NOVI, Mich.–For 41 years, Michigan Milk Producers Association (MMPA) has sponsored scholarships for MMPA members, their children and employees enrolled in the Agricultural Technology Dairy Management program at Michigan State University (MSU). The scholarships are based on academics, involvement in the dairy industry and letters of recommendation.
MMPA invests over $20,000 in scholarship programs each year helping young people pursuing a career in the dairy industry.
“We make substantial investments in scholarship and leadership programs because we believe these young people are the future of the dairy industry,” says Ken Nobis, dairy farmer from St. Johns and MMPA president. “The dairy industry has a bright future in this state. We want to encourage young people to explore careers in this industry.”
Eight MMPA scholarships were awarded to students enrolled in the Dairy Production Program of the Institute of Agricultural Technology at MSU for the 2012- 2013 school year.
Those students are:
Brent Bebow is from Alma where he is active in his family’s dairy operation. Following graduation, he would like to take over the family’s dairy and cash crop farm. Taran Hooks, from Breckenridge, works on his family’s dairy operation. After graduation, he plans to return to his family’s farm.
Jorin Ouwinga is from McBain where he works for Daniel DeZeeuw helping manage the farm’s 128 cows. He would like to move back to McBain and start his own dairy after graduation.
Malissa Reed is involved with her family’s 340 cow dairy farm in Owosso. After graduation, she plans to return home to her family’s dairy farm where she would like to start a registered herd focusing on genetics.
Andy Slocum is from Hastings where he is active as the sixth generation on his family’s 180-cow dairy operation. Following graduation, Andy plans to return to his family farm and hopes to expand the farm operation.
Matthew Stanton is from Elkton and works for Te Voortwis Dairy LLC. Following graduation from the Ag Tech program, Matt plans on returning to the Te Voortwis Dairy as a fulltime employee.
Kelvin Webster is in the first year of the dairy program at MSU. He is from Laingsburg where he is involved on his family’s dairy operation in Elsie, Michigan. Kelvin plans to return to his grandfather’s farm after graduation.
Brittney Zondlak is employed by MMPA member Tim Baker in Byron Center where they milk 75 cows. She hopes to transfer into the Agribusiness Management program following graduation from the Ag Tech Dairy program and return to Baker’s farm.
MMPA is a member owned and controlled dairy cooperative serving over 2,000 dairy farmers in Michigan, Wisconsin, Ohio and Indiana.