2015 DFA Cares Foundation Scholarships

DFA-4C-Centered-logo
DFA-4C-Centered-logo

Dairy Farmers of America recognizes the importance of developing future leaders in the dairy industry and is committed to investing in their education. Since its inception eight years ago, the DFA Cares Foundation Scholarship has grown to honor an increasing number of outstanding students who are pursuing careers in the dairy industry.

Selection criteria include a commitment and passion for a career in the dairy industry; extracurricular activities, awards and work experience; and academic achievement. This year, DFA’s scholarship committee identified a record 50 recipients who will receive a combined total of $48,500.

Precollege students
• Christy Achen, Aberdeen, S.D., planning to attend Purdue University and major in agribusiness
• Casey Baxter, Columbia Cross Roads, Pa., planning to attend Pennsylvania State University and major in veterinary and biomedical science
• Krystal Burger, Adams, N.Y., planning to attend Morrisville State College and major in animal science–dairy
• Maura Butler, Seneca, Mo., planning to attend Missouri State University and major in agriculture education
• AnnaMarie Condon, Horicon, Wis., planning to attend Iowa State University and major in agronomy
• Josh Dransfield, Gap Mills, W.Va., planning to attend West Virginia University or Virginia Tech and major in animal science, agronomy or dairy science
• Alexandra Gambonini, Petaluma, Calif., planning to attend California Polytechnic State University and major in dairy science
• Ella Jackson, DeGraff, Ohio, planning to attend Ohio State University and major in animal science
• Marissa Koller, Mondovi, Wis., planning to attend University of Wisconsin-River Falls and major in accounting
• Katie Kovalaske, Waterloo, Wis.,planning to attend University of Wisconsin-River Falls and major in dairy science and preveterinary medicine
• Morgan Krause, Buffalo, Minn., planning to attend University of Minnesota-Twin Cities and major in agriculture education
• Jacob Lenz, Prairie Home, Mo., planning to attend Missouri University of Science and Technology and major in mechanical engineering
• Tyler Marotz, Mead, Neb., planning to attend University of Nebraska-Lincoln and major in agriculture economics
• Stephanie McBath, Schuylerville, N.Y., planning to attend Cornell University and major in animal science
• Ryan Meyer, Hanover, Kan., planning to attend Southeast Community College and major in agriculture business and management technology
• Jay Moon, Buckhead, Ga., planning to attend University of Georgia and major in agriculture education and dairy science
• Ryan Nelson, Washington, Kan., planning to attend Kansas State University and major in agribusiness
• Abigail Peterson, Loleta, Calif., planning to attend Mississippi State University and major in animal and dairy science with a production concentration
• Sabrina Portner, Sleepy Eye, Minn., planning to attend Iowa State University and major in dairy science
• Arthur Schneider, Hermann, Mo., planning to attend Missouri University of Science and Technology and major in mechanical engineering
• Katie Sondericker, Attica, N.Y., planning to attend Pennsylvania State University and major in animal science
• Hollie Tefteller, Gilmer, Texas, planning to attend Tarleton State University and major in animal science
• Case Vanderlei, Amherst, Texas, planning to attend Texas A&M and major in agribusiness
• Rasten Yeates, Brigham, Utah, planning to attend Utah State University and major in agriculture business
• Dakota Zapalac, La Grange, Texas, planning to attend Texas A&M University or Oklahoma State University and major in large animal veterinary medicine

