Kansas City, Mo. – June 8, 2016 – AgriBank and Agriculture Future of America have selected Martee Larson and Natalie Resch for the 2016 William J. Collins scholarship program focused on developing the next generation of agriculture leaders.
The William J. Collins Scholarship is part of the AFA Leader and Academic Scholarship program. The $2,000 scholarship, named for a former CEO of AgriBank, is awarded to children of Farm Credit employees within the AgriBank District. It recognizes students who are planning to pursue careers in agriculture, and provides them access to premier soft-skill training and financial assistance for their college education.
This year’s two outstanding students are pursuing agriculture-related, four-year degrees and are passionate about the future of the agriculture industry:
- Martee Larson, Fort Pierre, S.D., will begin her studies this fall in veterinary science and technology at South Dakota State University. After completing her degree, she plans to become a veterinarian to care for animals and research new vaccines and cures for diseases to improve animal production. Martee is the daughter of David and Kim Larson. Kim is a real estate and chattel appraiser with Farm Credit Service of America.
- Natalie Resch, Windom, Minn., will begin her studies this fall in agricultural education and applied economics at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. She plans to pursue a career in agricultural education to teach future leaders of all agriculture-related industries. Natalie is the daughter of Thomas and Brenda Resch. Thomas is a senior credit underwriter with AgStar Financial Services.
AFA and AgriBank are committed to investing in the scholars’ leader development. This is why the scholarship program includes sponsorship to the AFA Leaders Conference in addition to a traditional academic scholarship. The conference is AFA’s key leader development event, providing soft-skill training and connecting students with their peers and industry professionals.
AFA is looking forward to welcoming over 700 college students from across the nation to Kansas City, Missouri, Nov. 3-6 for the 2016 AFA Leaders Conference. For more information about the conference, visit www.agfuture.org/leadersconference.
WILLIAM J. COLLINS SCHOLARS
Martee Larson, Fort Pierre, S.D., South Dakota State University
Natalie Resch, Windom, Minn., University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
ABOUT AGRIBANK
AgriBank is one of the largest banks within the national Farm Credit System, with nearly $100 billion in total assets. Under the Farm Credit System’s cooperative structure, AgriBank is primarily owned by 17 affiliated Farm Credit Associations. The AgriBank District covers America’s Midwest, a 15-state area stretching from Wyoming to Ohio and Minnesota to Arkansas. With about half of the nation’s cropland located in the AgriBank District and nearly 100 years of experience, the Bank and its Association owners have significant expertise in providing financial products and services for rural communities and agriculture. For more information, please visit www.AgriBank.com.
ABOUT AFA
AFA creates partnerships that identify, encourage and support outstanding collegiate and young professional men and women who are pursuing careers in the agriculture and food industry. With program participation increasing 73 percent in the last five years, AFA leader development programs have impacted 13,000 college leaders and young professionals from more than 200 colleges and universities throughout 43 states since its inception in 1997. AFA has awarded more than $9 million in academic and leader development scholarships. For more information about AFA, visit www.agfuture.org or contact Megan Karlin at megan.karlin@agfuture.org.
MEDIA CONTACTS
Kirstin Brost Grantham, AgriBank
(612) 547-6397 or Kirstin.Grantham@AgriBank.com
Megan Karlin, Agriculture Future of America
(816) 472-4232 or Megan.Karlin@AgFuture.org