FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Steve Pooch, Secretary MLBA, 651-323-4210
2012 MINNESOTA LIVESTOCK BREEDERS ASSOCIATION SCHOLARSHIPS
Listed in alphabetical order by county, here are the 2012 recipients of the Minnesota Livestock Breeders Association Scholarship. Scholarships are awarded to 4-H youth for excellence in leadership, community involvement, and a strong commitment to today’s agriculture. The scholarships awarded to the youth listed below are in the amount of $1,000. Each award is made possible through the generous gift of a sponsor and matched though proceeds of the 4-H Purple Ribbon Auction. A record of 110 applicants and 23 scholarships were awarded.
Brent Meshke, Blue Earth County
Meshke is a freshman at South Dakota State University and plans to pursue a degree in Ag Education. He would like to teach Ag Education while continuing to grow his sheep flock and community develop projects, as they will help provide hands-on learning opportunities for his future students. His parents are Blake and Sheryl Meshke.
Maxwell Herrera, Carver County
Maxwell is a junior at the University of Iowa – Iowa City and plans to pursue a degree in Biology. After the completion of his degree, he would like to attend a Master’s program at the University of Minnesota or Iowa State University, studying Veterinary Medicine for production livestock. His parents are Anton and Deborah Herrera.
Blair Tostenson, Chippewa County
Blair started his 4-H career with swine and has now shown for 12 years. For six of those years, he has participated at the Minnesota State Fair. He has participated in the showmanship contest twice. He is a sophomore at the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities and plans to pursue a degree in Animal Science. He is the son of Bob and Jen Tostenson.
Paige Bourne, Chippewa County
Bourne is a freshman at South Dakota State University and plans to pursue a degree in Animal Science. She believes that college is the stepping stone into the real world that awaits her, as she has heard that some of life’s best lessons are learned in college. Her parents are Randy and Jan Bourne.
Laura Schoneman, Cottonwood County
Schoneman started her 4-H career with a beef project. Through years of experience, she has learned proper livestock health and handling techniques. She is a sophomore at South Dakota State University studying Animal Science and Agronomy and plans to pursue a Masters degree in Ruminant Nutrition. Her parents are Nanno and Kathy Schoneman.
Sara Devitt, Dakota County
Devitt started her 4-H career with the sheep project, where she has actively volunteered ever since. She has shown sheep at the Minnesota State Fair since 2007, and has participated in Lamb Lead. She is a freshman at the University of Wisconsin - Madison and plans to pursue a degree in Agriculture and Applied Economics. Her parents are Pat and Stacy Devitt.
Janna Sorg, Dakota County
Sorg started her 4-H career showing dairy. She enjoys showing both dairy and beef and says that she is thankful for the experiences that 4-H has given her. She is a sophomore at the University fo Minnesota – Twin Cities and plans to pursue a degree in Animal Science with a Pre-Vet emphasis. Her parents are William and Juanita Sorg.
Isaiah Bauck, East Ottertail County
Bauck started his career in the sheep project, as his family has been raising sheep for years. He is a sophomore at North Dakota State University and plans to pursue a degree in Agricultural Education. He states that agriculture has been a huge part of his life, and he wants to be a great mentor to the kids in his future classroom. He is the son of Duane and Sarah.
Jeff Neil, Goodhue County
Neil started his 4-H career showing dairy, but has expanded his experience showing sheep, goats, pigs, and beef. He has demonstrated leadership skills as a 4-H Ambassador, FFA member, and a variety of community service projects. He is a sophomore at North Dakota State University studying Ag Economics. His parents are David and Ruth Neil.
Richell Mehus, Houston County
Mehus started her 4-H career in the swine project. She acknowledges that caring for animals gives her a lot of responsibility and has learned how to produce a quality meat protein product for consumers. She is a freshman at University of Wisconsin – River Falls and plans to pursue a degree in Business. Her parents are Bryan and Joni Mehus.
Austin Liepold, Jackson County
Liepold has seen triumphs and failures in his livestock projects, but through hardwork and dedication he believes he excels when he is in the show ring. He is a freshman at the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities and plans to pursue a degree in Ag Business. His parents are Larry and Jill Liepold.
