Each year, First District Association offers scholarships to its member-owners. Below are the recipients of our 2026 scholarships:

 

Cavin Carlson 

Pennock, MN

For Cavin Carlson, it was a no brainer he wanted to pursue an education within the agriculture field. With his love for the dairy industry, coupled with his eagerness to learn, Cavin will be attending South Dakota State University where he will enter in the dairy production program. While

he is unsure what he wants to do after graduation, he hopes to bring what he learned back to his family’s dairy farm and the dairy industry as a whole. 

Throughout high school, Cavin has remained active in various organizations including 4-H, FFA, football, wrestling, track and field, choir, band, National Honor Society and youth group at his church. Each of these organizations has offered multiple leadership and volunteering opportunities where he could give back to his local community. 

“Growing up on my family’s dairy farm my whole life has truly made me appreciation all that agriculture has to offer and what it does for the community.”

 

Addison Christenson

Freeport, MN   

Being surrounded by dairy farming her whole life, Addison has a love for animals.  That love is bringing her to North Dakota State University to start her journey to become a large animal veterinarian.  

Throughout her time at Melrose High School, Addison has been involved in the National Honors Society where she has participated in many community service projects such as Red Cross Blood Drives, Special Olympics Bowling Tournaments, Food Shelf Drives, and more. She is also very involved in her local 4-H club where she serves as treasurer. In the summer at the Stearns County Fairy, you can often find her in the barn caring for her cattle and answering questions about dairy cows and farming. 

“Everyone working in the agriculture industry is devoted to seeing it flourish and reach its full potential. I believe that through my work as a large animal veterinarian, I will be aiding in this goal by ensuring animals are reaching their full health and productivity.”

 

Mason Glessing

Waverly, MN 

As a current Animal Science student at Southwest Wisconsin Technical College, Mason is planning to come home after completing his schooling. He believes that this education will allow him to stay up to date with modern practices and technologies that he can bring back to his family’s dairy and milking goat farm.  

In high school, Mason was extensively involved in 4-H and FFA activities and contests. While at Southwest Wisconsin Technical College, Mason is involved with the Dairy Challenge Team and National Professional Agriculture Student (PAS) Organization.  

“After completing my studies, I plan to return to my family’s dairy operation. I am eager to continue our farm’s legacy, and I want to build on what my family has already established.”

 

Wyatt Glessing 

Waverly, MN 

Currently in his 2nd year at South Dakota State University (SDSU), Wyatt, who is studying Precision Agriculture, has big plans for his family farm’s future. Wyatt has a strong interest in crop production and enjoys the data and statistics that on-farm technology can provide. He hopes that when he graduates and comes back to the family farm, he can improve efficiency, reduce input costs, and help find different solutions for his farm and other farms.  

At SDSU, Wyatt is involved in Farmhouse Fraternity, Dairy Club Activities Director, Agronomy and Precision Ag Club, Collegiate Farm Bureau, and Little International Executive Team.   

Pursuing further education is important to me because agriculture is becoming more advanced and requires a strong understanding of both technology and management. 

“I believe I can contribute to the agriculture industry by focusing on efficiency, sustainability, and innovation…By using precision agriculture tools, improving nutrient management, and adopting new technologies, I can help make farming both more profitable and more sustainable.” 

 

Collin Herkenhoff

Freeport, MN 

Collin has realized on his family farm a small equipment issue can easily turn into a lost day of productive work. With timing safety, and cost on the line for many farmers when breakdowns happen, Collin decided to further his education by attending Ridgewater College’s Ag Equipment Mechanics Program.  

Collin volunteers every year at his church’s festival, helping staff the french fry or hamburger stand. Deep down, Collin knows that his strengths and interests are most closely tied to agriculture. He is often the person that neighbors will reach out to when they need an extra set of hands with his comfortability around machinery. 

“Looking ahead, I hope to contribute to the agriculture industry by keeping operations like ours productive and safe and by being the kind of neighbor who can step in when someone needs a hand or a quick repair to stay on schedule.”

