Vita Plus Loyal Names Agriculture Scholarship Winners (May 2015)

Posted on May 5, 2015 in Company News
(Loyal, Wis.) – Vita Plus Loyal is proud to name six high school seniors as recipients of the 2015 “Our Future is Agriculture” scholarships. This program recognizes deserving students with long-term career interests in agriculture.  Students must plan to enroll in an accredited vocational/technical institute, community college or four-year college or university that offers an academic major in a field related to agriculture.  The $500 scholarships may be applied toward tuition, room and board, or other expenses.

This year’s recipients are Kevin Johnson, Granton High School; Zack Meyer, Colby High School; Nicole Pralle, Osseo-Fairchild High School; Kellisa Rowe, Granton High School; Jake Rueth, Loyal High School; and Ashley Zimmerman, Spencer High School.

Kevin Johnson, Granton, is the son of Duane and Charlotte Johnson.  He currently serves as the vice president of the Granton FFA Chapter and the treasurer of the Granton National Honor Society. He also participates in several community service projects and helps with chores on his family’s farm and other local dairies.  Johnson will attend the University of Wisconsin-River Falls with a major in dairy science. “I chose dairy science because I love to be outside, taking care of the cows and working the land,” Johnson said. “I also want my kids to have the same opportunity to grow up on a farm as I did.”

Zack Meyer, Spencer, is the son of Jeff and Louanne Meyer.  He is an active member of the Colby FFA Chapter, the Clark County Junior Holstein Association and the Maplewood Badgers 4-H Club.  He is also involved with the Agriculture Apprenticeship and School to Work programs.  Meyer will attend the UW-Madison Farm and Industry Short Course. “I want to have a high-producing, high-quality dairy farming and crop business after graduating,” Meyer said.  “I would like to stay in the Loyal-Colby area where farming has a strong tradition.”

Nicole Pralle, Humbird, is the daughter of Scott Pralle and Pam Selz-Pralle.  She serves as president of the Clark County Junior Holstein Association.  She also is active in National Honors Society, dairy judging, community musicals and the National Holstein Association.  This fall, Pralle will attend UW-Madison to double-major in dairy science and agriculture business. “My career opportunities are endless, but one thing is for sure, my work boots are going to stay in the dairy industry,” Pralle said. “It’s where I want to work. It’s who I am.”

Kellisa Rowe, Neillsville, is the daughter of Tiffanee Tesmer and Brad Rowe.  She is involved in cross country, basketball, track and field, Granton FFA and the Granton National Honors Society. She also participates in many community service activities as a member of the Happy Valley 4-H Club.  This fall, Rowe will attend Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College with a major in dairy herd management. “Upon completion of college, I will return to the Granton area to take over and restart the family dairy as an all-Jersey farm,” Rowe said.

Jake Rueth, Loyal, is the son of Rick and Pam Rueth.  He is involved in the Loyal FFA Chapter, National Honors Society, and football and wrestling, serving as the captain for both teams.  Rueth also works on his family farm, assisting with animal care and field work.  He plans to attend UW-Platteville to major in animal science and minor in agriculture business.  In his future career, he would like to work with dairies that use robotic milking machines.  “I want to share my knowledge with others and help educate them on new technology and the changes occurring in the field of agriculture,” Rueth said.

Ashley Zimmerman, Spencer, is the daughter of Mark and Cheryl Zimmerman.  She is an active member of the Spencer FFA Chapter where she currently serves as president.  She is also active in the Spencer Agricultural Education Department and the Wisconsin Cooperative Network Youth Board of Directors.  Zimmerman will attend UW-River Falls to major in agricultural education with a minor in animal science.  “I plan to obtain my teaching license with the plans of becoming an agricultural education instructor and FFA advisor,” Zimmerman said.

The employee owners at Vita Plus Loyal recognize that supporting students in their pursuit of agricultural careers is essential to developing the next generation of leaders and innovators in the agriculture industry.

“Investing in the skills, passions and educations of these students will pay dividends as they enter the agriculture workforce,” said Vita Plus Loyal General Manager John Every.  “They have already achieved a great deal of accomplishments as students and we look forward to seeing their professional contributions as well.”

Vita Plus Corporation is an employee-owned company headquartered in Madison, Wis. Vita Plus has been serving livestock producers since 1948. More than just a feed supplier, Vita Plus consultants offer the latest cutting-edge technology, nutrition and management information. For more information about the organization, call 1-800-362-8334 or go online at www.vitaplus.com.

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