NCF accepting applications for CME beef scholarships DENVER, Colo. — The National Cattlemen’s Foundation is accepting applications for 2019-20 beef industry scholarships sponsored by CME Group. Ten scholarships of $1,500 each will be awarded to outstanding students pursuing careers in the beef industry. The CME Beef Industry Scholarship was first introduced in 1989. Today, the scholarship recognizes and encourages talented students who will each play an important role in the future of food production in America. Students studying education, communication, production, research or other areas related to the beef industry should consider applying for the scholarship. Applicants must submit a one-page letter expressing their career goals related to the beef industry. Students must also write a 750-word essay describing an issue in the beef industry and offering solutions to this problem. Applicants must be a graduating high school senior or full-time undergraduate student enrolled at a two- or four-year college. Online applications should be submitted by Nov. 9, at midnight Central Time. Scholarship winners will be announced during the 2019 Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show in New Orleans on Feb. 1. To apply, or learn more, visit www.nationalcattlemensfoundation.org National FFA names Agribusiness & Agriscience Star winners (mugs in 6440) INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — The National FFA Organization, at its recent national convention in Indianapolis, bestowed two American Star awards on Ben Curtin of the Taylorville FFA chapter in Illinois and Eric Koehlmoos of the South O'Brien FFA chapter in Paullina, Iowa, for Agribusiness and Agriscience, respectively. For Curtin, a crossroads of art and agriculture exists in his metalworking business. He started his supervised agricultural experience (SAE) and business, Curtin’s Creations, during his sophomore year of high school after some encouragement from his agricultural education teacher. Through Curtin’s Creations, the Purdue University student has made agricultural and home products such as farm/ranch signs, universal mounting plates for skid steer equipment and tractor grapples. Not many teenagers have an ethanol-producing facility in their basement, but for Koehlmoos, it was all part of his SAE. His idea sprung out of a science fair project for biology class. He looked at the ethanol industry and was curious if ethanol could be made from switchgrass and prairie cordgrass. He began his research, utilizing knowledge from his animal science class. "A cellulosic ethanol plant and a cow's rumen are two very, very similar things," he said. Now, as an agricultural education student at Kansas State University, Koehlmoos has participated in research with the Kansas FFA Agriscience Fair, evaluating how the fair can grow and how to deal with barriers that Kansas agricultural education teachers may deal with regarding the fair. Curtin’s future centers on agricultural mechanics and advancements in agricultural technology. “The ultimate goal is to strike out on my own as an entrepreneur and develop an innovative and groundbreaking ag product that revolutionizes the industry,” he said. His parents are Susan and Steve Curtin. His FFA advisors are Sue Schafer, Katie King and Elise Hackett. Koehlmoos said his goal is to be a high school agricultural education teacher and FFA advisor, using the skills he strengthened through his FFA and research experiences to help "spark some ideas in the next generation of agriculturists." He is the son of Lisa and Douglas Koehlmoos. His advisor is Eric Kumm. CoBank partners with FFA to support Living to Serve Platform DENVER, Colo. — CoBank announced a multiyear sponsorship of the National FFA Organization’s Living to Serve Platform. A commitment to service has always been a core tenet of FFA, and the Living to Serve platform supports that commitment by expanding engagement opportunities for FFA members at local, state and national levels. Through Living to Serve, FFA chapters throughout the country are able to seek funding for a variety of service learning projects through a competitive grant application process. CoBank’s three-year, $450,000 grant will support the continued expansion of this popular program, increasing the number of grants to FFA chapters seeking to address issues of: •Hunger, health and nutrition •Community engagement •Community safety •Environmental responsibility “CoBank and FFA share a strong commitment to service and support for our nation’s rural communities,” said Thomas Halverson, CoBank president and CEO. “Living to Serve is a tangible demonstration of that support. Through our sponsorship of this national program, we hope to enable more FFA members to live that commitment every day and to make a difference in the communities they call home.” In addition to Living to Serve projects at the state level, CoBank was a proud sponsor of National FFA Days of Service, which are part of the organization’s national convention. FFA members participated in a variety of service projects last week that put their leadership into action, creating a positive impact throughout the city. As well as its support of Living to Serve, CoBank also supports FFA through its contributions to Farm Credit’s community engagement programs. Farm Credit is an active supporter of FFA programs that are working to develop the next generation of farmers, ranchers and Farm Credit leaders. Deere provides community engagement grant to National FFA (photo in 6440) MOLINE, Ill. — To commemorate 75 years of partnership with the National FFA Organization, John Deere is providing a $75,000 contribution to the FFA Living to Serve Platform. The funds are in addition to the wide range of support for FFA activities already sponsored by Deere. Sam Allen, Deere & Co. chair and CEO, announced the contribution at the 91st National FFA Convention & Expo in Indianapolis, saying, “The Living to Serve Platform inspires FFA members to put leadership into action through service activities and prepare them to be responsible leaders in agriculture and many other professions in the future.” The Deere contribution provides support for FFA chapters to build stronger communities through various service projects that address environmental responsibility, hunger, health and nutrition, community safety and community engagement. Deere is the longest-running corporate sponsor of FFA and is celebrating that partnership with the grant and with the presentation of a time capsule containing 75 items donated by FFA members, reflecting the past, present and future of FFA, Deere and the ag industry. The time capsule will be retained at the National FFA headquarters in Indianapolis and opened by FFA members in 2093. Since it first made a $1,000 contribution in 1943, Deere has provided funds totaling more than $13 million to the National FFA. It sponsors a wide range of FFA activities, including a Deere dealer scholarship program, the farm business management career development competition and the international leadership seminar for state officers. THIS 1945 JOHN DEERE was presented to the company by FFA members during the organization's recent convention in Indianapolis. The tractor, restored by Indiana’s Delphi FFA, was presented to Deere officials on Oct. 25 to commemorate Deere’s 75 years of continued support of FFA. The antique was found at an auction earlier this year and procured by Schrader Real Estate and Auction Co. (represented by Vice President Roger Diehm, behind the tractor on the right) in conjunction with Going Global International. (Staff photo) Tractor Supply’s Paper Clovers raise nearly $2M for 4-H BRENTWOOD, Tenn. — Thousands of 4-H youth from across the country will experience valuable hands-on learning opportunities as a result of Tractor Supply’s Paper Clover Campaign. The biannual fundraiser, held in partnership with National 4-H Council, collectively raised $1,999,661 in 2018 through donations made with purchases in store and online. Most recently, Tractor Supply raised more than $1 million as a result of its Fall Paper Clover event from Oct. 3-14, marking the most successful fundraiser in the company’s history. Tractor Supply customers participated in Paper Clover by purchasing paper clovers – the emblem of 4-H – for a donation during checkout at stores nationwide or through purchases made online at TractorSupply.com Fundraising efforts from the Paper Clover event fund scholarships for numerous state-level 4-H programs nationwide, and every donation benefits youth within the state it was collected. Scholarships are used for camps and leadership conferences, where attendees learn everything from animal care and woodworking to networking practices and civic responsibility. “Thanks to our partnership with Tractor Supply Company, its team members and the communities it serves, Paper Clover provides more youth with opportunities to learn by doing, something that is vital to the development of their passions and interests,” said Jennifer Sirangelo, president and CEO of National 4-H Council. The 2018 Fall Paper Clover event rounds out the ninth year of the campaign. The fundraiser has collectively generated more than $14.9 million in essential funding to date. The campaign will return to Tractor Supply in the spring of 2019. For more information on the program, visit www.TractorSupply.com/4H |