Undergraduate students
• Annie Achen, Aberdeen, S.D., attends Purdue University, majoring in agricultural business–food marketing
• Kaleb Bateman, Elberta, Utah, attends Utah Valley Universe, majoring in biology
• Lora Berning, Sidney, Ohio, attends Wright State University Lake Campus, majoring in agriculture business
• Kylie Bos, Marion, Mich., attends Saginaw Valley State University, majoring in finance and management
• Derek Donnelly, Hager City, Wis., attends University of Wisconsin-Madison, majoring in agricultural and applied economics and dairy science
• Amber Gabel, Newport, Pa., attends Pennsylvania State University, majoring in animal science
• Francesca Gambonini, Petaluma, Calif., attends California Polytechnic State University, majoring in dairy science
• Madelaine Giebler, Neosho, Mo., attends Crowder College, majoring in nutrition
• Connor Jackson, Waco, Texas, attends Oklahoma State University, majoring in agribusiness
• Riley Lewis, LaGrange, Ind., attends Purdue University, majoring in agricultural economics
• Abigail Martin, Janesville, Wis., attends University of Wisconsin-Madison, majoring in dairy science
• Bridget Moore, Sears, Mich., attends Michigan State University, majoring in animal science
• Maria Jo Noble, Gillett, Pa., attends Morrisville State College, majoring in agricultural business
• Morgan Richard, Elton, La., attends Louisiana State University, majoring in animal, dairy and poultry science
• Audrey Schmitz, Axtell, Kan., attends Kansas State University, majoring in agriculture communications and journalism and animal sciences and industry
• Austin Schmitz, Axtell, Kan., attends Kansas State University, majoring in biological and agricultural engineering
• Laura Schmuki, Navarre, Ohio, attends Ohio State University, majoring in animal biosciences
• Kyle Sollenberger, Spring City, Pa., attends Pennsylvania State University, majoring in animal science
• Bruce Wangsgard, Logan, Utah, attends Utah State University, majoring in agricultural business
• Rachel Wonderlich, Ollie, Iowa, attends Iowa State University, majoring in communication studies
• Karen Zijlstra, Godley, Texas, attends Tarleton State University, majoring in agribusiness

Graduate students
• Kayle Austin, Lamar, Colo., attending Colorado State University, majoring in large animal veterinary medicine
• Matthew Borchers, Lewistown, Ohio, attending University of Kentucky, majoring in dairy systems management
• Whitney Davis, Mountain Grove, Mo., attending University of Missouri, majoring in veterinary medicine
• Karmella Dolecheck, Twin Falls, Idaho, attending University of Kentucky, majoring in animal sciences
• Robyn Terrel, Honesdale, Pa., attending Virginia Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, majoring in veterinary medicine

Source: Dairy Farmers of America

 

Latest News

February Milk Production Report Shows Lackluster Numbers
February Milk Production Report Shows Lackluster Numbers

Comparing a leap year versus a non-leap year in 2023, February milk production was up 2.4%. However, on a per-day basis, production was down 1.1%. Milk cows totaled 9.3 million head, down 89,000 compared to a year ago.

APHIS Now Thinks Wild Birds Are to Blame for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza's Arrival on Four U.S. Dairies
APHIS Now Thinks Wild Birds Are to Blame for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza's Arrival on Four U.S. Dairies

The livestock industry continues to grapple with the first confirmed cases of HPAI in cattle, while federal and state agencies continue to assure consumers there's no concern about the safety of the U.S. milk supply.

Success is All in the Details at Kansas Dairy Development
Success is All in the Details at Kansas Dairy Development

Kansas Dairy Development provides temporary housing for up to 80,000 head of cattle — from a few days old to springers nearly ready to calve. Their formula for success is all in the details.

Skills Survey Reveals U.S. Agriculture & Food Industry Workforce Needs and Gaps
Skills Survey Reveals U.S. Agriculture & Food Industry Workforce Needs and Gaps

U.S. employers report challenges in finding suitable job candidates with work-ready skills to fill open roles in ag. The AgCareers.com U.S. Skills Survey offers insights, data and trends to address skill development.

Built Out of Love: How Two Sisters Created a Super-Fast-Growing Yogurt Company
Built Out of Love: How Two Sisters Created a Super-Fast-Growing Yogurt Company

Travel to the rolling hills of Pennsylvania, and you’ll meet Hayley and Stephanie Painter who not only made the Forbes 30 under 30 list, but have also created one of the fastest growing yogurt company in the U.S.

"Boring" Technology Will Reshape Dairy Over the Next 10 Years
"Boring" Technology Will Reshape Dairy Over the Next 10 Years

Once a technology becomes a boring experience it means it has become proven, well-adopted, and easy to utilize. There are three "boring" technologies silently shaping the industry.