Alexis Hansen, Kinsey Harlan, and Ellie Schwertfeger Receive 2021-2022 CoBank Outstanding Student Scholarships

Alexis Hansen, Kinsey Harlan, and Ellie Schwertfeger Receive 2021-2022 CoBank Outstanding Student Scholarships

November 8, 2021 (MANHATTAN, Kan.) – Alexis Hansen of Belleville, Kansas, a sophomore in agribusiness; Kinsey Harlan of Madison, Kansas, a senior in agribusiness; and Ellie Schwertfeger of Turon, Kansas, a senior in agricultural economics have each been awarded the CoBank Outstanding Student Scholarship through the Arthur Capper Cooperative Center and the Department of Agricultural Economics at Kansas State University.

Alexis Hansen is an active member of Alpha Chi Omega and St. Isadore’s Student Center. She volunteers for Common Table and Meals on Wheels. She is passionate about agriculture and works on the family farm when not in school.  Alexis plans to graduate in May 2024 and would love to return to north central Kansas to work and be part of the family farm and ranch operations.  The Hansen family is affiliated with the following cooperatives: Central Valley Ag Cooperative, Cloud County Cooperative, and Rolling Hills Electric Cooperative. In addition, Alexis’ father worked for AgMark, LLC.

Kinsey Harlan is a member of Alpha of Clovia and has served in several leadership roles, including secretary and new member trainer. She is a member of the K-State Agricultural Economics-Agribusiness Club and has served as a delegate to the Agriculture Future of America Leader’s Conference. Kinsey works as a student assistant in the Arthur Capper Cooperative Center (ACCC) in the K-State Department of Agricultural Economics and completed an internship as a Credit/Finance Intern for CoBank. In 2019, she participated in a K-State Agricultural Economics study-abroad program to the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg. Upon graduation in December 2021, Kinsey plans to attend graduate school. The Harlan family is affiliated with 4 Rivers Electric Cooperative.

Ellie Schwertfeger is a member of the K-State Collegiate Farm Bureau and works at Dillon’s while going to school.  She is a transfer to Kansas State University from Hutchinson Community College where she was actively involved in campus activities. Ellie completed an internship with Kanza Co-op in 2019 and completed a Financial Analyst Internship Rabo AgriFinance this summer. Upon graduation in May 2022 she plans to work in agricultural finance. The Schwertfeger family is affiliated with the following cooperatives: Farmers Coop. Grain Co. (Abbyville), High Plains Farm Credit, Kanza Cooperative Association, Ninnescah Rural Electric Co-op, SCTelcom and Skyland Co-op.

“The CoBank Outstanding Student Scholarships are one way CoBank contributes to the education of future agricultural leaders, especially those with an interest in careers in finance or banking,” states Professor Brian Briggeman, director of the Arthur Capper Cooperative Center. This scholarship has awarded more than $104,000 since 2006. To be eligible for a scholarship, students must be a sophomore, junior or senior in high academic standing in K-State’s Department of Agricultural Economics at the time the scholarship is received. Preference is given to students who are studying agricultural economics or agribusiness, who have demonstrated an interest in pursuing a career in banking or finance, have taken accounting or finance classes and are residents in one of the following states: CA, CO, CT, IA, KS, KY, MO, MN, NE and TX. Continuing K-State students are encouraged to fill out the K-State scholarship application by March 15^th to be included in the university scholarship process for the 2022-2023 academic year.

The awarding of the CoBank Outstanding Student Scholarships is coordinated through the Arthur Capper Cooperative Center. “Additional contributions by those who want to support the purposes of cooperative scholarships are welcome,” Dr. Briggeman said. They should be made payable to “KSU Foundation/ACCC” and sent to the Arthur Capper Cooperative Center, Department of Agricultural Economics, 305 Waters Hall, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas, 66506.

About CoBank

CoBank is a $155 billion cooperative bank serving vital industries across rural America. The bank provides loans, leases, export financing and other financial services to agribusinesses and rural power, water and communications providers in all 50 states. The bank also provides wholesale loans and other financial services to affiliated Farm Credit associations serving more than 75,000 farmers, ranchers and other rural borrowers in 23 states around the country.

CoBank is a member of the Farm Credit System, a nationwide network of banks and retail lending associations chartered to support the borrowing needs of U.S. agriculture, rural infrastructure and rural communities. Headquartered outside Denver, Colorado, CoBank serves customers from regional banking centers across the U.S. and maintains an international representative office in Singapore.

