Kansas Corn Hands Out Collegiate Honors at Annual Symposium

During the Kansas Corn Symposium, Kansas Corn recognized students who excelled in its collegiate programs. Fifteen college students who received 2020 Next Generation Scholarships and six Kansas Corn Collegiate Academy Class Two graduates were honored. These programs are part of an effort by the Kansas Corn Growers Association and Kansas Corn Commission to provide opportunities for college students of all majors to learn more about the corn industry, explore issues facing agriculture and embrace the ways they can impact the industry through their future career paths.

2020 Next Generation Scholarship Winners
To be considered, students became student members of the Kansas Corn Growers Association, attend college in Kansas and complete the application process. Applications for both programs were reviewed by a committee of Kansas Corn leadership and industry representatives.

“Our scholarship program recognizes outstanding students who are already making contributions to agriculture and have great potential as experts farming or providing support to our industry,” says Greg Krissek, Kansas Corn CEO. “Corn plays a big role today in Kansas agriculture and these recipients’ impacts hold great promise for our future success.”

Full list of 2020 Kansas Corn Next Generation Scholarship Recipients:

·        Tatum Brunkow, Wamego, KS, Fort Scott Community College, Associate in Agriculture Economics

·        Adrian Correndo, Buenos Aires, Argentina, Kansas State University, Doctorate in Agronomy

·        Sophie Filbert, Macksville, KS, Kansas State University, Bachelors in Agronomy

·        Allayna Hanson, Concordia, KS, Kansas State University, Bachelors in Agriculture Economics

·        Claudia Hissong, Greencastle, Pennsylvania, Kansas State University, Masters in Agriculture Economics

·        Maria Kimzey, Fredonia, KS, Kansas State University, Bachelors in Agriculture Economics

·        Kate Langworthy, Silver Lake, KS, Washburn University, Juris Doctorate

·        Jayden Meyer, Smith Center, KS, Kansas State University, Bachelors in Agriculture Economics

·        Eli Ohlde, Clyde, KS, Kansas State University, Bachelors in Agribusiness

·        Katelyn Pinkston, Clay Center, KS, Kansas State University, Bachelors in Agriculture Education

·        Carlos Pires, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, Kansas State University, Doctorate in Agronomy

·        Pedro Rossini, Canelones, Uruguay, Kansas State University, Masters in Agronomy

·        Zoe Shultz, Grainfield, KS, Fort Hays State University, Bachelors in Agriculture Business

·        Colton Sutterby, Savonburg, KS, Kansas State University, Bachelors in Agribusiness

·        Mardi Traskowsky, Herington, KS, Kansas State University, Bachelors in Milling Science and Management and Agricultural Economics

Collegiate Academy Class 2 Graduates Recognized
Members of the second Collegiate Academy class were recognized at the Kansas Corn Symposium for completing their program. Over four sessions, participants focused on ethanol, livestock, trade, policy, education, agronomy, conservation and consumer engagement. After the completion of the fourth session, the students completed a capstone project.

The first session of the Collegiate Academy gave students insight on the livestock industry, highlighting the traceability efforts in Kansas, and also on important water and environmental issues facing Kansas corn farmers. The academy spent a day in at the State Capitol in Topeka as their second session, where they learned about the role government plays in the agriculture industry. The third session took place in the agribusiness hub, Kansas City, to learn more about the ethanol industry, trade and consumer relations. During the fourth session, the collegiate academy visited Washington D.C. where they attended National Corn Growers Association’sCorn Congress, a semi-annual delegate session for the organization, along with other industry meetings.

“The academy opened my mind to the all that this industry has to offer and gave me a new appreciation for everything Kansas corn farmers face on a daily basis,” says Allayna Hanson, Collegiate Academy Class 2 graduate. “Whether I join the industry after graduating college this spring or go back to work on my family’s farm, I will carry this experience with me. I had the opportunity to witness first-hand how organizations like Kansas Corn make an impact on policy and market development to better our industry.”

Kansas college students enrolled in 2-year or 4-year post-secondary schools are eligible to apply. For more information on the collegiate academy and other collegiate programs visit kscorn.com/corn-on-campus/

Collegiate Academy Graduates:

·        Allayna Hanson, Concordia, KS, Agricultural Economics

·        Maria Kimzey, Fredonia, KS, Agricultural Economics

·        Eli Ohlde, Clyde, KS, Agribusiness

·        Colton Sutterby, Savonburg, KS, Agribusiness with minor in Agronomy

·        Ashley Swaim, Delia, KS, Agronomy

·        Mardi Traskowsky, Herington, KS, Milling Science and Agricultural Economics