Agribusiness, dairy science, mechanical engineering and dairy farm management are a sampling of the careers represented by the 2015 Foremost Farms USA Agricultural Education Scholarship winners. This year ten scholarships of $2,000 each will be awarded to the sons and daughters of member-owners. A similar program awards dollars to the children of Foremost Farms' employees. All 2015 scholarship dollars, over $40,000 worth, has been raised by the efforts of cooperative employee and vendor-sponsored events.
Agricultural Education Scholarships are awarded to students who plan to enroll or are enrolled full-time in an undergraduate course of study at an accredited university, college or vocational technical institute for an agricultural-related degree program or short course. Recipients are selected on the basis of academic record, potential to succeed, involvement in dairy farm operations, leadership and participation in school and community activities, honors, work experience, statement of educational career goals and an outside appraisal. Here are the 2015 winners:
High School Winners:
Trent Dado is the son of Rick and Gwen Dado, Amery, Wis. Trent will graduate from Amery High School this spring and plans to enroll at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities to study animal science. Trent is a member of FFA and 4-H, is on the student council and is active in sports. He likes to fish, hunt and trap in addition to working on the family dairy farm. Trent expects to graduate from college in 2019.
Gretta Binversie is the daughter of Jay and Pamela Binversie, Kiel, Wis. Gretta will graduate from Kiel High School this spring and plans to study dairy science next fall at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Gretta is active in National Honor Society, track, cross country, basketball, Boomerang and is a member of her church mission group called "Optimistic Teens Impacting Society." Gretta plans to graduate college in 2019.
Bridget Dues is the daughter of Dan and Denise Dues, Coldwater, Ohio. Bridget will graduate this spring from Coldwater High School and plans to study mechanical/biomedical engineering at the University of Dayton. She is active in National Honor Society serving as Sergeant in Arms, 4-H, Key Club and is a class officer. She is also in the Leo Club, Student Council, FCCLA, FCA, basketball and track. She is a mass server and has earned the Kiwanis Academic Award, GAP Award and was a member of the Homecoming court. Bridget plans to graduate from Dayton in 2020.
Justin Hackman is the son of Dale and Bonnie Hackman, Fort Atkinson, Iowa. Justin will graduate from Turkey Valley Community School, Jackson Junction, Iowa, this spring and plans to study agricultural business at Iowa State University. He received the DeKalb Agricultural Accomplishment Award and is active in football, earning "All Academic" honors and named to the "First Team Offense District Football" squad. He also plays basketball and baseball, is in the Student Senate, National Honor Society, 4-H and FFA. He expects to graduate from college in 2019.
Luke Meffert is the son of Jeff and Ann Meffert, Waunakee, Wis. Luke will graduate from Waunakee High School this spring and plans to enroll nest fall at the University of Wisconsin-Madison to study dairy farm management. Luke has earned the FFA-Star Chapter Degree and high academic honors. He is involved in wrestling, hunting, snowmobiling, boating and fishing.
Nicole Pralle is the daughter of Scott and Pam Selz-Pralle, Humbird, Wis. Nicole will graduate from Osseo-Fairchild High School this spring and plans to attend the University of Wisconsin-Madison next fall to study dairy science. Nicole oversees the maternity and calf barn as a herdsperson on the family farm. She is also extremely active in FFA and her local 4-H club serving over the years as president, vice president, treasurer and secretary. She has received awards in dozens of contests involving cattle, sewing, leadership, crops and much more. Nicole has been captain of the Dairy Judging Team and is also in the district, state and national Jr. Holstein organization and has won numerous awards. In school she is active in People-to-People as a U.S. Youth ambassador traveling to the Mediterranean to serve. She is also involved in National Honor Society, forensics, student council, basketball, volleyball, FBLA, state vocal solo contests and has earned High Excellence in regional solo contests and is a regular soloist at sporting and community events. Nicole expects to graduate from college in 2020.
Ben Sosnovske is the son of Marty and Mary Sosnovske, Gleason, Wis. Ben will graduate this spring from Merrill High School and plans to study agricultural engineering and technology next fall at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls. Ben is a member of National Honor Society and is working on an FFA agri-science fair project to compare hydroponically grown lettuce to conventionally-grown lettuce. Ben also produced about 100 gallons of maple syrup in 2015 during the March and April season. He expects to graduate from college in 2019.
Travis Troendle is the son of Pat and Christine Troendle, Lanesboro, Minn. Travis plans to graduate from Lanesboro High School this spring and will study agricultural engineering at Iowa State University in the fall. He has been very active in FFA and currently serves as 2015-16 State Treasurer.
College Winners
Greta Heimerdinger is the daughter of Jim and Leanne Heimerdinger, Pearl City, Ill. Greta will be a sophomore next fall at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, pursuing a degree in agri-business. Greta is a former graduate of Pearl City High School. At UW-Platteville, she is active as a member of Alpha Lambda Delta and Phi Eta Sigma Freshman Honors Society. Greta is a member of the UW-Platteville Dairy Club and Farm Bureau Club. She has also been named to the Chancellor's list. Greta expects to graduate in 2018.
Gregg Krebsbach is the son of Gregg and Mindy Krebsbach, Stacyville, Iowa. Greg will be a sophomore next fall at North Iowa Area Community College in Mason City. He is a former graduate of St. Ansgar High School and has been active in 4-H, FFA including serving as an officer and earning his Iowa FFA Degree and Dairy Proficiency Award. He also won the FFA Leadership Award. He is also involved in Alpha Psi Beta. Greg plans to graduate in 2016.
5.6.2015