ECC awards 12 Hamilton agriculture scholarships

IOWA FALLS — Twelve high school seniors have been selected to receive Bob and Arlene Hamilton Excellence in Agriculture scholarships to attend Ellsworth Community College (ECC) in Iowa Falls for the 2016-17 academic year.

The scholarships, worth $5,000 each, are awarded to qualifying students entering one of ECC’s production agriculture-related degree programs.

The FY17 Hamilton Scholarship recipients are Lane Boender of Delta, Justin Devin of Knoxville, Lauren Dirksen of Hampton, Morgan Ferguson of Brayton, Madison Hoch of Algona, Ryan Larson of Armstrong, Jade Lecy of Grand River, Seth Miles of Radcliffe, Blake Ohm of New Hampton, Shane Poppens of Aplington, Zebulen Webb of Sigourney and Justin Wright of Montrose.

Considerations for the scholarships include intending to major in a production agriculture-related program, having a good academic record and demonstrating community involvement and leadership abilities. The Bob and Arlene Hamilton Agriculture scholarships are designed for students entering ECC’s agribusiness, agriculture transfer, animal science, farm management, geographical information systems/GIS, precision agriculture, renewable energy technology or swine management programs. These awards were made possible through an endowed scholarship given by Bob and Arlene Hamilton to the Ellsworth College Foundation.

Lane Boender, a 2016 graduate of Sigourney High School (SHS), is the son of Justin and Michelle Boender. He grew up helping on the family farm and, for the past two summers, built grain bins for C&J Builders in What Cheer. He is a four-year member of the Sigourney FFA Chapter and has held the offices of sentinel and officer-at-large. He also received his Iowa degree. He has wrestled and played football at SHS. Boender intends to major in agribusiness and farm management at ECC and hopes eventually to work at Vision Ag or Crop Production Services while managing his own farm.

Justin Devin, a 2016 graduate of Knoxville High School, is the son of James and Amy Devin. He grew up helping on his dad’s farm and has been active in 4-H and high school football, basketball, wrestling, baseball and trap shooting. He is a member of the National Honor Society and has been his 4-H club’s president since 2010. Devin plans to major in farm management, find a career with opportunities for advancement, buy an acreage and farm on the side.

Lauren Dirksen, a 2016 graduate of Hampton-Dumont High School, is the daughter of Todd and Brandy Dirksen. She is a fifth-generation cattleman who works with, has purchased and cares for her own cattle herd, and is an active member of FFA, having judged numerous livestock contests throughout Iowa. She has been employed at the Hampton Veterinary Center and has worked for the past four years for Dirksen Livestock and RS Cattle Company; she also assists with the daily care of 6,600 feeder pigs. Dirksen is a nine-year member of 4-H, has held many offices within her club and has served on the Youth County Council for the past three years. During high school, she has also been involved with vocal and instrumental music and cheerleading. She plans to major in agribusiness and animal science at ECC, then transfer to Iowa State University in Ames. She plans to pursue a career in government civil service, increase her cow/calf operation, work on the family farm and be involved in local and state agriculture groups and associations.

Morgan Ferguson, a 2016 graduate of CAM High School, is the daughter of Bryan and Shellie Ferguson. She grew up on a farm and has helped with the family’s bottle calf and red Angus cow/calf operations. She has three horses, is currently completing an internship for the Anita Vet Clinic and is an active member of FFA and 4-H, holding offices in both groups. She has also completed several community service projects during high school and been involved in band, golf and shooting sports. She plans to major in animal science and would like to work as a veterinary assistant with the local clinic while starting her own cow/calf operation.

Madison Hoch, a 2016 graduate of Algona High School, is the daughter of Nick and Tracie Hoch. She helps with chores at her grandfather’s farm, has worked as a lifeguard and currently works as a dietary aide at Good Sam. During high school, she has been involved with volleyball, track and field, basketball, softball and band. She is a four-year member of FFA and has participated in AAU volleyball. She plans to major in agriculture transfer at ECC, then complete her degree at Iowa State University. She would like to work in an agriculture-related position somewhere in northern Iowa.

Ryan Larson, a 2016 graduate of North Union High School, is the son of Bruce and Diane Larson. He grew up on the family farm and has helped with cattle and crops. This year, he completed an internship at a local precision agriculture management business. He is an active member of FFA and participated in baseball, basketball, football and golf during high school. Larson plans to major in precision agriculture at ECC, then work in that field after graduation, helping on the family farm and eventually taking over the family farm.

Jade Lecy, a 2016 graduate of Murray High School, is the daughter of Galen and Shannon Lecy. She has helped with all aspects of the family farm, including the cattle operation and her own livestock. She has been in FFA for four years, holding many offices, and was awarded the Star Farmhand and Chapter Farmer. She is a member of the National Honor Society and has participated in 4-H and high school band, volleyball, basketball and student council. She has volunteered for many community projects, as well. Lecy plans to major in agribusiness at ECC, complete a bachelor’s degree, buy some land and raise cattle.

Seth Miles, a 2016 graduate of South Hardin High School, is the son of Rick and Kim Miles. He has always worked on the family farm, helping with chores, field work and fixing machinery; he also works for a nearby cattle farmer. He is an active member of FFA and 4-H and has worked on several community service projects. Miles plans to major in agribusiness and animal science at ECC, then expand his own cattle operation.

Blake Ohm, a 2016 graduate of New Hampton High School, is the son of Brett and Lavonne Ohm. He has worked on the family farm and neighboring farm operations for several years and is currently participating on a work experience program at Mid Tech Services in New Hampton, which sells and installs GPS units in various types of equipment. He is an active member and officer of FFA and has participated in football and basketball during high school. Ohm plans to major in precision agriculture at ECC and would like to own and operate his own business after graduation.

Shane Poppens, a 2016 graduate of Aplington-Parkersburg High School, is the son of Thomas and Brenda Poppens. He grew up on the family farm and helps with a variety of the field production responsibilities. In addition to his involvement with FFA, he has participated in football, wrestling, soccer, golf, track and field, co-ed dance team and has worked on several community service projects. Poppens plans to major in farm management at ECC and work on the family farm after graduation.

Zebulen Webb, a 2016 graduate of Sigourney High School, is the son of Chris and Shannon Webb. He says he was “born knowing how to drive a truck and tractor and how to raise livestock.” He is active in 4-H and FFA, as well as participating in football, wrestling and track; he’s a volunteer coach for area youth sports teams. Webb plans to major in farm management at ECC and work on the family farm after graduation.

Justin Wright of Montrose, a 2016 graduate of Central Lee High School, is the son of Shayne Wright and Julie Love. He has worked three seasons with a local diversified crop producer and at a dairy farm, as well as being active in FFA. His high school activities have included National Honor Society, being an officer in FFA and football, track and field and soccer. He also earned his Eagle Scout Award in 2013. Wright plans to major in agriculture transfer at ECC and complete a degree in agricultural engineering at Iowa State University. He plans to get a job and hopes to own and operate his own farm.

Ellsworth Community College agriculture students take most of their coursework in the Ag and Renewable Energy Center, located just south of Iowa Falls and adjacent to the Ellsworth Equestrian Center. The 17,753-square-foot agriculture facility has classrooms, a conference room, business incubator labs and biotechnology lab. ECC’s newest agriculture program is mobile service technician, which will train students to service and repair all kinds of ag equipment either at the farm or in the field.

For more information about Ellsworth Community College, contact the ECC admissions office at 1-800-322-9235 or 641-648-8524. Additional information can be found on the college website at http://www.EllsworthCollege.com.