South Dakota State University

Introducing Our 2016 Ag Scholarship Recipients

The AgVenture Pinnacle Team is proud to introduce this amazing group of future leaders in their fields of study.  We’re excited to support these rural area youth as they work toward achieving their education and career goals.

Meet our 2016 scholarship recipients!

 $1,000 “A Great Hand in Farming” Ag Scholarship

Hunter EvensonHunter Evenson - Ag Scholarship


Hometown:
 Olivia, MN

College: Southeast Tech
Sioux Falls, SD

Major: HUAC
(Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning)

Career Goal: Hunter plans to graduate college and find a job in his field of study.

Connection to Agriculture: Hunter is an active member of the FFA and believes it played a big part in making him who he is today. He explains, “FFA has been meaningful to me because it taught me that there are so many more aspects to life than I see in my day-to-day life, to respect others and to always be thankful for what I have.”

$500 “A Great Hand in Farming” Ag Scholarship

Autumn Kay UlmerAutumn - Ag Scholarship


Hometown:
 Fullerton, ND

College: University of Jamestown

Major: Nursing

Career Goal: After graduating from the University of Jamestown with a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing, Autumn plans on starting her career. Her goal is to provide the best possible care to her patients.

Connection to Agriculture: 4-H is just one of the many activities that Autumn participates in, she is also a Sunday School Teacher. She’s proud to be raised in a rural area. “Agriculture is everything to me and my family. I can thank the farming world for everything I own and my morals.”

$2,000 Andy McNamara Scholarship

Austin TersteegAustin - Ag Scholarship


Hometown:
Olivia, MN

College Plans: Iowa State University

Major: Ag Business/Commodity Marketing

Career Goal: Austin plans to take advantage of the hundreds of available internships offered by Iowa State University before returning to Olivia, Minnesota area to start his own business.

Connection to Agriculture: Austin is an active member of FFA and the St Mary’s Parish, he sites both as playing a large part in his personal and career development. He explains how he’s been greatly influenced by agriculture and why he plans on returning to the area, ” I have been given the opportunity to grow up on a farm, raise cattle, bale hay, work in the field and be a part of FFA. This is all possible through our strong ag community, as well as my family.”

$1,000 Andy McNamara Scholarship

Kayla - Ag ScholarshipKayla Kutzke

Hometown: Lake Lillian, MN

College: South Dakota State University

Major: Agriculture Education/Precision Agriculture

Career Goals: Kalya plans to to use her degree to obtain a job as a high school ag teacher in an existing ag education program and later move on to start an ag education and FFA program in an inner-city or rural private school.

Connection to Agriculture: Kayla is a very active member of the FFA, 4H and local/state fair programs. She is an honor student and is also active in many other organizations. Kayla says that FFA is the most important organizations she’s been a part of and has had many accomplishments. She tells us about one of the many special things she’s been a part of, “Over the past two years, I have been a part of the CHS Miracle Birthing Center at the Minnesota State Fair, where I was able to share my agriculture story with the public.”

Congrats & Best Wishes

Congratulations to Hunter, Autumn, Austin and Kayla. We wish you all the best in your bright future.

AgVenture Pinnacle Team is passionate about helping rural graduates in advancing their education and developing their future careers!  Please continue to visit www.avpinnacle.com for 2017 scholarship information.

Meet the 2015 Corn Capital Innovations Scholarship Recipients

The Corn Capital Innovations Team is proud to introduce this wonderful group of future agriculture leaders.  We’re excited to support these rural area youth as they work toward achieving their agricultural career goals.

So, without further ado, meet our 2015 scholarship recipients!

 $1,000 “A Great Hand in Farming” Ag Scholarship

Paige PlassPaige Plass

Hometown: Hector, MN

College: South Dakota State University

Major: Animal Science/Pre-Vet

Career Goal: Paige plans to become a Veterinarian specializing in equine and practicing on both large and small animals.

Connection to Agriculture: Paige has been a member of 4-H for 7 years and began horse judging at the state level in the sixth grade. “4-H has been so important in my development as a person, in my qualities and skills, and in my future career path plans,” Paige told us. She also volunteered as a riding lesson instructor for a program called “Wish I Had a Horse”. She remembers, “It was one of the best things I‘ve ever done because I could see how much of a difference I was making in each kids’ life.” Paige plans to continue giving riding lessons in the future, and aspires to become a veterinarian.

$500 “A Great Hand in Farming” Ag Scholarship

Cody O'HalloranCody O’Halloran

Hometown: Olivia, MN

College: University of Minnesota, Morris

Major: Pre-Veterinary Science

Career Goal: After attending the University of Minnesota, Morris, Cody’s goal is to be accepted at a College of Veterinary Medicine and later open his own clinic and provide a service in his community.

Connection to Agriculture: Cody is an active member of the FFA and and was Vice President of this chapter. “FFA has given me so many great learning opportunities and memories. It has taught me leadership skills and how to be a great public speaker,” Cody shared. FFA actually helped Cody choose a career path. He explains, “My sophomore year, I participated in the Small Animals contest. I enjoyed learning about the different breeds of house pets and the medical care they may need for the diseases they may catch. I never would of thought of becoming a Veterinarian if it wasn’t for FFA.”

$2,000 Andy McNamara Scholarship

Daniel RokerDaniel Roker

Hometown: Bird Island, MN

College Plans: South Dakota State University

Major: Animal or Agricultural Science

Career Goal: Daniel is pursuing a career as an Ag Nutritionist. A career that allows him to live in a rural community, work in the Ag industry, give back to his local community, and help promote the industry as a whole.

Connection to Agriculture: Daniel is a member of 4-H and was on the FFA Chapter Officer Team. He shares his experiences, “I have been able to make many friends and learn life lessons from these organizations. They pushed me to be a good leader and mentor.” Daniel would like to work with the 4-H and FFA organizations as part of his career because they taught him so much and gave him many opportunities.

$1,000 Andy McNamara Scholarship

Christopher McRellChristopher McRell

Hometown: Olivia, MN

College: North Dakota State University

Major: Ag. Systems Management/Agribusiness

Career Goals: Christopher plans to finish college with multiple agricultural degrees and return to the Olivia area. Later in life, he wants to start his own business and bring more jobs to Renville County giving back to the community that shaped who he is today.

Connection to Agriculture: Christopher is a member of the BOLD High School FFA. During his FFA years he’s held several offices and participated in many contests at the region and state level. He shares how FFA helped connect him to his community and plan for his future, “Being in FFA helped me meet individuals in my rural area through volunteering. These people taught me many things about the industry of agriculture that I wouldn’t have learned without them. FFA helped me create a business out of a hobby!”

$1,000 CCI Innovation in Agriculture Scholarships

Brian Prchal

Hometown: New Prague, MN

College: South Dakota State University

Major: Agricultural Engineering & Mechanical Engineering.

Connection to Agriculture: Brian has participated in national 4-H experiences and is on a team competing in Minnesota 4-H’s Science of Agriculture Challenge. He has also served extensively with his local 4-H club and at the county level. Brian was part of the 4-H Science of Agriculture Challenge – Biodiesel Team and is featured in the video below!

This scholarship was offered through the Minnesota 4-H Foundation. Congratulations to the nine outstanding 4-H youth and alumni who were awarded a Minnesota 4-H Foundation’s 2015 scholarship.

Congrats & Best Wishes

We want to send out one last big congratulations to Paige, Cody, Daniel, Christopher and Brian. We are proud of your accomplishments and wish you all the best in your bright future.

Corn Capital Innovations is happy to support local graduates in advancing their careers!  If you are interested in a scholarship in 2016, please click here for scholarships information on our website!