Each year, First District Association offers scholarships to its member-owners. Below are the recipients of our 2024 scholarships:

 

Bryce Haubenschild

Princeton, MN

As an incoming freshman to South Dakota State University pursuing an Ag Systems Technician degree, Bryce is eager to be at the forefront of the ever-changing word of farming. With his degree he will learn how to properly use and maintain various machines. Bryce grew up and works on his family’s dairy farm near Princeton. He hopes to bring his experiences from the farm with him to college and apply to his studies.

Throughout high school, Bryce has been involved in National Honor Society, sports and 4-H. His family has provided dairy cattle for the Minnesota State Fair’s Miracle of Birth Center for several years. They also have hosted numerous breakfasts on the farm events giving tours to thousands of individuals. Both events have been an amazing opportunity to interact and show others what happens on the dairy farm.

“The farming world is always changing with new technology coming into the picture there is huge opportunity for people to take advantage of this new technology.”

 

Sam Jeurissen

Lester Prairie, MN

For years Sam could be found at his family’s dairy farm tinkering on tractors and other equipment. Sam’s most memorable project in 4-H was a snowmobile he worked on and won first place. This made him realize he had a real talent for fixing equipment. This passion led him to attend Alexandria Technical and Community College to become a diesel mechanic. He hopes to help other farmers fixing their equipment, and also come back to the family farm and farm alongside his sister.

“I’ve enjoyed all of these activities throughout the years, and I continue to get excited every time I get to work on something new.”

 

Porter Kuechle

Eden Valley, MN

New technology and increasing efficiency are pieces Porter finds high value in for agriculture. His hope is to learn new skills at Ridgewater College in the Farm Operations and Management program to bring back to his family’s farm to help enhance efficiency as he wants to become the third generation to take over.

Porter is also a strong believer in dairy advocacy and supporting the economic success of rural communities. Him and his family has hosted several groups for tours on their farm. He says he loves helping them make the farm to food connection. Besides helping on the family farm, Porter is also involved in 4-H, FFA, his local church, football, and baseball.

“Just like other industries, dairy farms have an increasing opportunity to use technology to improve their efficiency.”

 

Austin Kulzer

Melrose, MN

In the fall, Austin will be attending Ridgewater College to pursue a degree in Agriculture Power and Equipment Technician. He hopes to take over the family farm one day and will bring the skills he learned in the program back to his community.

Austin has taken great pride in seeing his local farming community come together and help those in need. Whether it is helping others finish harvest, or there to be a shoulder to lean on, he is always amazed to see such genuine support. He says actions like this have helped him decide on future plans and helping his local community continue to thrive.

“Agriculture has always been my focus since I was little, so I would like to continue on this pathway and pursue the career of my dreams.”

 

Dani Poppler

Waverly, MN

Through some previous learning experiences, Dani has had the opportunity to travel to different farms and see the management techniques used on those facilities. Between visiting other dairy farmers and from growing up on her family’s farm, she has noticed every farm has the same goal – to provide cow as much comfort as they can while taking part in feeding a growing population. She wants to find a career where she can help dairy farmers find success on their farm.

Dani will be attending South Dakota State University majoring in Dairy Production. She has been actively involved in her local FFA chapter, the dairy ambassador program, gymnastics, track and field, her local church, and is currently a Winsted Ambassador.

“I believe that agriculture touches the lives of all people. Whether that be the food they eat or the clothes they wear. Without agriculture, no one would live the life they live.”

 

Daisie Pramann

Clearwater, MN

Daisie has always enjoyed growing up on her family’s dairy farm and taking care of the cattle. Her responsibilities on the farm have only grown over the years from milking cows to helping adjust feeding rations and vaccinations. She will be furthering her education after high school and majoring in dairy science where she hopes to utilize her current skills and knowledge to come back to the farm.

When she is not on the farm, Daisie is active in her local FFA chapter helping with various educational events such as Ag Day with the elementary students, a part of student government, volleyball, and is the manager for the girl’s basketball team.

“Animals have been my whole life, and I can’t imagine doing anything that doesn’t involve them.”

 

Gracie Sellner

Sleepy Eye, MN

With her first year at South Dakota State University under her belt, Gracie’s passion for teaching others about agriculture has grown. Her involvement in FFA, 4-H and being a Brown County Dairy Princess has led her to become a high school agriculture teacher after college.

Gracie grew up on her family’s dairy farm near Sleepy Eye where she wouldn’t trade the lifestyle for anything. She can’t wait to take the lessons she learned on the farm and apply it to her future career.

“I want to teach kids where their food comes from, and how to plant crops and turn them into forage for livestock to eat.”

 

Sadie Waltman

Little Falls, MN

From an early age, Sadie could be found at her great grandparents farm with her dad helping with chores. Later on she realized how much she enjoyed being on the farm milking cows, feeding calves and helping with fieldwork. This sparked her desire to attend Ridgewater College in the fall to major in Dairy Management where she hopes to develop more skills to contribute to the farm.

Sadie is heavily involved in her local community. She has volunteered with a group of students for the Day of Caring where they clean up and take care of other’s yardwork. She has also taken part in her schools community garden where they grow produce and use them in the school lunches.

“Being around the cows makes me the happiest, as they truly are my passion.”

 

Preston Welling

Paynesville, MN

Preston found a love for animals through showing dairy cattle and working at a local dairy farm feeding calves. These interests also gave him the push to study Animal Science at Oklahoma State University in the fall in hopes to become an animal nutritionist. He wants to help farmers make rations that are the most efficient and assist them in reaching their individual goals.

Preston is also very active off the farm being involved in 4-H, FFA, Minnesota Junior Holstein Association, Minnesota Junior Brown Swiss Association, National Honor Society, and wrestling. Within these organizations he has help many leadership roles both at a local and county level.

“I want to be able to work with farmers that will help them become more efficient and profitable.”

 

Adam Wilwerding

Freeport, MN

As a problem solver, Adam couldn’t think of a better path to take than attend South Dakota State University for a dual degree in Mechanical Engineering and Precision Agriculture. He is constantly thinking about how current practices could be improved or done differently on the dairy farm.

After college, Adam hopes to find a career where he can assist those in the agriculture industry think outside the box to improve efficiencies and reduce carbon emissions, and to also return to his family’s dairy farm.

“As part of our family team, I hope to bring new ideas that will enhance the sustainability of our business.”

 

Congratulations to this year’s recipients!