March 19, 2024

Humeston student wins $2,000 AKSARBEN AG Leaders Scholarship

OMAHA, Neb. — The AKSARBEN Foundation announced 50 students from a seven-state region as the 2016 recipients of an AKSARBEN AG Leaders Scholarship. Together the students will receive $100,000 in recognition of their contributions to the agricultural tradition of the Heartland.

“The AG Leaders Scholarship program is designed to provide scholarships annually to youth who have participated in our stock show but never had the opportunity to participate in the Purple Ribbon Auction,” said Kevin Kock, executive director of AKSARBEN Agriculture Initiatives. “These students are leaders and by supporting their passion we hope to keep as many of them as possible leading our rural communities.”

Nearly 1,200 4-H Exhibitors from a 10-state region take part in the AKSARBEN 4-H Stock Show each year. Each AG Leaders Scholarship winner is a high school senior and 4-H Exhibitor who has participated in the stock show for three or more years.

The scholars also plan to attend a two or four year college or university and have expressed interest in pursuing a career related to agriculture or a non-agriculture career within a rural community.

Scholarships are at the core of AKSARBEN Foundation’s mission. Founded in 1895, the non-profit organization based in Omaha, Neb., funds and guides best practice, needs-based scholarship programs for Heartland youth, awarding over $1 million annually.

AKSARBEN Foundation President Jon Burt said the organization is proud of its newest group of AG Leaders Scholarship recipients and thankful for the generosity of its members.

“AG Leaders not only exemplifies the Foundation’s commitment to scholarships and agriculture,” Burt said. “It further demonstrates our mission of giving back to the community and moving forward Heartland prosperity.”

2016 AKSARBEN AG Leaders Scholarship recipients from Iowa are Justin Beeson from Correctionville; Jackson Bishop from Indianola; Josh Carlson from Gowrie; Lindsay Crock from Mechanicsville; Heath Downing from Creston; Abigail Galm from Spencer; Clarabell Knapp from Bloomfield; Lakota Larson from Jefferson; Breet Leer from Humeston; Denton Ohlrichs from Merrill; Brandon Pettit from Prole; Andrew Reed from Derby; Aaron Suhr from Waukee; Emma Troyer from Kalona; Ward Umbaugh from Adair; and Hayden VanMeter from Red Oak.

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Established in 1895, AKSARBEN Foundation represents the premier employers in Nebraska and western Iowa. AKSARBEN Foundation works as a unified network to influence change for the betterment of youth, the economy and Heartland communities.

They advance their mission to leverage collective business leadership to build a more prosperous Heartland by funding and guiding best practice, needs-based scholarship programs, awarding over $1 million annually; promoting the Heartland’s cultural heritage through top-ranking community celebrations, attended by over 100,000 annually; and honoring community leaders who carry on the Heartland’s tradition of philanthropy and volunteerism.