Evan Koep, Jackson County
Koep started his 4-H career raising and showing market sheep and market swine. He is a sophomore at South Dakota State University and plans to pursue a degree in Microbiology and Biotechnology. He plans to use both of his degrees to pursue a career in the animal pharmaceutical industry, where he would like to earn a job that would allow him to partake in research and development. His parents are Larry and Cindy Koep.
Adam Munsterteiger, Kanabec County
Munsterteiger has been actively involved in both the beef and swine projects throughout his 4-H career. He is a freshman at the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities and plans to pursue a degree in Veterinary Medicine. After graduation, he plans to open his own practice or join his aunt and uncle’s practice, where he will be a large-animal vet. His parents are Duane and Sheila Munsterteiger.
Brittney Riebel, Le Sueur County
Riebel started showing goats and rabbits eight years ago with the guidance of a friend who was extremely active in livestock projects. Since then, she has participated in showmanship and interviews. She is a freshman at North Dakota State University and plans to pursue a degree in Agricultural and Biosystem Engineering. Her parents are Don and Margie Riebel.
Rachel Wilking, Lyon County
Wilking is ending her 4-H career with 13 years under her belt. During the 13 years, her main interest was raising and showing Suffolk sheep along with promoting the wool industry. She is a sophomore at South Dakota State University and plans to pursue a degree in Animal Science, with an Pre-Vet emphasis. Her parents are David and Kathy Wilking.
Miranda Lemke, McLeod County
Lemke has raised and shown poultry for seven years. She believes that becoming involved in livestock before entering the 7th grade was one of the best decisions of her life. She is a sophomore at the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities and plans to pursue a degree in Animal Science with a Pre-Vet emphasis. Her parents are Jamie and Koreen Lemke.
Lane Giess, Morrison County
Giess started his 4-H career with active involvement in the beef project. He is a sophomore at Kansas State University studying Animal Science with an emphasis on Biotechnology. He would possibly like to continue his education with a Master’s of Education and pursue a career in the livestock industry, specializing in beef cattle. His parents are Dar and Lynn Giess.
Sara Roerick, Morrison County
Roerick started her 4-H career with rabbits. This allowed her to prepare for showing a larger animal, which eventually led to her participation with the dairy cattle project. She is a freshman at University of Minnesota – Twin Cities and plans to pursue a degree in Animal Science, with a Pre-Vet emphasis. Her parents are Roger and Diane Roerick.
Brooke Fenske, Olmsted County
Fenske started her 4-H career with the swine project and has raised and shown swine at fairs for the last 14 years. Over the years, she has gained an appreciation for the genetics and breeding of her livestock projects. She is a freshman at Creighton University and plans to pursue a degree in biology or chemistry and then pursue medical school. Her parents are Scott and Darci Fenske.
Kyle Borst, Olmsted County
Borst is completing his 4-H career with experience in the dairy, beef, rabbit, and swine projects. He was active on the dairy judging and rabbit judging teams. He is a sophomore at the University of Wisconsin – River Falls and plans to pursue a degree in Agriculture Studies. He would like to be a positive role model for young students and encourage them to pursue a career in Agriculture. His parents are Matthew and Julie Borst.
Jaclyn Dingels, Redwood County
Dingels started her 4-H career in the lamb project. Through her growth and experience in the program, she has now started her own business. She states that owning a business has been a challenge, but it is rewarding as she is more sure that she wants to be an Animal Science professional. She is pursuing her Animal Science degree at the University of Minnesota –Twin Cities, where she is a currently a sophomore. Her parents are Steven and Pat Dingels.
Samantha Berg, Pipestone County
Berg started her 4-H career showing beef, sheep, swine, and poultry. She is a sophomore at South Dakota State University and plans to pursue a degree in Dairy Manufacturing. She believes that her college education will teach her the practices that best utilize technology to increase efficiency and production to develop new products and provide a healthy food supply to the world. Her parents are Philip and Laurel Berg.
Austin Davis, Wright County
Davis started his 4-H career in the dairy project, participating in various other dairy project learning events. Throughout the years, he has taken pride in all of the work he has done on the dairy judging team, and he has be honored as a regional project bowl champion and reserve champion two consecutive years in a row. He is a freshman at the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities studying Applied Plant Science with plans to obtain his degree after college on his family’s dairy farm, where he will implement new technology for growing crops. His parents are Loring and Carol Davis.
Friday, August 24, 2012 from the Minnesota State Fair