Winners of the 2016 Wisconsin Pork Association (WPA) youth pig project scholarships were announced recently. The Wisconsin Pork Association Youth Committee created the program to assist youth in developing pork production projects for 4-H or FFA. The goal is to encourage youth to become involved in the Wisconsin pork industry, offering opportunities to develop life skills and showcase career opportunities available within the industry.
Thanks to many generous sponsors, the WPA Youth Committee was able to award twenty-two $50 scholarships this year. Those receiving scholarships were: James Meyer, Rice Lake; Addison Strunz, Prairie du Sac; Matthew Fischer, Manitowoc; Gabriel Helbach, Amherst; Alex Falkowski, Ringle; Hunter Liebe, Amherst Junction; Madelyn Nigbor, Berlin; Christopher Gunst, Pine River; Cathryn Gunst, Pine River; Jacob Matyka, Rib Lake; Aiden Sperle, Cambridge; Brett Jones, Wautoma; Zackery Nelson, Alma Center; Marie Prodell, Algoma; Kelsie Bramstedt, Newton; Samantha Nigbor, Berlin; Tyler Van Patten, Burlington; Sierra Koski, Loyal; Jacob Pronschinske, Independence; Briana Arnold, Black Creek; Jennifer Hinkel, Franklin; and Hanna Schlesser, Arcadia. The scholarships are awarded to youth in three age categories and are to be used to offset the costs associated with their pig project for the upcoming show season.
The 2016 Youth Pig Project Scholarships were made possible in part by the following sponsors: Vita Plus; Clothier Genetics; Giese Show Pigs; Goplin Show Pigs; Graff Show Pigs; Hardyman Family Show Pigs; J&M Genetics; Krebs Farms; Magolski Farms; Marzahl Prospects; Monson Show Pigs; Robert Walstra & Family; and West Central WI Show Pig Sale.
To apply, Wisconsin youth submitted a Pig Project Scholarship request to WPA which addressed the following areas: project goals, simple budget for the project, Meat Animal Quality Assurance certification date, future goals as they relate to the pork industry, and a paragraph stating why the Wisconsin Pork Association should select them for the Youth Pig Project.
For more information on the Youth Pig Project, contact the Wisconsin Pork Association at 1-800-822-7675, or go to our website at www.wppa.org/youth-pig-project.