About the Arthur Capper Cooperative Center

The Arthur Capper Cooperative Center provides research-based information, education and assistance to people with and interested in cooperative businesses, including cooperative members, directors, managers and employees. The Center also works with students and faculty at educational institutions, the general public and public officials as well as owners, directors, managers and employees of agribusinesses. Further information can be obtained about this scholarship or about establishing additional scholarships by emailing Brian Briggeman at bbrigg@ksu.edu or visiting the Arthur Capper Cooperative Center website at http://accc.k-state.edu/.

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K‑State Research and Extension is a short name for the Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, a program designed to generate and distribute useful knowledge for the well‑being of Kansans. Supported by county, state, federal and private funds, the program has county extension offices, experiment fields, area extension offices and regional research centers statewide. Its headquarters is on the K‑State campus in Manhattan. For more information, visit www.ksre.ksu.edu

Story by: Arthur Capper Cooperative Center
Department of Agricultural Economics, Kansas State University

K-State Research & Extension

Photo caption is as follows: (left to right) Dr. Brian Briggeman, ACCC Director and KSU AGEC Professor, Ellie Schwertfeger, Kinsey Harlan and Alexis Hansen at the K-State Department of Agricultural Economics Awards Banquet, September 17, 2021.

Jalen Tucker Receives 2021-2022 Matthew Kent Stamper Memorial Scholarship

November 8, 2021 (MANHATTAN, Kan.) – Jalen Tucker of Johnson, Kansas, a junior in agricultural economics at Kansas State University, has been awarded the Matthew Kent Stamper Memorial Scholarship through the Arthur Capper Cooperative Center and the Department of Agricultural Economics at Kansas State University.

Jalen is an active member of Student Mobilization, a group ministry organization. He is also a member of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars and is the videographer for his church. Jalen maintains high academic standards while also working several part-time jobs to fund his education. He works on the family farm, at BC Welding and at JP’s Sports Bar and Grill.  Jalen has a deep connection to the cooperative system. His father is the board chair for Skyland Grain and Skyland Co-op and many family members have also worked at the cooperative. Jalen plans to return to the family farm upon graduation in May 2023. He is planning to become a member of the local cooperative this year and hopes to serve on the board in the future. The Tucker family is affiliated with the following cooperatives: Golden Plains Credit Union, Pioneer Electric Cooperative, Inc., Pioneer Communications and Skyland Co-op Inc.

The Matthew Kent Stamper Memorial Scholarship was established in honor of Matt Stamper who passed away in an automobile accident on May 23, 1999 just before his 22^nd birthday.  “The scholarship was established to honor and perpetuate the memory of Matt Stamper and to encourage an interest in the operation, management, and economics of agricultural cooperatives, beef production and grain production enterprises,” states Professor Brian Briggeman, director of the Arthur Capper Cooperative Center. Over $82,000 in scholarships have been awarded from the fund since 2000.

To be eligible for the scholarship, a student must be either a junior or senior in K-State’s College of Agriculture and be affiliated with a Kansas agricultural marketing, supply or service cooperative as a member or as a child or dependent of a member. Preference is given to a student from Rooks, or a surrounding county, interested in pursuing a career in production agriculture and who is enrolled in one of the following departments: Agricultural Economics; Animal Sciences and Industry; or Agronomy.  Continuing K-State students are encouraged to fill out the K-State scholarship application by March 15^th to be included in the university scholarship process for the 2022-2023 academic year.

The Matthew Kent Stamper Memorial Scholarship is funded by contributions made to the Center’s endowment fund with the KSU Foundation. “Additional contributions by those who want to honor Matthew and support the purposes of the scholarship are welcome,” Dr. Briggeman said. They should be made payable to “KSU Foundation/Stamper” and sent to the Arthur Capper Cooperative Center, Department of Agricultural Economics, 305 Waters Hall, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506.

About the Arthur Capper Cooperative Center

The Arthur Capper Cooperative Center provides research-based information, education and assistance to people with and interested in cooperative businesses, including cooperative members, directors, managers and employees. The Center also works with students and faculty at educational institutions, the general public and public officials as well as owners, directors, managers and employees of agribusinesses. Further information can be obtained about this scholarship or about establishing additional scholarships by emailing Brian Briggeman at bbrigg@ksu.edu or visiting the Arthur Capper Cooperative Center website at http://accc.k-state.edu.

