The National Dairy Shrine is pleased to announce the recipients of the NDS / DMI Milk and Dairy Product Scholarships for 2020. These generous scholarships made possible by Dairy Management Inc. and NDS to encourage students to pursue careers in dairy product or milk marketing, dairy product development and/or quality control or similar roles in the dairy & food industries.
Jessica Schmitt of Fort Atkinson, Iowa has been awarded the top scholarship of $1500.
Jessica is a student at Iowa State University majoring in Dairy Science & Agricultural Communications. She was named the Iowa Dairy Princess for 2019. At college she serves as a CALS Ambassador Secretary, a member of the Agriculture Communicators of Tomorrow, ISU Dairy Club Executive Team member & Committee Chair, a member of Sigma Alpha, and the CALS Council Committee Chair. After graduation Ms. Schmitt would like to work for a regional or national dairy check-off program to increase awareness of the positives of the dairy industry.
Additionally, three other undergraduate students have been awarded $1000 scholarships. They are:
Katherine Gathje from Richmond, Minnesota, who is attending the University of Minnesota and is majoring in Agricultural Communication & Marketing. Ms. Gathje has served as president of the Minnesota Junior Holstein Association, as President of the Gopher Dairy Club, a Princess Kay of the Milky Way finalist, a leader in Meeker County 4-H and has earned an American FFA degree. Ms. Gathje is also active in the Beta of Clovia Sorority. Katherine plans on using her speaking and dairy advocate experiences from an
internship with Midwest Dairy to enter a career with a dairy cooperative or check-off organization.
Cayley Vande Berg of Eldorado, Wisconsin, who is attending the University of Wisconsin-River Falls majoring in Dairy Science. Cayley is currently serving as the 2020 Wisconsin Fairest of the Fairs. On campus she has been active in the UW-River Falls Dairy Club, Collegiate Farm Bureau, Alpha Zeta, Agriculture Future of America, and the PDPW Mentor Program. During an internship with Foremost Farms USA working with the National Dairy FARM program, Cayley found her passion for a future career working for dairy farmers at a cooperative or other member organization.
Brianna McBride of Severance, Colorado who is attending Iowa State University majoring in Dairy Science and Food Science. Brianna has served as the Colorado State FFA Treasurer and successfully competed in state and national FFA competitions. Also being a leader in 4-H as well as a member of the National Junior associations for the Holstein and Milking Shorthorn breeds. AT ISU she is a CALS Ambassador and a member of the Youth Organization Committee. After helping at the Iowa Youth Dairy Coalition, she developed a passion for educating and promoting dairy to the public. In the future Brianna would like to operate her own dairy with an on-site café
and dairy bar featuring products from her herd.
Dairy Management Inc.™ (DMI) is the nonprofit domestic and international planning and management organization responsible for increasing demand for dairy products and ingredients on behalf of dairy producers and importers. DMI manages the American Dairy Association® and National Dairy Council®. DMI has also established affiliate organizations, including the U.S. Dairy Export Council®, Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy® and the Dairy Research Institute®. For more information, please visit here.
For more information about the students being recognized by National Dairy Shrine or details about a future NDS Awards Banquet, contact the NDS office at [email protected]. Additional information on National Dairy Shrine membership or other activities is also available here. Dairy enthusiasts are encouraged to become a part of the most important dairy organization helping to inspire future dairy leaders, honor current or past dairy leaders and
preserve dairy industry history.