Minnesota/Select Sires Honors Future
Leaders With $500 Scholarships
ST. CLOUD, Minn., May 1, 2004 — 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 four years ago. This year’s winners are: Michael Chamberlain, son of Mark and Shari Chamberlain, Pine Island, MN; Megan Kappers, daughter of Jim and Janet Kappers, Spring Valley; Andrew Sheehan, son of Robert and Jeannette Sheehan, Rochester, MN; and Erin Valenzuela, daughter of Annette Valenzuela and Robert Boster, Mora, MN.
Michael Chamberlain
On track to graduate with an Associates Degree in Dairy Management in May from Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC), Michael Chamberlain plans to return to the family farm to continue to build his registered Jersey and Holstein herd. Currently, he owns 14 cows and marketed two bulls this year. His roots reach deep in the dairy industry. Michael was raised on a dairy farm and has worked on three different types of dairies. In addition, Michael has been active in 4-H and FFA. He is a past president of both 4-H and FFA and is currently serving in that capacity at the Dairy Club of the community college. Michael has earned the State Farmer FFA degree and plans on receiving the American Farmer Degree at this year’s National FFA Convention. His keen interest in local cooperatives has him already serving on the Goodhue County DHIA Board. Attending NICC has allowed Michael to keep his future options open. He notes, "I feel it is a good insurance policy, in case I choose to change career paths sometime in my life" as the credits can be used to earn a Bachelors Degree. He concludes, "I feel that a good balance between education and experience are really the keys to success in life."
Megan Kappers
A sophomore at the University of Minnesota majoring in Agricultural Education with a specialization in Leadership, Training and Development, Megan Kappers would like to pursue a career in agricultural marketing. Growing up on a family farm in southeastern Minnesota, Megan spent evenings, weekends and summers helping her dad. Even now, Megan continues to find time to go home and help out whenever possible. She explains, "While other classmates dreamed of being doctors and lawyers, I wanted to farm." Megan loves to show cattle and has been involved in 4-H, FFA (serving as this year’s state secretary), Gopher Dairy Club, Collegiate Agri-Woman, and the Minnesota Junior Holstein Association. Megan notes, "My experiences as a state FFA officer have given me the opportunity to spread the message of agriculture to hundreds of students and businesspeople across the state of Minnesota."
Andrew Sheehan
Enrolled in the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences at the University of Minnesota, Andrew Sheehan has his sights set on a dairy industry career in marketing, research, or a production-related occupation. As a freshman, Andrew was not certain if he wanted to major in agriculture. But now as a junior, he knows that he wants "to use my knowledge and passion to obtain a career in the industry that I love." Andrew feels that the work ethic he learned on the family farm, his successful dairy cattle judging career, networking and education will help him find a career in the field of genetics or consulting. On the farm, Andrew enjoys the challenge of breeding quality cattle and was rewarded with Grand Champion honors at the Minnesota State Fair last year. In addition to being a member of the university dairy judging team, Andrew has been an agricultural ambassador, fraternity chaplain, dean’s scholar, and active in the Gopher Dairy Club as well as Block and Bridle. Last summer, he was a University of Minnesota-Extension Service Agricultural Intern. Andrew has also served as the reporter, secretary, and state show co-chairman for the Minnesota Junior Holstein Association.
Erin Valenzuela
Interested in cattle nutrition and animal genetics, Erin Valenzuela is working towards her goal of a career in the cattle feeding industry. From the small community of Mora where her family has a dairy, Erin’s "love for the cattle industry started young in life, and grew much stronger" the older she became. Currently a junior in Animal Science at the University of Wyoming, Erin first earned her Associates of Science Degree in Animal Science at the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture and interned at both the USDA Meat and Animal Research Center and the North Platte Feeders. She notes, "My main goal in life is to make a difference in the world of agriculture." Erin firmly believes in fighting for the future of rural America by explaining the world of agriculture to those who will listen and trying to open people’s minds and hearts to help support the efforts. Erin is determined to "make a large difference in the livelihood of agriculture and the cattle industry."
If you’re interested in next year’s scholarships, applications are due October 31, 2004. 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 at 800-795-1233 or mnselect@mnss.coop.
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