Winners of the 2015 Wisconsin Pork Association (WPA) youth pig project 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.
Eleven $50 scholarships were presented to: Abigail Helbach, Amherst; Blake Doran, Brodhead; Leah Huchthausen, Stoughton; Ella Lawton, Eleva; Ethan Kohlman, Plymouth; Taylor Schaefer, Franksville; Cody Matyka, Rib Lake; Samuel Jacque, Thorp; Molly Manthei, Waterford; Wanda Kunde, Oshkosh; and Jonathan Troiola, Eagle. 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. This year’s awards were sponsored in part by Graff Show Pigs, Juneau.
In addition to receiving $50 scholarships, four youth were selected to receive a $75 buying credit from participating producers. Farms donating the buying credit were: Krebs Farms, Rio; Wehrle Farms, New London; Magolski Farms, New London; and Walsh Family Farm, Beloit. The buying credit is an added benefit to the youth participating. WPA thanks the producers who donated to the program this year!
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.
