Illinois Pork Producers Association Announces Scholarship Winners
Each year, the Illinois Pork Producers Association offers scholarships to students pursuing a higher education degree, at a two or four-year institution, who have an interest in the pork industry. Recipients are selected based on activities, IPPA involvement and an essay outlining the repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic on the pork industry.
“The interest and quality of applicants this year was outstanding and there is little question in the fact the future of the pork industry is in a great position to continue to succeed,” IPPA Board President Thomas Titus says in a release. “In addition, as a past recipient of an IPPA scholarship myself, I can attest to the opportunities that this scholarship program presents for long term involvement within the pork industry.”
IPPA is proud to offer nine awards for the 2022-2023 school year, totaling $13,500. There are three levels of award dollars: gold, silver, and bronze. Funding for these scholarships is made possible through the Wilbert & Carol Keppy Foundation.
Gold level recipients, who are receiving a $2,000 award are: Lydia Louise Oker of Sandwich; Lauren Curry of Alpha; Jaidyn Miller of Sheffield.
Silver level recipients, who are receiving a $1,500 award, are: Madisen Winter of Kewanee; Hailey VanOpdorp of Geneseo; Michael Steimel of DeKalb
Bronze level recipients, who are receiving a $1,000 award, are: Emma Coursey of Bushnell; Lindsey Lehman of Mt. Vernon; Hallie Ray of Carthage
“These recipients excel in advocating for agriculture, especially the pork industry,” says Lana Shovlin, Director of Communications for IPPA. “We look forward to meeting new faces each year and getting them involved in our organizations for years to come.”
Indiana Agriculture Nutrient Alliance Awards Schneider with Meritorious Service Award
The Indiana Agriculture Nutrient Alliance presented its Meritorious Service Award to Justin Schneider, director of consumer affairs at Indiana American Water.
Justin was recognized because of critical role in the formation of IANA and has been a relentless advocate for Indiana’s water, soil and farms, according to a release. Before going to Indiana American Water, Justin worked many years at Indiana Farm Bureau and was critical to leading Indiana agriculture efforts toward improving water quality in ways that also benefit and work for Indiana farmers – a true win-win opportunity. He provided key vision and leadership to the efforts that lead to the formation of IANA. His perspective and experience were invaluable as this collaboration was launched.
The Indiana Agriculture Nutrient Alliance is a broad collaboration of agriculture organizations, conservation agencies, and NGO partners that have aligned around common goals that support our mission of Healthy Soils, Clean Water and Viable Farms.
300 Hogs Donated to Oklahoma Farm Bureau Pork for Packs
A total of $8,370.84 and 322 hogs were donated to the Oklahoma Farm Bureau Foundation (OKFB) for Agriculture’s Pork for Packs program as part of the 2021-2022 Oklahoma FFA Hunger Challenge.
Pork for Packs is a collaboration between the OKFB Foundation for Agriculture, the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma and the Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma that provides protein sticks for chronically hungry children in Oklahoma, according to a release. The protein sticks are included in food-filled backpacks given to students to eat during weekends and holidays, when meals at school are not available.
“We are thankful for the students who donated animals and helped their chapters raise money for the Pork for Packs program,” says David VonTungeln, OKFB Foundation for Agriculture president. “These donations help ensure Oklahoma children have access to a nutritious protein source when school is not in session.”
The FFA Hunger Challenge encourages students to donate their animals to the program during the Tulsa State Fair and the Oklahoma Youth Expo. Chapters can also make cash contributions through adding a quarter to the price of each fundraising product sold throughout the year.
This year, Kellyville FFA – one of 142 participating chapters – was recognized as the FFA chapter with the highest monetary contribution, donating $1,500 to the program.
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