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K‑State Research and Extension is a short name for the Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, a program designed to generate and distribute useful knowledge for the well‑being of Kansans. Supported by county, state, federal and private funds, the program has county extension offices, experiment fields, area extension offices and regional research centers statewide. Its headquarters is on the K‑State campus in Manhattan. More information is available at www.ksre.ksu.edu.

Story by: Arthur Capper Cooperative Center
Department of Agricultural Economics, Kansas State University
K-State Research & Extension

Photo caption:  Dr. Brian Briggeman, ACCC Director and KSU AGEC Professor, and Jalen Tucker at the K-State Department of Agricultural Economics Awards Banquet, September 17, 2021.

Hannah Ballard, Sage Collins, Grant Holle, Ashley Hartman, Rhett Larson, Caleb Stout, Joseph Stout, Shymel Townes, Kaitlyn Urban and Paige Vulgamore Receive 2021-2022 CHS Foundation Scholarship Awards

November 8, 2021 (MANHATTAN, Kan.) – Hannah Ballard of Madison, Kansas, a junior in agribusiness; Sage Collins of Chanute, Kansas, a senior in agricultural economics and global food systems leadership; Ashley Hartman of Waterloo, Illinois, a junior in agricultural economics; Caleb Stout of Cottonwood Falls, Kansas, a sophomore in agricultural economics and global food systems leadership; Joseph Stout of Cottonwood Falls, Kansas, a senior in agricultural economics; Shymel Townes of Wichita, Kansas, a senior in agricultural economics; and Kaitlyn Urban of Louisburg, Kansas, a senior in agribusiness and spanish; have each been awarded a CHS Foundation Scholarship through the Arthur Capper Cooperative Center and the Department of Agricultural Economics at Kansas State University. Three freshmen were also awarded CHS Foundation Scholarships through the College of Agriculture at Kansas State University: Grant Holle of Bremen, Kansas, a freshman in agribusiness; Rhett Larson of Diagonal, Iowa, a freshman in agribusiness; and Paige Vulgamore of Scott City, Kansas, a freshman in agricultural economics.

Hannah Ballard serves as President of Alpha of Clovia, a 4-H cooperative leadership house. She previously served as the appointed secretary and house manager. Hannah is a member of the Agricultural Economics/Agribusiness Club and participated in the Agriculture Futures of America Conference last fall. She completed a crop insurance internship with Frontier Farm Credit this summer and works on campus as a student assistant and a teaching assistant. She also judges 4-H Oral Interpretations.  Upon graduation in May 2023, she plans to pursue a career in agriculture and give back to rural America.

Sage Collins is actively involved on campus. She serves as a leadership ambassador for the Staley School of Leadership, is a Snyder Leadership Legacy Fellow, chair of the administrative committee and class leader for Leadership 212. She was selected to be part of the Kansas Corn Collegiate Academy, Mortar Board and the Risk Management Fellows Program. Sage works as a program assistant for the Great Plains Fire Science and has completed internships with the Kansas Soybean Association and the Southwind Extension District. Upon graduation in May 2022, she plans to pursue a career in ag policy. The Collins family is affiliated with Producers Cooperative Association.

Ashley Hartman serves as an ambassador for K-State’s College of Agriculture and helps recruit new students. She is involved with the Sigma Alpha Professional Agricultural Sorority and has served as treasurer. Ashley is also involved with the Dairy Science Club and has served as secretary. She grew up working on her family farm and upon graduation in May 2023, hopes to work in the agriculture industry in an area that allows her to continue to help on the family farm. The Hartman family is affiliated with the following cooperatives: Farm Credit Illinois, Gateway FS and Monroe County Electric Cooperative.

Caleb Stout serves as a College of Agriculture Student Senator and is a member of FarmHouse Fraternity. He also serves on the Student Alumni Board and the Privilege Fee and Travel Allocation Committees. Caleb had the honor of serving as a United State Senate Page and was part of the Quest Freshman Honorary. Upon graduation in May 2024, he hopes to work in ag policy.  The Stout family is affiliated with the following cooperatives: Flint Hills Rural Electric Cooperative and Frontier Farm Credit.

