managers. He says working keeps him out of Ann’s hair. In his spare time he does woodworking and photography. His other enjoyment was riding his BMW motorcycle but an accident last fall may have ended his motorcycling days.

Mike and Ann will mark 55 years of wedded bliss in June. They have two children and two grandchildren. Their daughter heads up the DUI testing and enforcement division of the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and their son manages the body shop for a Cadillac dealership in Denver.

Honoring Those Who Served

Stan Smith #59

(from May 2025 Crescent)

Stan Smith #59 enrolled at UW-Platteville after graduation from Argyle High School in the fall of 1966. He knew he wanted to major in Agriculture and he found Madison too big and River Falls was too far away from
his home, Mud Branch which is just outside of Argyle, Wisconsin. Stan decided to stay close to home an enrolled at UW-Platteville.

In 1968 when Stan Was a Junior, he joined the Platteville Colony of AGR. Stan was already married to Barb and she was called the AGR House Mother. Stan credits Dr Campell, John Wegmueller #2, Mike Sands #3 and Don Von Rueden #58 as Brothers who influenced him to join.

After graduation Stan taught Agriculture at Barneveld High School. During his time at Barneveld, he and Barb were blessed with a daughter. Soon after her birth Stan was contacted by the Lafayette County Draft Board informing him that Uncle Sam wanted him. Stan recalls that UW-Platteville and others sent letters to the Draft Board stressing that there was a shortage of Ag teachers and that he was needed in Barneveld. The Draft Board was not convinced.

In July 1970 Stan said good bye to Barb and their daughter and reported to Fort Campell, Kentucky for “Boot Camp”. Stan was glad that he was a farm boy as he thinks it gave him a toughness that some of the other soldiers lacked. After “Boot Camp” Stan was sent to Fort Bliss, Texas for Advanced Infantry Training. After he finished training, he was sent to South Korea for 13 months. In Korea Stan became a clerk in headquarters at a base near the Demilitarized Zone (near the border between South and North Korea). He said his job was similar to “Radar O’Reilly” from the popular TV show “M.A.S.H.”. Stan thinks that his college education benefited him in the military. Tensions between North and South Korea were high. They had to be on alert for an invasion by North Korea. After 13 months in Korea Stan was sent back to the United States to finish out his military commitment. About that time then President Richard Nixon instituted the “Man Power Cut Down” and Stan was discharged upon his return to the United States.

After his return Stan contacted Barneveld High School about getting his teaching job back. Barneveld had already hired someone else and told him they didn’t need him. Soon after that Barneveld’s School Superintendent got a letter from the U.S. Defense Department telling him that they had to rehire Stan or they were in violation of Federal Law which required employers to rehire soldiers to their old jobs after they completed their military service. However, with the help of the UW-P Placement Office Stan found
a teaching job in Plymouth, Wisconsin so Barneveld did not have to rehire him. While teaching in Plymouth Stan was contacted by a Production Credit Association (PCA) loan officer about working for them at their Juneau, Wisconsin office. In February of 1975 Stan started his long career in agriculture credit. He worked for PCA. for 12 years, then took a job with Bank One. After some disagreements with Bank One over their lending policies Stan went to work for Farmers and Union Bank in Columbus, Wisconsin.

Stan worked for 36 years in agricultural lending and feels fortunate that he has never left Juneau. He has become involved in the community as an Alderman, Dodge County Pork Producers and the Juneau Lions
Club. Now retired Stan is avid collector of farm toys and memorabilia, military toys and Christmas ornaments. Stan also has a 1970 Ford Mustang and 1949 Ford truck that he is restoring with the help of his son-inlaw. Stan was married to Barb in 1967 they had one daughter and one granddaughter. Unfortunately Stan lost Barb to cancer 12 years ago.

Stan is very proud of his military service and is a member of the American Legion. Stan has served as an Honor Guard for military funerals in the Juneau area numerous times. Thank you, Brother Stan Smith, for your service to your Country and to the agricultural community.

Mike and Lynn Martz #154

(from Dec 2024 Crescent)

Brother Mike Martz #154 and his wife Lynn (a former Rho-Mate) have built a very successful grain and cattle business in Maple Park, Illinois (near DeKalb) in partnership with Lynn’s family. Lynn is in charge of the cropping operation which is 6,500 acres. Mike runs the beef feedlot operation which finishes 7,000 head per year. Included in the custom feedlot operation are cattle that are feed out for other owners. A unique feature is their use of Ultra-Sound technology which enables them to send cattle to market at an ideal time. Because of this, buyers are willing to pay a premium for cattle from their feedlot. You can find out more about Mike and Lynn’s farming operation at www.Larsonfarms.com.

