Minnesota Pork Board has announced its college scholarship recipients for the 2024-25 school year. Five emerging agricultural leaders will each receive $1,000 scholarships to further their education.
This year’s scholarship winners are Ava Schoenfeld of Lake Benton, Baleigh Peterson of Gibbon, Ella Thome of Adams, Lincoln Becker of Fairmont, and Megan Meyer of Rollingstone.
Ava Schoenfeld
Ava is an upcoming freshman at South Dakota State University studying agribusiness and animal science and minoring in agricultural communications. On campus, she plans to be involved in Little International, SDSU Block and Bridle, and an SDSU sorority. Ava’s future plans after college are undecided, but she would like to explore the public policy side of agriculture as well as the junior show industry.
Baleigh Peterson
Baleigh is an upcoming senior at the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities studying agricultural communication and marketing with a minor in animal science. On campus, Baleigh is a member of Beta of Clovia Sorority, Block and Bridle Club, Gopher Dairy Club, and the Agricultural Education, and Communication & Marketing Club. Upon graduation, Baleigh hopes to find a career that allows her to communicate with farmers and work to educate consumers on agricultural practices through events, writing, and various digital mediums. She also looks forward to continuing to help my fiancé and his family on their crop and livestock operation
Ella Thome
Ella is an upcoming senior at the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities studying agricultural communication and marketing with minors in animal science, international agriculture & agricultural and food business management. On campus, Baleigh is a member of Beta of Clovia Sorority (Vice President), Block and Bridle Club (Swine Chair), Ag Business Club (Industry Relations Chair), Ag Ed Communications and Marketing Club, and Gopher Dairy Club. Upon graduation, Ella hopes to work directly with pig farmers helping to make their lives on their farms a bit easier each day.
Lincoln Becker
Lincoln is an upcoming sophomore at North Iowa Area Community College (NIACC) studying agriculture business. He is involved on campus as a baseball student athlete. After completing his degree at NIACC, he plans to transfer to a four-year university to broaden his knowledge and skills within agriculture business. Upon graduation, Lincoln plans to return to the family farm and be a leader in the pig industry.
Megan Meyer
Megan is an upcoming senior at the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities studying agricultural communication and marketing with minors in animal science & agricultural and food business management. On campus, Megan is involved in the Gopher Dairy Club, Beta of Clovia sorority, Agricultural Education, Communication and Marketing Club, National Agri-Marketing Association, and the dairy judging team. Megan also is the communication assistant for the Real Pork Trust Consortium. Upon graduation, Megan hopes to work in a sales role for a dairy or swine pharmaceutical company.
Congratulations to these talented students!
About Minnesota Pork Board
Minnesota Pork Board (MPB) is funded by the 3,000 pig farming families in Minnesota and offers unique value to farmers and consumers through research, education, and promotion of pork.
