WAUPUN, Wis., Aug. 17, 2026 – In continued support of the next generation of agriculture professionals, CentralStar Cooperative’s Board of Directors is awarding $1,000 scholarships to seven students pursuing agricultural degrees at a variety of colleges.
“The CentralStar Board of Directors Scholarship Committee is proud to recognize students who are passionate about agriculture and committed to its future,” said Communication Specialist Dori Lichty. “By investing in these students, our member-stockowner board of directors is helping support the long-term strength and sustainability of the dairy and beef industries.”
To be eligible, applicants had to be children of CentralStar member-stockowners and demonstrate active involvement in agriculture. As part of the application, students responded to five essay prompts addressing their contributions to the industry, community involvement, work experience, personal achievements, and future goals.
The following students will receive $1,000 scholarships.
Melissa Johnson, Daggett, Michigan, is the daughter of Dennis and Sara Johnson. She is a student at Dordt University in Sioux Center, Iowa, studying agriculture business and accounting. Hailing from Waunakee, Wisconsin, Mara Endres will attend the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities in St. Paul, Minnesota, studying animal science and agricultural- and environmental-science communication. Her parents are Randall and Karen Endres.
A student at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, Oklahoma, Zoe Van Rijn is studying animal science and agricultural communication. Her parents are Dick and Jamie Van Rijn of Deford, Michigan. Drew Butzler, Rockland, Wisconsin, is the son of Nick and Jennifer Butzler. He will attend the University of Wisconsin-Madison in Madison, Wisconsin, to study dairy- and food-animal management. Grace Clark is in her last year at University of Wisconsin-Platteville in Platteville, Wisconsin, where she is finishing up education in agribusiness marketing and communication. Grace is from Rosendale, Wisconsin, and is the daughter of Travis and Janet Clark.
The son of Brad and Tonia Ritter of Byron, Michigan, Bryce Ritter is enrolled in the dairy-management program at Michigan State University, Lansing, Michigan. Luke de Jong, Hickory Corners, Michigan, is the son of Bastiaan and Laura de Jong. He will be a freshman at Dordt University pursuing agribusiness.
CentralStar Cooperative is honored to support these driven students as they pursue their education, contribute to the advancement of agriculture, and strengthen the rural communities they call home.
CentralStar’s mission of enhancing producer profitability through integrated solutions for mutual success is fulfilled by incorporating an array of products and services critical to dairy-and-beef-farm prosperity. CentralStar’s product and service offerings include Accelerated Genetics, GenerVations, and Select Sires genetics; extensive artificial-insemination (A.I.) technician service; genetic, reproduction, and dairy-records consultation; DHI services; diagnostic testing; herd-management products; research and development; and more.
CentralStar’s administration and warehouse facilities are located in Lansing, Mich., and Waupun, Wis., with laboratories in Grand Ledge, Mich., and Kaukauna, Wis. The cooperative serves dairy and beef producers throughout Wisconsin, Michigan, and Indiana, with additional DHI territory in various surrounding states.
For more information, visit CentralStar Cooperative Inc. at www.mycentralstar.com.