CentralStar Cooperative’s Board of Directors, committed to supporting dairy and beef producers throughout the upper Midwest, proudly announces the recipients of $1,000 scholarships awarded to seven students pursuing agricultural degrees at colleges and technical schools.
“These scholarships reflect CentralStar’s dedication to fostering the future leaders of agriculture,” said Communication Specialist Dori Lichty. “We understand the critical role of investing in the education of young individuals committed to advancing the agricultural sector.” To be eligible, applicants needed to be children of cooperative member-stockowners and were asked to detail their active involvement and impactful experiences within the industry.
“The selection process required candidates to outline their dedication to agriculture through a series of five essay prompts,” Lichty explained. “These essays covered their contributions to the industry, community service, work experience, personal achievements, and future goals.”
The following students will receive $1,000 scholarships. Brianna Meyer is the daughter of Larry and Jennifer Meyer, Chilton, Wis. She is a student at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wis., studying pre-veterinary medicine. Majoring in agriculture technology, Amy Kern, Bridgeport, Mich., is currently a student at Delta College, University Center, Mich. Her parents are Kurt and Lynn Kern.
Hailing from Waterloo, Ind., Logen Brand, son of David and Kim Brand, will attend Purdue University, West Lafeyette, Ind., to pursue a career in plant genetics. Michael Schaal, Burlington, Wis., is a student at Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, majoring in agricultural studies. He is the son of Brian and Renee Schaal.
Hailey Zernicke, daughter of Derick and Amy Zernicke, Bonduel, Wis., is majoring in dairy science at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, Minneapolis, Minn. Studying agricultural business at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, River Falls, Wis., Connor Weltzien is the son of Keith and Karen Weltzien, Arcadia, Wis.
The final CentralStar scholarship, this year, was awarded in honor of recently-retired board member, Dorothy Harms, Reedsburg, Wis. The 21-year veteran of the CentralStar Board of Directors asked for the University of Wisconsin-Madison Association of Women in Agriculture to gift the one-time $1,000 scholarship in Harms’ honor to one of their members. Dairy science and life-science communication junior Natalie Roe is the recipient. Roe is the daughter of Dan and Sally Roe, Monticello, Wis.
CentralStar Cooperative is proud to support these talented individuals as they continue their educational journeys, helping to drive progress in the agriculture industry and foster growth in their communities.
CentralStar’s goal of enhancing producer profitability through integrated services 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.