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4-H, FFA members reap rewards for leadership
Over $140K in scholarships handed out to 4-H and FFA members who show leadership experience.
September 4, 2024
4 Min Read
LEADERSHIP REWARDED: 4-H and FFA teach youth more than how to show livestock. These two organizations teach leadership qualities, and those qualities were rewarded as 56 youth received the Minnesota Livestock Breeders’ Association 4-H Purple Ribbon Auction Scholarships.Kevin Schulz
In a strong show of support for the state’s youth, the Minnesota Livestock Breeders’ Association (MLBA) 4-H Purple Ribbon Auction Scholarships totaling $140,500 were awarded to 56 4-H and FFA members.
Participants are selected based on leadership experience and personal growth achievements. Additionally, the scholarship rewards academic excellence and outstanding livestock production.
This year, $5,000 scholarships were given to 14 youths, $2,500 scholarships were given to 19 and $1,000 was awarded to 23. “The support from the greater livestock community is phenomenal and very appreciated,” MLBA Secretary Steve Pooch says.
Since the inception of the scholarship program, there have been 654 scholarships given totaling $1,099,500.
$5,000 scholarships
Natalie Clemenson of Goodhue County, sponsored by American Foods Group
Ella Hegland of Dakota County, sponsored by Chuck Christians Memorial
Kaleb Heins of Stevens County, sponsored by AcuFast
Shelby Lang of McLeod County, sponsored by CorTrust Bank
Alison Murrell of Isanti County, sponsored by Don McClure-Sky Ride
Katie Radman of Dakota County, sponsored by Barbara and Brian Knudson
Tyler Ratka of Stearns County, sponsored by Wholestone Farms
Andrew Revier of Renville County, sponsored by O’Sullivan Cattle and O’Sullivan Auctioneers
Luke Ruen of Fillmore County, sponsored by Cemstone
Ava Schoenfeld of Lincoln County, sponsored by Dick Boniface Memorial
Mikayla Skiba of Isanti County, sponsored by the Minnesota Farmers Union
Andrew Timm of Mower County, sponsored by Zinpro Corp.
Abigail VanPelt of Mower County, sponsored by Topigs Norsvin USA
Rachel Visser of McLeod County, sponsored by Hy-Vee Foods
$2,500 scholarships
Breelee Berkenpas of Pipestone County, sponsored by Pipestone Grain Co.
Maddox Christensen of Freeborn County, sponsored by Compeer Financial
Rachael Dose of Sibley County, sponsored by John Schafer
Karly Flom of Rice County, sponsored by Boehringer Ingelheim
Allison Foss of Isanti County, sponsored by Duke’s Poutine, Matt and Erin Ribar
Misty Geerdes of Martin County, sponsored by the Minnesota Association of Meat Processors
Mason Grams of McLeod County, sponsored by Boehringer Ingelheim
Alicia Holtz of Morrison County, sponsored by Federated Co-ops Inc.
Kiera Lafferty of Brown County, sponsored by LA-CO Industries
Sonja Lahti of West Otter Tail County, sponsored by AgCountry Farm Credit Services
Ellen Merkouris of Freeborn County, sponsored by Zinpro Corp.
Mackenzie Moline of Nicollet County, sponsored by Big Gain
Braxton O’Rourke of Faribault County, sponsored by the Minnesota Pork Board
Lilly Ostlie of Swift County, sponsored by BankIn Minnesota
Julia Patterson of Goodhue County, sponsored by Mary and Don Weis
Kallie Reinhardt of Wabasha County, sponsored by Carousel Foods
Britney Smith of Carver County, sponsored by Corn Roast Concessions' Brad and Lori Ribar
Katherine VanPelt of Mower County, sponsored by Hamilton Auctions
Preston Welling of Jackson County, sponsored by Mouth Trap Cheese Curds
$1,000 scholarships
Adriana Behl of Kandiyohi County, sponsored by Bellingham Farmers Elevator
Rylee Bundermann of Douglas County, sponsored by Midwest Machinery
Kaislyn Bunkowski of East Otter Tail County, sponsored by ProAg Farmers Cooperative
Will DeBates of Pipestone County, sponsored by the Minnesota Simmental Association
Elliana Doll of Washington County, sponsored by Von Hanson’s Meats
Lydia Drees of Mower County, sponsored by Hormel Foods
Adelle Erickson of Polk County, sponsored by Minnesota Cattlewomen
Tyler Erickson of Freeborn County, sponsored by Protein Sources
Wyatt Glessing of Wright County, sponsored by Kent Thiesse and Steve Pooch
Andrina Gross of Isanti County, sponsored by Munsterteiger Family Farms
Ava Grunhovd of Polk County, sponsored by Pronto Pups — the Karnis family
Cale Hansen of Blue Earth County, sponsored by Protein Sources, Schroder Concessions
Emma Heiden of Winona County, sponsored by Ziegler Ag Equipment
Mary Lanoue of Lyon County, sponsored by Gislason & Hunter LLP
Lyndsey Penegor of Carver County, sponsored by Von Hanson’s Meats
Tiegan Prigge of Winona County, sponsored by Kristi and Eric Ruen
Kalie Ritter of Stearns County, sponsored by Pronto Pups — the Karnis family
Eva Rustand of West Otter Tail County, sponsored by Shanghaied Henri’s
Tate Sheehan of Renville County, sponsored by Tom and Mary Kriva, Juanita Reed Boniface
Nicole Sievert of Sibley County, sponsored by Joleen and Gary Koch
Kailey Smith of Dakota County, sponsored by Jamie and Mark Purfeerst
Macy Sonnek of Faribault County, sponsored by Hubbard Feeds
Aivin Wasmoen of Freeborn County, sponsored by Ziegler Ag Equipment
The funding equation for the scholarships is a combination of donations from livestock industry leaders and supporters matched by MLBA/4-H Purple Ribbon Auction proceeds.
Each year during the Minnesota 4-H State Fair, a purple ribbon auction is conducted to sell the premiums of outstanding youth livestock exhibits, with 80% of the funds going directly to the youth and the remaining invested in the scholarship fund and expenses related to the auction.
Source: University of Minnesota Extension/Minnesota Livestock Breeders’ Association
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