Minnesota Select Sires Honors Future Leaders With $500 Scholarships
Investing in the agricultural leaders of tomorrow, Minnesota
Select Sires annually awards four $500 scholarships to deserving
youth. Continuing their tradition of giving back to their members,
the cooperative inaugurated the program three years ago. This
year’s winners are: Sarah Frederickson, daughter of Mark and
Mary Kay Frederickson, Starbuck, Minn.; Anthony Loken, son of Roy
and Dixie Loken, Rollingstone, Minn.; Jessica Lubitz, daughter of
Laren and Janice Lubitz, Perham, Minn.; and Trent Olson, son of
Jim and Beth Olson, Lewiston, Minn.
Sarah Frederickson
Sarah Frederickson’s long-term goal is to own her own consulting
firm and beef cow herd, and live in the country to raise a family.
Sarah attends the University of Minnesota majoring in Agriculture
Industries and Marketing with an emphasis on Animal and Meat Sciences.
She has been an active member of the U of M Agriculture Ambassadors,
Block and Bridle Club, FFA, Junior Hereford Association, Junior
Business Professionals of America and 4-H. As much as Sarah loves
the farm, she realizes the challenges that face agriculture. She
notes, "How blessed we are to live in America where farmers feed
us better, cheaper and safer than anywhere else in the world. If
I can, in some very small way, enable the family farm to continue
to be a part of the legacy for years to come, so others can share
in the farm life I love so much, I will feel very successful."
Anthony Loken
Focusing on Dairy technology at Northeast Iowa Community College
(NICC), Anthony Loken is passionate about the dairy industry. Dave
Lawstuen, Chair of Dairy Operations at NICC would like to clone
more students like Anthony and predicts, "He will be successful in
the dairy industry." Anthony has wanted to farm since he was little,
but admits that he just didn’t realize how complicated farming is.
Anthony says that it’s not a matter of if he will return to the home
farm but when he will. For now, Anthony is keeping all his career
options open, but knows the path he chooses will be involved with
agriculture. Thoroughly enjoying showing, fitting, judging and merchandising,
he already owns over one-third of the home herd. Anthony strongly believes
that "farmers need to work together as a team to market our products."
He feels that if farmers work together, they can receive more money
for their milk, grain and livestock.
Jessica Lubitz
While growing up on the farm, Jessica Lubitz developed a love of animals
that has taken her to a career in Veterinary Technology. She’ll be
graduating from Ridgewater College, Willmar, Minn. this spring. Hard
working, dependable, innovative and determined to succeed, Jessica
has been a valued employee of the Perham Co-op Creamery Country
Store for the last four years. Her responsibilities include assisting
a wide variety of customers from dairy producers to buffalo farmers
to pet owners with all their needs. Jessica also works in billing,
ordering supplies and scheduling deliveries. She has been very active
in FFA, earned the 2001 State FFA Degree and has applied for the
American FFA Degree. Her FFA Advisor and Instructor Arnold Rethemeier
recalls that Jessica was an "excellent student" and "effective leader."
Trent Olson
A sophomore at the University of Minnesota majoring in Animal
Production Systems with a Dairy Emphasis, Trent Olson purchased his
first calf when he was only 11 years old and now his first purchase
has 30 offspring. Today, his herd totals 59. In addition, he has
already had 10 A.I. bull contracts. Trent has been extremely involved
in 4-H, FFA, Minnesota Junior Holstein Association, Gopher Dairy Club
and Delta Theta Sigma, holding numerous offices. His honors include:
2003 Minnesota Distinguished Junior Holstein Member, 2002 National
FFA Dairy Production Entrepreneurship Proficiency Winner, 21 showmanship
awards and numerous judging honors. Trent plans on continuing to
merchandise and develop his herd of registered Holsteins. After college,
he may work for a genetics company for a few years before returning
home to farm.
If you’re interested in next year’s scholarships, applications are
due Oct. 31, 2003. To qualify, the applicant must be a family
member of a current Minnesota Select Sires member/customer and be
completing at least the first semester of your second year in a
two or four year program. You must submit an application, grade
transcripts and write an essay. For more information, contact Minnesota
Select Sires (800)795-1233.
Copyright 1996-2003 Select Sires Inc. Last updated 5-Apr-2003.
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