FCS, Kentucky Cattlemen name heifer initiative winner
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The winners of the Kentucky Youth Heifer Initiative – the program which awarded $1,000 to three students who best answered an essay question “Why I would like to have my own beef heifer” – were announced last month during the Kentucky Cattlemen’s Assoc. (KCA) annual convention.

The competition was sponsored by the KCA and Farm Credit Services of Mid-America.  It recognized winners in three age divisions 1) ages 9-13; 2) ages 14-17 and 3) ages 18-21.  One winner in each division was selected as winner based on the originality from the essay writer. 

John Daniel Day, of Muhlenberg County won the age 9-13 division; Auburn Anderson of Pulaski County was selected the winner of the age 14-17 division and Walton Grider of Hardin County won the age 18-21 division.   Winners will use their earnings to purchase heifers from Kentucky Cattlemen’s Assoc. members.   Winning essays can be found on FCS’s website, www.e-farmcredit.com

Joel Oney, regional vice president of Farm Credit in Lexington, Kentucky, said the two agriculture organizations launched the initiative last May with the objective to help ensure Kentucky’s youth continue to have a vested interest in the cattle industry. “It’s a great way to support the members of the Kentucky Cattlemen’s Association. It also creates a good base of youth who could be future members of the association and are involved in and maintain the cattle industry,” he said. 

Oney added that Farm Credit was delighted to fund and support the initiative.  “Each year, we allocate funds for projects that advance our stewardship mission to support youth and young farmer groups. This program supports both, in terms of the KCA as well as the youth who are so vital to the future of Kentucky’s farm and cattle industry.”

Indiana Beef announces Sennett Farms Scholarship
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — The Indiana Beef Cattle Assoc. (IBCA) is now accepting applications for the second annual Sennett Farms Cattle Company Scholarship. The $500 scholarship is being made possible through the generous donation of Clark Sennett, owner of Sennett Farms Cattle Company in Waynetown, Ind. It will be available to residents of Indiana who plan to attend a two or four year college or university. Applicants must be from a family that is actively involved in beef production and are current IBCA members.
In addition, applicants must be an existing college student majoring in agriculture or a high school senior planning to major in agriculture. The inaugural scholarship recipient in 2009 was Courtney Dickerson of Martinsville.

In order to apply, candidates must complete an application form and write an original essay about: “A Significant Challenge to the Beef Industry”. Applications will be available by contacting the IBCA office or on the website at www.indianabeef.org Completed entries must be postmarked no later than May 1.

The association will administer the program, read the essays and select the winners. Essays will be judged on the basis of clarity of expression, persuasiveness, originality and relevance of the topic. A winner will be announced in June of 2010. For an application, contact the IBCA office at 317-293-2333.

Angus Foundation presents scholarship opportunities
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. — The Angus Foundation and American Angus Auxiliary are providing several scholarship opportunities to Angus youth pursuing undergraduate and graduate degrees.
The Angus Foundation will offer two $5,000 scholarships given in memory of former American Angus Association executive vice president Richard “Dick” Spader. In addition, a number of $3,000 scholarships and $1,000 scholarships will be awarded.

As in past years, other specific and special criteria scholarships administered by the Angus Foundation will also be available.
Eligible Angus youth meeting the qualifications for the Angus Foundation’s 2010 Undergraduate and Graduate Scholarship Programs will be considered by the Angus Foundation’s Scholarship Selection Committee.

The American Angus Auxiliary will also award scholarships to qualifying graduating high school seniors. Juniors must first be chosen as a state auxiliary scholarship winner before advancing to the national competition. Check with state scholarship contacts for specific state association deadlines.

The postmark deadline for American Angus Auxiliary and Angus Foundation scholarship applications is May 1. Scholarship recipients will be recognized at the 2010 National Junior Angus Show (NJAS) in Denver, Colo.

For more information regarding American Angus Auxiliary scholarships, visit  or contact Auxiliary Scholarship Chair Barbara Ettredge at1001 Berend Rd., Pilot Point, Texas 76258; or 940-686-2958.

For more information regarding Angus Foundation scholarship opportunities, visit  or contact Milford Jenkins, Angus Foundation president, at 816-383-5100. 
Visit www.angusfoundation.org for more information.