National Cattlemen taking applications for Farr scholarships

DENVER, Colo. — The National Cattlemen’s Foundation is accepting applications for the W.D. Farr Scholarships for the 2019-20 school year. Two annual $15,000 grants will be awarded to outstanding graduate students who demonstrate superior achievement in academics and leadership and are committed to beef industry advancement.

The awards will allow the students to further their study in fields that benefit the industry. The scholarship was established by the Foundation to honor the successful career of the late W.D. Farr. Farr, a third-generation Coloradan, pioneer rancher, statesman, and banker was known for his extraordinary vision.

Applicants should submit a cover letter, curriculum vitae, description of applicant’s goals and experience, and statement of belief in the industry, as well as a review of their graduate research and three letters of recommendation. Applications close at midnight MDT on Sept. 13.

All applications must be submitted online; for more information and to apply, visit www.nationalcattlemensfoundation.org

Hayes Scholarship goes to rising stars in sustainable ag

WASHINGTON, D.C. — In partnership with Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Related Sciences (MANRRS) and Southeastern African American Farmers’ Organic Network (SAAFON), the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC) presented scholarship awards to students committed to working on issues that affect black farmers.

Vanessa Garcia Polanco and Najma Muhammad of Michigan State University were each presented with Cynthia Hayes Memorial Scholarships in the amount of $1,000 to help further their work in sustainable agriculture and with communities of color. The scholarship’s namesake was SAAFON’s former director, a founder of the first network for African-American organic farmers in the U.S., and an inspirational force in the development of NSAC’s initiatives around racial equity in food and agriculture.

Polanco is an alumnus of the Food Solutions New England Network Leadership Institute and the University of Rhode Island, and is pursuing her graduate degree in the Department of Community Sustainability at MSU. As a woman of color immigrant from the Cibao Valley in the Dominican Republic, she brings her identity and experiences to inform her research and advocacy activities.

Muhammad was born and raised in Detroit, and had her first on-farm experience at 11 years old when she assisted with the building of a hoop house at D-town Farms. Her interest in agriculture was pushed forward by her involvement with her school’s after-school community gardening program and Earthworks Urban Farms. Her current academic path is in Urban Planning with a focus on social planning and food systems planning.

Five Purdue students chosen for agriculture scholarships

ROSE HILL, N.C. — Five Purdue University agriculture students are among 83 nationally awarded scholarships by Targeting Excellence, a nonprofit founded in 2013 aimed at supporting students in food and animal agriculture.

These students, ranging from graduate level to junior college, have shown their qualifications and ability to be leaders in agriculture and agribusiness for years to come.

More than $200,000 in scholarships were awarded in 2019, marking $1 million since Targeting Excellence awarded its first gifts in 2014. These students have gone to return to family farms, join Fortune 500 agribusiness companies and large-scale production systems, or be a part of their own agricultural startup.

Megan Hoover of Greensburg, Ind., is an animal science major studying to be a food animal veterinarian; Conor McCabe of West Linn, Ore., is also an animal science major who intends to pursue a Ph.D. in dairy cattle nutrition.

Miranda McGuire of Greentown, Ind., is an animal science major who intends to pursue research opportunities in the swine industry; Larissa Shirley of Springville, Ind., is majoring in animal science and will be attending graduate school, where she hopes to obtain a master’s degree in either swine reproduction or nutrition.

Tabitha Steckler of Ferdinand, Ind., is majoring in animal science and will be attending graduate school with a focus on dairy. She hopes to manage a farm or work with an animal agriculture company that allows her to interact with farmers on a daily basis.

Scholarships range in amounts from $1,000-$3,000 for students involved in agriculture-related majors. Targeting Excellence scholarships are be supported by annual contribution and fundraising events. To learn more, visit www.targetingexcellence.org

AFIA and FASS pick Spears as New Frontiers award winner

ARLINGTON, Va. — The American Feed Industry Assoc. and the Federation of Animal Science Societies are pleased to announce Jerry Spears, Ph.D., of North Carolina State University as the winner of the 2019 AFIA-FASS New Frontiers in Animal Nutrition Award.

Spears is a native of Kentucky and received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in animal science from the University of Kentucky. He holds a doctorate in animal nutrition from the University of Illinois, which he received in 1978. He joined the animal science faculty at the University of Arkansas in 1979.

In 1981, he accepted a position at North Carolina State University and was promoted to associate professor in 1985 and to professor of animal science in 1990. He retired in 2012 as professor emeritus.

Spears is recognized as a leading authority in the area of mineral nutrition of domestic animals. His research has advanced the understanding of mineral metabolism in ruminants and non-ruminants and has had an impact on the livestock industry.