Each year, First District Association offers scholarships to its member-owners. Below are the recipients of our 2025 scholarships:

 

William Bastian

Fairfax, MN

The history and legacy of his 140-year-old farm, coupled with the love for the dairy industry, is the reason William is planning to attend South Dakota State University this fall for Dairy Production and Business. His goal is to take what he learns at school and apply that to the farm to maximize efficiency and profitability.

Throughout high school, William has served in various leadership positions in FFA, football, basketball, baseball, trapshooting, National Honor Society, and Student Council. He is also involved in the St. Andrews Church and youth group and has volunteered his time to coach 5th grade football, raking leaves in town, and being a buddy for the elementary school. William is currently involved in his local Farm Bureau organization and hopes he can continue that in college to advocate for farmers at a government level.

“I really enjoy dairy farming. I love the feeling of being accomplished after a hard day’s work. I also like the relationships you build with people at co-ops and other organizations that your farm needs.”

 

Tatum Brookman

Byron, MN

Tatum has always had a passion for farming, but when she started working on Ed and Sherri Twohey’s farm in Olmsted County in the summer of 2021, her passion grew. She plans to attend Northeast Iowa Community College to study Dairy and Beef Science and hopes to work as a livestock nutritionist.

Tatum currently serves as an Olmsted County Dairy Princess where she interacts with the community through walking parades, helping with the county fair and Dairy Night at the Honkers Baseball Game. She also is involved with her local FFA chapter where she taught 1st graders the importance of dairy cows and why we need them.

“I want to help farmers keep their herds happy and healthy, being able to keep farms up and running.”

 

Conlan Carlson

Pennock, MN

With technology evolving in agriculture, Conlan sees the tremendous potential in using drones, sensors, and data analytics to improve crop yields, which is something he wants to bring back to the family dairy in the future. Being intrigued by the crop side of farming coupled with an interest to get a pilot’s license to crop dust, Conlan is planning to attend South Dakota State University to study Precision Agriculture and Aviation.

Growing up, Conlan has been involved in 4-H with his family showing cows and dairy cattle judging in FFA. His family farm often provides tours and he wants to continue doing so to share the importance of dairy farming.

“My future plans involve using my education in aviation and precision agriculture to bring innovative, data-driven solutions to the dairy and agriculture industries. I would like to work closely with farmers to maximize efficiency within their crops and operations.”

 

Gunnar Heieie

Brooten, MN

Gunnar is hoping that one day he can take over his family farm. That plan steered him in the direction of Ridgewater College where he will be studying Dairy Management this fall. He is hoping to learn different management techniques to bring back to his own farm to make it more successful. Gunnar currently works at Farm Systems on robotic milkers and parlors and raises his own steers. He also participates in his local FFA by doing fieldwork for the FFA test plot.

“I want to learn more about managing our dairy farm so that I can make it more successful and someday possible expand our farm.”

 

Max Heieie

Brooten, MN

Max has always had an interest in both dairy farming and working on equipment. That interest is now going to further his education as he plans to study both Agriculture Equipment and Dairy Management at Ridgewater College. Max currently works at Lake Henry Implement where his mechanical aptitude has been a major asset to the company.

“After college, I plan on helping manage my family dairy farm and I will also be working at Lake Henry Implement helping local farmers keep their operations running by fixing their equipment.”

 

Maria Hinnenkamp

Melrose, MN

As a young girl, Maria always loved being on the farm and anything to do with agriculture. As she grew older, she realized she enjoyed and excelled at biology and chemistry. Maria knew she could excel in a health care-related field and coupled that with agriculture to ultimately decide to become a veterinarian. She plans to attend North Dakota State University to study Microbiology and then veterinary school afterwards. She hopes to work with dairy farmers in the future to help ensure cattle are healthy and efficient to produce high quality milk.

Maria states that leadership roles she has held have helped her learn how to be productive and stay organized to reach her goals. Her hard work allowed her multiple trips to state gymnastics, earning her a 5th place individual finish.

“I know that becoming a vet takes a lot of schooling and hard work but growing up on a farm has instilled a strong work ethic in me even from a young age.”

