CSIF Announces Scholarship Recipients in Celebration of 15th Anniversary

06-12-2019 in Anniversary

Contact: Gabby Glenister, 515.225.5526, gglenister@supportfarmers.com

WEST DES MOINES, IOWA – June 10, 2019 – The Coalition to Support Iowa’s Farmers (CSIF) has selected 15 exceptional students from across the state of Iowa who will receive a $250 scholarship in celebration of their 15th anniversary in 2019.

The students selected through the application process are all graduating seniors or currently enrolled in college and planning to pursue a degree in the field of agriculture.

“We had several exceptional applicants all passionate about a future in agriculture,” said 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.”

Those selected will be recognized at CSIF’s 15^th anniversary celebration on August 14 at the FFA Enrichment Center in Ankeny.

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 upon academic excellence, leadership experiences, community involvement and strength of character. Applicants were required to be Iowa residents with an interest in agriculture 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 growing family farm.

Colin Carlson is a junior in Agricultural Studies at Iowa State University from Lake City, Iowa. Carlson was heavily involved in FFA and 4-H as he grew up in the agricultural industry and enjoyed showing livestock. He is currently 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 Agricultural 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 Agricultural 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 Agricultural Education at Iowa State University. Madelynn is from State Center, Iowa 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 who studies 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 Iowa State, she holds offices in both the Agricultural 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, Iowa is an incoming freshman at Iowa State University and plans to study Animal Science. Jorgensen’s family grows row crops and raises hogs; she also showed livestock in 4-H. She 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 Agricultural Studies from Pleasantville, Iowa. McCormick grew up on his family farm and enjoyed showing livestock and being a member of 4-H and FFA. At Iowa State, he’s involved in the Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity, Block and 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 agricultural 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 Agricultural 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 agricultural community through volunteer and service opportunities.

Stacia Sexton is a freshman studying Agricultural Communications at Iowa State University and hails from Decorah, Iowa. 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 which allows her to utilize her lifelong passion for agriculture.

Rebecca Trumm is from Cascade, Iowa 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 which allows her to support and assist farmers.

The Coalition to Support Iowa’s Farmers was created by farmers to help farmers raise livestock successfully and responsibly. It’s a partnership involving the Iowa Beef Industry Council, Iowa Cattlemen’s Association, Iowa Corn Growers Association, Iowa Farm Bureau Federation, Iowa Pork Producers Association, Iowa Poultry Association, Iowa Soybean Association, Iowa Turkey Federation and Midwest Dairy Association. The non-profit, non-partisan organization aids farmers at no cost. CSIF does not lobby or develop policy. Farm families wanting a helping hand can contact the coalition at 1-800-932-2436.

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