Agriculture is an industry that relies on innovation, new research, high-performing tech and hardworking people with open minds willing to put it all to work. With one in five jobs in Iowa tied to agriculture, the next generation of farmers, agriculturists and researchers are needed to continue to drive and push Iowa ag forward. Iowa Farm Bureau Federation (IFBF) has awarded $1,000 scholarships to 179 of these emerging young leaders to support their continued ag education at their chosen university or college. 

 “Iowa Farm Bureau takes pride in the strength of our state’s agricultural backbone, and we are honored to support our youth across the state who want to continue that strong tradition,” says IFBF Community Resources Manager Ronnette Vondrak.  “Since 1997 we’ve awarded nearly 1,200 scholarships to help students pursue their education, and we know these students have gone on to become agronomists, livestock nutritionists, seed geneticists, grain merchandisers and more.” 

In addition to the 179 IFBF scholarship recipients (54 first-time recipients and 125 renewable scholarships), Malorie Probasco of Davis County received the Daniel Johnson Memorial Scholarship, awarded in honor of the late Daniel Johnson, a former Iowa Farm Bureau director, farmer, volunteer firefighter and school board president. This one-time $500 award is reserved for a student from one of eleven counties in southeast Iowa: Keokuk, Washington, Louisa, Muscatine, Wapello, Jefferson, Henry, Des Moines, Davis, Van Buren and Lee.

Jordyn Salter of Wapello County was named the recipient of the Edward W. and Isabelle M. Klodt Memorial Scholarship, a one-time $500 award for a Wapello County student pursuing a degree in agriculture. The Klodts were community leaders, progressive farmers and conservationists focused on the future and improving their farm and community. The memorial scholarship embodies the values of leadership, hard work, dedication to others and a belief in higher education that Ed and Isabelle represented. 

Six graduating high school seniors or students currently enrolled in secondary education from each of IFBF’s nine districts were selected to receive a first-time Farm Bureau scholarship.  These 54 scholarships were awarded to children of Farm Bureau members who plan to or currently attend an accredited college, university or community college to earn two- or four-year degrees, and applicants were asked to write an essay on the contributions they expect to make to agriculture and their rural communities through their studies. Selections were made based on academic achievement, financial need, community and extracurricular involvement and letters of recommendation. Students are eligible to renew the scholarships for up to four years by being a student of good standing and maintaining a minimum grade point average of 2.5.

FIRST-TIME SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS (Hometown, Student, Parents, University/College)

Ackley, Jaiden Shahan, Shawn Shahan and Billie Jo Shahan, Iowa State University

Adel, Seth Entriken, Wade and Brenda Entriken, Iowa State University

Albia, Lauren Kaldenberg, Tim and Cindy Kaldenberg, Iowa State University

Beaman, Abby Feldpausch, Brian and Jen Feldpausch, Iowa State University

Bedford, Emma Lucas, Joseph and Jane Lucas, Kansas State University

Bellevue, Miranda Peters, Charles and Jennifer Peters, Iowa State University

Birmingham, Catherine Lowe, Scott and Cindy Lowe, Drake University

Bloomfield, Grace Fleming, Chad and Mitzi Fleming, Simpson College

Bondurant, Lydia Johnson, Craig and Katie Johnson, Iowa State University

Britt, Marissa Eekhoff, Ryan and Lori Eekhoff, Iowa State University

Calamus, Brian Forret, Lori Forret and the late Chris Forret, Iowa State University

Cedar Falls, Nathan Eggena, Joan Eggena, Montana State University

Chariton, Noah Offenburger, Andy and Brenda Offenburger, Des Moines Area Community College

Cherokee, Dustin Kohn, Gerard and Donna Kohn, South Dakota State University

Clarion, Cole Lindaman, Benjamin and Erica Lindaman, Central College

Climbing Hill, Gracia Widman, Matt and Jodi Widman, Dordt University

Cresco, Wyatt Curtis, Gregory Curtis, Iowa State University

Danville, Lauren Beckman, Steve and Teri Beckman, Kirkwood Community College

Davenport, Chloe Engelbrecht, Corey and Erin Engelbrecht, Iowa State University

Denison, Maggie Chapman, Gayle Chapman, Iowa State University

Duncombe, Halle Mason, Trent and Angela Mason, Iowa State University

Gilman, Carson Burchland, Aaron and Lanise Burchland, Iowa State University

Greenfield, Mallory Kuhns, Matthew and Denise Kuhns, Iowa State University

Hastings, Emma Seipold, Bret and Karen Seipold, Iowa State University

Hedrick, Kylie Noel, Michael and Stacie Noel, University of Northern Iowa

Holstein, Katlyn Wiese, Jan and Shane Wiese, Northwestern College

Holy Cross, Adam Schmitt, Jeff and Linda Schmitt, Iowa State University

Honey Creek, Grace Borgaila, David and Jennifer Borgaila, Iowa State University

Honey Creek, Ryan Genereux, Mike and Sheryl Genereux, Iowa State University

Inwood, Lydia Lee, Scott and Jennifer Lee, Iowa State University

Jesup, Hans Riensche, Benjamin and Lisa Riensche, Iowa State University

Keota, Sophie Bell, Lance and Kerri Bell, Iowa State University

Lacona, Lane Dittmer, Jaren and Dana Dittmer, Iowa State University

Lake Mills, Katelyn Groe, Steve Groe and Melissa Groe, Iowa State University

Monmouth, Brett Schoenherr, Jennifer Schoenherr and the late Randal Schoenherr, University of Wisconsin-Platteville

Montrose, Abbigail Johnson, Jeremy and April Johnson, University of Iowa

Moville, Sarah Nelson, Eric and Carol Nelson, Iowa State University

Murray, Kendra Boles, Kurt and Diane Nish, Ellsworth Community College-IA Valley

Neola, Jonathon Franke, Quintin Franke, Grand View College

Northwood, Peyton Pangburn, Donald and Bryn Pangburn, Columbia University in New York City

Osceola, Marshall Curnes, Kelly and Jill Curnes, University of Iowa

Parkersburg, Diana Mulder, Gaylen and Carla Mulder, Iowa State University

Plainfield, Kollyn Lentz, Patrick and Brittney Lentz, Hawkeye Community College

Pocahontas, Deanne Ekstrand, Dean and Deb Ekstrand, University of Northern Iowa

Primghar, Emily Chicoine, Carol Chicoine, Morningside College

Randolph, Colton Moore, Trent and Amanda Moore, Iowa State University

Red Oak, Easton Hultman, Brett and Danis Hultman, Iowa State University

Remsen, Skylar Waldschmitt, Rick and Angie Waldschmitt, Iowa State University

Rock Valley, Sarah Rosgaard, Joel and Jean Rosgaard, Dordt University

Roland, Jake Sterle, Steve and Jodi Sterle, Iowa State University

Tipton, Britney Ford, Nolan and Julie Ford, Iowa State University

Tipton, Charli Mosier, Scott and Lisa Mosier, Iowa State University

Waucoma, Abraham Schmitt, Greg and Sara Schmitt, University of Northern Iowa

Weldon, Riley Bell, Lance and Heidi Bell, Iowa State University