 

Jessica Lundquist

Staples, MN

Jessica originally wanted to become a nurse, but this past winter when she started working on Loren Vetsch’s farm she changed her course to attend Central Lakes College to become a Diesel Technician. She states that being on a farm is amazing for the soul and mind, and nothing can replace that feeling or opportunity. She wants to take her career to be able to help keep farmers going on their farm.

Jessica served as the FFA Chapter President this year. She credits her FFA experience for the leadership skills she currently possesses. Jessica is also passionate about conserving the turkey population. She has been volunteering with the National Wild Turkey Federation since 2019. In high school, Jessica was also involved in band and multiple sports while obtaining her Associates of Arts through Central Lakes College.

“I have always been fascinated and envious of a farmers’ hard work ethic and determination that they show everyday of the year. Loren has taught me how to work hard even when things aren’t going right and I think that it is a very important lesson to learn as I will carry that with me for the rest of my life.”

 

Ingrid Popp

Rice, MN

Growing up on her family farm, Ingrid discovered her passion for helping animals. As a young girl, she would often help the pigeons, cats, and cows that resided on the farm. After graduation, she was lost and did not want to spend money on college if she was unsure of her path. After working for two years, she realized she felt most alive when helping animals. She then enrolled at University of Wisconsin-River Falls to obtain her Pre-Vet degree and then will finish her schooling in Iowa. After school, Ingrid hopes she can provide discounted or free care for farmers who cannot afford a full vet bill as her passion is for helping animals, not for making money.

“’I think that if you were raised on a farm, you were born with dirt in your shoes and once you get dirt in your shoes, you can’t ever get it out’ -Mark Thomas. I love this quote because I believe that for me, it is true.”

 

Tyler Ratka

Cold Spring, MN

Even though Tyler didn’t grow up on a dairy farm, both of his parents came from family farms, so dairy was naturally instilled in him. They made sure he and his siblings were involved in the dairy industry. He started leasing dairy cattle at the age of five and was involved in 4-H, FFA, and Minnesota Junior Holstein Association. He then got involved in showing, dairy judging, and dairy quiz bowl. These youth events taught Tyler a lot about the industry which led him to study this in college. Tyler is currently a sophomore at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities where he is studying Animal Science and Agriculture and Food Business Management. After graduation, he plans to find a career which will allow him to consult with farmers on nutrition and feed management, or genetic improvements in their herd.

In college, Tyler is involved in his fraternity, Alpha Gamma Rho, Gopher Dairy Club, Gopher Crops and Soils, and Agriculture Business Club. After finding a career within the industry, he hopes to volunteer with the various youth programs that helped instill his love and knowledge of dairy.

“Many of my greatest mentors are in the dairy industry including farmers, industry professionals, and volunteers. This instilled in me the drive to get involved and eventually give back to this great industry.”

 

Josi Smude

Pierz, MN

Growing up on a dairy farm, Josi understands some of the struggles farmers go through. That understanding paved the way for her to attend Ridgewater College to get her Agricultural Business AAS. She plans on working at the local co-op to help farmers, as well as helping her dad on the farm.

Josi is currently a Morrison County Dairy Princess where she can spread the positive messages on the goodness of dairy and offer insights to the work farmers do. She also helps clean ditches, work at meat raffles, and serve concession stands for various activities her high school holds in the community.

“I want to be able to help other farmers succeed and continue the tradition of farming in my family.”

Daniel Spanier

Belgrade, MN

Daniel has a goal of taking over the farm with his family but needed a way to earn some experience before that happens. Choosing the Farm Operations and Management tract at Ridgewater College seemed like an easy choice for Daniel and his goals. Before expanding his farm, he would like to get his CDL and custom applicator license so he can work for a co-op to help farmers.

In his free time, Daniel enjoys spending time at the lake and playing baseball. He currently plays for the Spring Hill Chargers during the summer and umpires Little League Baseball in Spring Hill and Melrose. He also volunteers with his church when able.

“I plan on buying and growing the farm with my dad and brother.”

 

Congratulations to this year’s recipients!