GREEN BAY, Wis. (May 28, 2015) — Two outstanding young adults on track to be leaders in the dairy industry are getting help from the Dairy Business Milk Marketing Cooperative to achieve their dreams.
DBMMC has awarded $1,000 education scholarships to Kara Maxwell and Tyler Vande Wettering.
Maxwell is a student at Iowa State University planning to graduate in May 2016 with a degree in dairy science with minors in agricultural business, Spanish and international agriculture. She has been active in college with the Dairy Science Club, the Honors Program, as a college ambassador and with her church.
Jeffery Campbell, director of Ames Iowa Institute of Religion, said, “Kara has provided key leadership in our student programs and has demonstrated reliability, proactivity and wisdom. She embraces any task she undertakes with a positive attitude and great enthusiasm.”
Maxwell’s ultimate goal is to return home to the farm in Donahue, Iowa. “I want to be a part of this industry because it is an integral part of who I am and I know that I have much to contribute,” she said.
The second scholarship recipient, Vande Wettering, is a senior at Kaukauna High School with plans to attend UW-Madison to major in dairy science and agricultural business management. He has been active in the Engineering Club as the leader of the robotics team, National Honor Society and Key Club. He has volunteered in a variety of community activities including Young Neighbors in Action, Habitat for Humanity Restore and his church.
Michelle Feucht, Kaukauna High School counselor, said, “Tyler has an incredible work ethic and is devoted to helping others. He is a dedicated, successful student, leader and volunteer in our community.”
Vande Wettering’s career goal is to take over the family farm and someday be a member of DBMMC.
This is the second year DBMMC has offered scholarships to help finance higher education for the children of its members. Scott Munes, DBMMC’s business development manager, said the co-op plans to continue awarding scholarships for outstanding dairy-minded students in the years to come.
“Quality leadership is important for our dairy industry,” Munes said. “Passion and work ethic in our youth will allow us to accomplish great things into the future. These students exemplify just that.”
Students competing for the scholarships were judged on academic achievement, leadership and participation in school and community activities, academic honors, goals and aspirations, recommendations and work experience.
About DBMMC
The mission of Dairy Business Milk Marketing Cooperative is to provide leadership and influence on federal policy issues, ensuring positive results for dairy producers of today and tomorrow. DBMMC is a verification cooperative that also delivers added value by providing dairy farms with information on important issues. DBMMC represents dairy farms of all sizes in Federal Orders 30, 32, and 33. For more information, please visit www.dbmmc.com.