 

Emma Krohnfeldt

Alexandria, MN

Emma is currently attending South Dakota State University (SDSU) with a pre-vet emphasis with a goal to come back to her hometown with a mixed animal practice. Any good farmer understands the importance of a backup plan and knows how to pivot. If the vet track doesn’t work out for Emma, she wants to pursue a career in dairy cattle nutrition.  No matter what path is taken, Emma wants to be able to work in the dairy community with the cattle that sustain it.  

Emma is currently a Douglas County Dairy Princess where she enjoys sharing her experiences with others while promoting the dairy industry. In college, Emma is involved in Pre-Vet Club, Dairy Club, Alpha Zeta Sorority, and Little International. While in high school, Emma was very involved in FFA and 4-H, serving as a MN 4-H Ambassador.

“Whether I am working as a veterinarian, a nutritionist, or a farmer, my goal is to support an industry that has raised me and means so much to me.”

 

Corbin Middendorf

Sauk Centre, MN 

Corbin knows that equipment is getting more complex with computers and programing. He plans to go to Alexandria Technical and Community College to study Diesel Mechanics to gain skills and experience with all ages and types of equipment. After school, he plans to work within the industry to help farmers with mechanical issues.  

Throughout his high school career, Corbin has tried out many different sport teams but has stayed true to his FFA Chapter. He also participated in the Sauk Centre Community Ambassador Program, where he learned about his town, community businesses, and city government. 

“The biggest reason that I want to further my education in the diesel mechanics industry is because everything is starting to get more complex when dealing with computers and programming.” 

 

Isabella Schiffler 

Albany, MN

Growing up on her family farm and watching the veterinarian perform surgeries on their cattle, inspired Isabella to pursue a career as a large animal veterinarian. In the fall, Isabella plans to attend North Dakota State University (NDSU) to get her degree in Animal Science then hopes to attend University of Minnesota for Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Program.  As a vet, she hopes to strengthen heard health through a focus on reproduction and nutrition while also supporting the well being of farm families.  

Currently Isabella is a Stearns County Dairy Princess where she enjoys bridging the gap between producers and consumers. In school, Isabella is a 3-sport athlete and served as the captain of the girl’s basketball team all while maintaining A-Honor Roll. She is also actively involved in National Honors Society, Letter Club, Captains and Leaders, FFA and 4-H holding various leadership positions and participating in various activities and service projects. 

“Becoming a large animal veterinarian will enable me to remain involved in the dairy industry and assist small farmers, just like my dad.”  

 

Abigayle Schumacher

Elgin, MN

Abigayle‘s love for animals began at a very young age inside her family’s calf barn. Early on, Abigayle always stated she wanted to become a vet to help other farmers, and that is the career path she is still planning to take. She is currently attending University of Wisconsin Lacrosse to obtain her Biology degree and will then pursue schooling to become a vet. Abigayle credits growing up on a dairy farm for teaching her hard work and resilience, which she states she will come in handy when going through schooling.  

Growing up, Abigayle was involved in 4-H for over 10 years where she was active in showing cattle. Now in the summers, Abigayle plans to shadow local veterinarians for more experience while also staying involved on her family’s dairy farm. 

“Becoming a veterinarian has been something I have wanted to do since I was a little girl helping in the barn and that is exactly where I hope to come back too.” 

 

Oliver Wieber 

Richmond, MN

Growing up on his family’s dairy farm sparked Oliver Wieber’s interest in the dairy industry from a young age. This fall, he plans to attend Ridgewater College for Dairy Management, with the ultimate goal of coming back to the family farm after graduation. 

Oliver is active in FFA serving as the Vice President and Treasurer for his local chapter. He has also competed in the Dairy Evaluation CDE where he has had the opportunity to represent his chapter at the state competition for three years in a row. 

“…a college education in dairy management will give me the best head start that I can have.”

 

Congratulations to this year’s recipients!