Mike grew up on a 6,900-acre grain farm near Lanark, Illinois. After high school Mike enrolled at Highland Junior College in Freeport, Illinois. After graduating from Highland in 1976 Mike enrolled at Platteville and majored in Agricultural Education. Mike was a member of the Xi pledge class. Amongst Mike’s memories in AGR include the “Skip Out” to Illinois State in Bloomington, Illinois. Another memory involved a horse at the college farm. Mike commented that he met many AGRs while showing cattle and he knew if he had the chance, he would become a member. Mike’s fondest memory of AGR at UW-Platteville was meeting Lynn. Lynn grew up in Maple Park, Illinois and enrolled at UW-Platteville after graduating from Kaneland High School. At Platteville she majored in Agri-Business. Lynn recalls when she started at Platteville there were only five females in the College of Ag. When Mike started at UW-Platteville he shared an apartment with two other men that he knew from Highland Community College, Earl Heimerdinger #153 and John Meyers #152. All three that lived in that apartment pledged AGR and all three married Rho-Mates.

After Platteville Mike started teaching Vo-Ag at Pearl City, Illinois where had student taught. Mike recalls taking some of his students to tour UW-Platteville. One of those students was Brother Ken Gibson #231.

Mike and Lynn married in 1979 and went into partnership with Lynn’s parents and Lynn’s brother. Soon after joining the partnership, they managed a 1,200-acre beef operation near Rewey, Wisconsin. Nine years later they sold the Rewey location and moved to Maple Park, Illinois.

In addition to their busy farm life, they are active in their church. Lynn as the treasurer and Mike as Church Council Chair. Mike served as the President of Illinois Beef Association for 2 years and the Governor appointed him to the Illinois State Fair Board. They also are active in a Livestock Development group that helps producers navigate the permitting process.

Mike and Lynn’s son Justin has also joined the operation. Justin and his wife, Jamie, have three children which are involved in FFA, 4-H and sports. Justin was the Noble Ruler of the Alpha Chapter at the University of Illinois. Tragedy struck Mike and Lynn on January 20, 2000 when they lost their son Doug to a heart condition. At that time, they were thankful for the support they got from several AGR brothers.

Mike and Lynn appreciate the relationships they have made through Alpha Gamma Rho. They attended the 50th Anniversary where they renewed many old friendships and were impressed by the size of the crowd. In closing the brothers of Beta Gamma would like to thank the Martz’s for their generous support of the AGR chapter at UW-Platteville. They say that they feel a sense of responsibility to help keep the chapter strong and also be a fraternity that their grandsons could potentially join.

Steve Mergen #071

(from May 2024 Crescent)

Brother Steve Mergen came to UW-Platteville after graduating from West Grant High School (now River Ridge). He chose Platteville because it was close to home and he could go home and help out on the weekends. Steve majored in Animal Science with minors Ag Business and Psychology. He later got his Master’s in Education. While at Platteville he became one of the founding members of the Platteville Colony of Alpha Gamma Rho. Steve recalls that his brothers in Alpha Gamma Rho made him feel welcome. He also mentioned that during his long work career he has met many AGR’s and they were always there to help. AGR helped Steve realize “that ag people are good people.” While Steve was student teaching in Hillsboro, Wisconsin Steve rented a room from a retired teacher. She mentioned to Steve that she missed the interaction with young people. Steve knew that the AGR’s at UW-Platteville were looking for a House Mother. Ms. Helen Johnson soon became our House Mother for many years.

After graduating from UW-Platteville in 1970 Steve took a job with a bank in Chadwick, Illinois. He later got an offer from the Holstien Association which he accepted. Brother Mergen spent 20 years with the Holstien Association in California and New York for a combined eight years. While working with the Holstein Association in California he helped a few UW-Platteville students get internships at large dairies (including Brother Jack Ellickson). Steve then returned to Wisconsin and was the fieldman for the Holstein Association in the northern part of the state. His work with the Holstein Association gave Steve the opportunity to travel to Venezuela, and Europe. Steve takes great pride in having helped develop three All-American cows.

After leaving the Holstein Association Steve worked for Farm Credit of Wausau prospecting for new accounts for seven years. He then worked for Monsanto for sixteen years selling BST (Bovine Growth Hormone). His next stop was at River Country Co-op where Steve did dairy nutrition work for four years. Recently he has been helping families settle their estates. In these instances, he is appointed by a judge to help beneficiaries who are not in agreement how the assets should be distributed. In another case Steve is liquidating the assets in order to establish a trust for a surviving family member who has a handicap. Throughout his career Steve has enjoyed the interaction he has had with agricultural people. One of his supervisors gave Steve some advice that has guided him for many years. He told Steve that “you will sell what Johnny buys when you see the world through Johnny’s eyes.” Steve enjoys getting to know his customers and finding out not only what they want but more importantly what they need.

Brother Mergen has been married to Sharon for 47 years. Sharon was a member of Gamma Phi Beta at UW-Platteville. She taught for a few years then concentrated on raising their three children, Bryan, Sharon and Jenny. Steve and Sharon have 5 grandchildren. In his spare time Steve likes to fish and he has been active in the Lions Club, serving two terms as President, and his church council. Fellow founding member Don Von Rueden #58 remembers Steve as a no-nonsense kind of guy who always could be relied upon to help get the job done.