NOVI, Mich.–For 42 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.”
Nine MMPA scholarships were awarded to students enrolled in the Dairy Management program of the Institute of Agricultural Technology at MSU for the 2013-2014 school year.
Those students are:
Macy Cole works on her family’s dairy farm in Bancroft. She hopes to one day take over her family’s dairy and crop business or become a dairy nutritionist.
Emily Laeder hails from Harbor Beach and grew up on her family’s dairy farm. She hopes to manage or serve as a herdsman for a large dairy operation after graduation.
Allison Pung grew up in Westphalia on her family’s dairy farm. After completing the two-year program, she plans to pursue a four-year degree in agribusiness management.
Caleb Brown of Jonesville plans to pursue a four-year degree in agribusiness management and eventually work for his father’s company, First-Midwest Ag, after completing his two-year degree. He currently is employed by MMPA member Steve Denning.
Sawyer Johnson is from Lakeview and is employed by MMPA member Jeff Nielsen. His future aspirations include becoming a herdsman and making a positive impact on the Michigan dairy industry.
Andy Slocum is from Hastings where he is active as the sixth generation on his family’s dairy operation. Following graduation, Andy plans to return to his family farm and serve as the operation’s herdsman.
Kelvin Webster is from Elsie where he’s involved on his family’s 3,200-cow dairy operation and owns 40 head of his own. He plans to return to his grandfather’s farm after graduation.
Matthew Stanton is from Elkton and works for MMPA member Te Voortwis Dairy LLC. Following graduation, Matt plans on returning to the Te Voortwis Dairy as a fulltime employee with hopes of one day owning or operating his own dairy farm.
Jorin Ouwinga is from McBain where he works for MMPA member Daniel DeZeeuw helping manage the farm’s 120 cows. Jorin would like to move back to McBain, work full time for Dan DeZeeuw Dairy and start his own dairy after graduation.
MMPA is a member owned and controlled dairy cooperative serving over 2,000 dairy farmers in Michigan, Wisconsin, Ohio and Indiana.