“I’m nobody special. I’m just a small part of the industry.”
She may be just one person in the dairy industry, but Brianne Brown’s Dare to Dream sale and scholarship program has a rippling effect. Brianne took her greatest passion and inspiration in life, cows and her kids, and created a unique experience encouraging youth to follow their dreams.
The idea behind the scholarship is near and dear to Brianne’s heart. It’s all about mentorship. Brianne knows first-hand how difficult it can be to find the right mentor – the one who’s willing to answer every question, offer endless support and be that resource you need when you’re just starting out. She and her husband, Chris, built their 100-cow herd, now under the Beslea prefix, after purchasing a barn in 2011 in Yarker, Ontario – the road to get there would’ve been challenging without the help of their mentors.
Brianne’s goal was to create a platform where youth in dairy knew they could count on to get the support they needed. That’s how, in the midst of the COVID pandemic, the Dare to Dream scholarship was born.
For the past two years, in tandem with their tag and embryo sale, the Brown family has accomplished exactly what they set out to, and then some. In the first year alone, over 80 youth applied to the Dare to Dream scholarship, and the number of applicants has been consistent since. “We’ve awarded $7,000 to youth in Canada, the United States and abroad,” says Brianne. “Now with the support of numerous generous sponsors, we are doubling the monetary amount offered to this year’s scholarship winners.”
If she can fuel one young person’s passion, Brianne calls that a success. The scholarship has truly had a ripple effect on youth in dairy and their families. “I had a mom reach out to me to tell me she saw a huge confidence boost in her daughter after we announced her as a winner of the scholarship,” Brianne remarks. “As a mom of five, including a preteen daughter at the time, that meant the world to me.”
Another young lady used her scholarship award to purchase a sewing machine, and now she meets with 4-H clubs to teach the members how to quilt. “It’s all in an effort to help youth in our industry reach their goals and achieve their dreams,” Brianne adds.
Though it’s extremely rewarding to say the least, sorting through the dozens of scholarship applicants is no easy feat. Brianne has learned a thing or two about what makes a “standout” applicant in her mind. Here are a few reminders for youth interested in applying to this year’s Dare to Dream scholarship, due March 10.
Delivery is just as important as the content
“Within the first 10 seconds of watching a video submission, or just by the terminology used in a written submission, it’s evident if an applicant is truly passionate or not,” Brianne explains. Be original and let your energy shine through.
Grammar, punctuation and spelling… important, yet oftentimes overlooked details.
Errors make it difficult to understand what you’re really trying to say. Have someone proofread or review your application just to make sure your i’s are dotted and t’s crossed!
YOU have to want it.
Apply because you really want to, not because someone told you to.
Cowsmopolitan is proud to support youth in dairy as a sponsor of the Dare to Dream scholarship. Rules and instructions to apply can be found by visiting Brianne Brown’s Facebook page.