Iowa Cattlemen’s Foundation awards four scholarships

AMES – Four Iowa high school seniors are receiving scholarships from the Iowa Cattlemen’s Foundation (ICF). Winners Reilly Martinez of Mount Ayr, Garrett Nichols from Marshalltown, Katie Tupper of Ionia and Anna Marie Ehlers from Storm Lake each will receive $1,000 from the Youth Beef Team program for their knowledge of beef and cattle production, as well as their communication skills.

Martinez and Nichols will also each receive an additional $500 because they completed an online course called Masters of Beef Advocacy, a program that provides additional training in communications and beef production.

Each scholarship candidate provided a written application, and took part in a personal interview and made a presentation on a beef industry issue during the final judging process April 2 in Ames.

“We had an excellent group of applicants for these scholarships,” said Mary Greiman, youth and outreach coordinator for ICF. “They are great representatives of our beef industry, and it is exciting and encouraging to see this caliber of young cattlemen and women going out and promoting the beef industry.”

Martinez is the daughter of Rene Martinez and Tracy Kelley. She plans on attending Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville, Missouri, where she will major in agricultural education and agricultural business. She chose this field of study because of the huge impact her Vo-Ag instructor had on her. It will also allow Martinez to continue her passion with her cow herd. Her presentation discussed the veterinary feed directive.

With these new awards, the Iowa Cattlemen’s Foundation has provided over $76,500 in scholarship support to Iowa youth since 1994. Show support for the industry and its future by making a tax deductible donation to the Iowa Cattlemen’s Foundation to ensure the continuation of our youth programs.