Joseph Stout is a member of the K-State Alpha Zeta Honorary Fraternity. He transferred to Kansas State University from Emporia State University where he maintained high academic standards while also participating as a collegiate athlete in the football program. He is passionate about agriculture and is actively working as a ranch hand for Wildcat Ranch and as a farm hand for Rock Creek farms while attending school.  Upon graduation in December 2022, Joseph plans to work towards his dream of running his own beef production enterprise. The Stout family is affiliated with the following cooperatives: Flint Hills Rural Electric Cooperative and Frontier Farm Credit.

Shymel Townes is actively involved on campus and has served in leadership positions in Black Student Union, MANRRS, and Chimes Junior Honorary. In addition, he served on the student advisory board for Powercat Financial Counseling Services. Shymel completed an internship in finance in the supply chain team for Land O’Lakes. He volunteers in the community and works part-time for the K-State Division of Financial Services while going to school. Upon graduation in 2022, Shymel plans to pursue a career in farm credit as a loan officer.

Kaitlyn Urban serves as a K-State College of Agriculture Ambassador and has held several leadership roles, currently serving as Activities Coordinator. She is a member of Alpha Chi Omega and the K-State Agricultural Economics-Agribusiness Club. Kaitlyn also serves as a Fraternity and Sorority Life Ambassador. Upon graduation in May 2022, she plans to go to graduate school and then hopes to work in marketing/sales, commodity trading or agricultural law. The Urban family is affiliated with the following cooperatives: Central Prairie Co-op and Skyland Co-op.

“The CHS Foundation Scholarships are one way the CHS Foundation is giving back to future agricultural leaders at Kansas State University,” states Professor Brian Briggeman, director of the Arthur Capper Cooperative Center. The CHS Foundation, funded by gifts from CHS Inc., the nation’s leading farmer-owned cooperative, has awarded $192,000 in scholarships through the Arthur Capper Cooperative Center in the Department of Agricultural Economics at Kansas State University since 2006.

To be eligible for the scholarship, the students must be U.S. citizens or legal residents properly enrolled as a freshman, sophomore, junior or senior during the current academic year majoring in an agriculture-focused or ag-related STEM undergraduate program. Recipients must demonstrate academic ability and exhibit leadership qualities through the university, community or ag industry involvement. Priority is given to students demonstrating an interest in agriculture-based cooperatives. Continuing K-State students are encouraged to fill out the K-State scholarship application by March 15^th to be included in the university scholarship process for the 2022-2023 academic year.

The awarding of the CHS Foundation Scholarships is coordinated through the Arthur Capper Cooperative Center. “Additional contributions by those who want to support the purposes of cooperative scholarships are welcome,” Dr. Briggeman said. They should be made payable to “KSU Foundation/ACCC” and sent to the Arthur Capper Cooperative Center, Department of Agricultural Economics, 305 Waters Hall, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas. 66506.

About CHS Foundation

The CHS Foundation, funded by charitable gifts from CHS Inc., is focused on developing agriculture leaders for life-long success.  Together with our partners, we are advancing understanding of the ag cooperative business model, cultivating student success through university partnerships, and growing high impact ag leadership programs.  For more information on our programs, visit chsfoundation.org.

About the Arthur Capper Cooperative Center

The ACCC provides research-based information, education and assistance to people with and interested in cooperative businesses, including cooperative members, directors, managers and employees. The Center also works with students and faculty at educational institutions, the general public and public officials as well as owners, directors, managers and employees of agribusinesses. Further information can be obtained about this scholarship or about establishing additional scholarships by contacting Brian Briggeman at the same address or e-mailing, bbrigg@ksu.edu.

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K‑State Research and Extension is a short name for the Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, a program designed to generate and distribute useful knowledge for the well‑being of Kansans. Supported by county, state, federal and private funds, the program has county extension offices, experiment fields, area extension offices and regional research centers statewide. Its headquarters is on the K‑State campus in Manhattan. More information is available at www.ksre.ksu.edu.

Story by: Arthur Capper Cooperative Center
Department of Agricultural Economics, Kansas State University
K-State Research & Extension

Photo caption is as follows (back row, left to right): Dr. Brian Briggeman, ACCC Director and KSU AGEC Professor, Ashley Hartman, Kaitlyn Urban and Caleb Stout. (front row, left to right): Hannah Ballard, Paige Vulgamore, Sage Collins and Joseph Stout at the K-State Agricultural Economics Awards Banquet, September 17, 2021. Not pictured: Grant Holle, Rhett Larson and Shymel Townes