The Coalition to Support Iowa’s Farmers has selected 15 students from across Iowa as recipients of a $250 scholarship in celebration of the organization’s 15th anniversary this year.

The students selected through the application process are graduating high school seniors, or currently enrolled in college and planning to pursue a degree in the field of agriculture. Those selected will be recognized at CSIF’s 15th anniversary celebration on Aug. 14 at the FFA Enrichment Center in Ankeny.

“We have exceptional applicants all passionate about a future in agriculture,” says CSIF executive director Brian Waddingham. “We are proud to support these students and optimistic about the future of agriculture after seeing the talent and ambition of these young people.”

Applicants were asked to submit a resume, letter of recommendation, school transcript and an essay detailing their involvement in agriculture, as well as their plans for the future. Students were selected based on academic excellence, leadership experiences, community involvement and strength of character. Applicants were required to be Iowa residents with an interest in ag and at least a 2.5 cumulative GPA.

CSIF congratulates the following recipients:

Alex Bishop is a junior at Iowa State University pursuing a degree in animal science with intentions of attending veterinary school. Bishop grew up on her family’s diversified farming operation in Manchester, Iowa, and was involved in 4-H. She has served as a Peer Mentor for the Animal Science Department and is a member of Block and Bridle.

Paige Burgett of Chariton is a freshman at Des Moines Area Community College studying agriculture. Burgett plans to eventually transfer to Iowa State University and major in ag studies. She is interested in pursing a career as a technician specializing in artificial insemination and pregnancy checking large animals, in addition to returning to her family farm. 

Colin Carlson is a junior in ag studies at Iowa State University from Lake City. Carlson was heavily involved in FFA and 4-H as he grew up in the ag industry and enjoyed showing livestock. He is a member of the livestock judging team at Iowa State and hopes to be a nutritionist for a livestock feed company in the future.

Ellen Cook is a freshman studying ag communications at Iowa State University. Her hometown is Hubbard, Iowa. Cook was inspired to pursue this degree after growing up in agriculture and being involved in FFA. She hopes to teach others about the industry and its farmers using the values she’s gained on the farm.

Justin Dillon of Sumner is a sophomore at Iowa State University majoring in ag engineering. He was a 4-H and FFA member, and grew up on his family’s farming operation. He hopes to use his experience in agriculture and his degree to do engineering work with ag machinery and continue to build his family’s farm.

Madelynn Green is a junior pursing a degree in ag education at Iowa State University. Madelynn is from State Center, where she grew up on her family’s row crop and cattle operation. Green is a member of Iowa Youth Beef Team and was heavily involved in 4-H and FFA. Green hopes to become an agricultural educator while continuing to be involved in her family’s farm.

Cynthia Hamlett is a junior studying agriculture and society, and dairy science at Iowa State University. From Aurora, Hamlett attributes her upbringing on her family’s dairy farm for giving her a passion for agriculture. At ISU, she holds offices in both the Ag Communicators of Tomorrow Club and the Dairy Science club. In her career, she hopes to serve as an advocate for those in the dairy industry.

Jayden Jorgensen of Rudd is an incoming freshman at Iowa State University and plans to study animal science. Her family grows row crops and raises hogs; she showed livestock in 4-H. Jayden is the 2019 Floyd County Beef Queen. She’d like to pursue a career in agriculture and eventually take over her family’s farming operation.

Ashley Kurt is a freshman at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville studying ag business. She is originally from Cascade, Iowa, where she grew up on her family’s farm, assisting with everything from calving to planting. She also owns a successful bale-wrapping business with her brother, which she hopes to continue to expand after college.

Hunter Lock of Packwood will be a freshman this fall at Hutchinson Community College studying animal science, where she plans to compete on their livestock judging team. Lock grew up exhibiting livestock and hopes to pursue a career in genetics or livestock pharmacy. She’d also like to continue raising show cattle with her family. 

Ryland McCormick is a sophomore at Iowa State University majoring in ag studies from Pleasantville. McCormick grew up on his family farm and enjoyed showing livestock and being a member of 4-H and FFA. At ISU, he’s involved in the Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity, Block & Bridle, Farm Operations Club and Bacon Expo 2019.

Leah Mosher from Liscomb plans to attend Iowa State University this fall and pursue a degree in agriculture and society. She grew up on her family’s cattle, sheep and diversified crop operation. Mosher’s experiences with the Mid-Iowa Youth Beef Team gave her an interest in ag policy, and she hopes to serve as an advocate for those in agriculture while continuing to be involved in her family’s operation.

Brett Schiele is a freshman majoring in ag studies at Iowa State University from West Liberty. He grew up showing livestock and helping with his family’s hog and cattle operation. After college, he plans to return home and take over responsibilities of his family’s livestock farm. He also hopes to serve the ag community through volunteer and service opportunities.

Stacia Sexton is a freshman studying ag communications at Iowa State University and hails from Decorah. Since a young age, Sexton has handled a large amount of responsibility on her family’s dairy and beef cattle farm. She hopes to pursue a career that allows her to use her lifelong passion for agriculture.

Rebecca Trumm is from Cascade and is a freshman in ag studies at Iowa State University. She grew up on her family’s grain and livestock farm. Upon graduating from college, she hopes to return to eastern Iowa and begin a career in agriculture that lets her support and assist farmers.

Source: CSIF, which is responsible for the information provided and is wholly owned by the source. Informa Business Media and its subsidiaries aren’t responsible for any content in this information source.