Each year, the Illinois Pork Producers Association offers scholarships to students pursuing a higher education degree, at a two or four-year institution, who have an interest in the pork industry. Recipients are selected based on activities, IPPA involvement and an essay outlining the ways to recruit new hires to the pork industry, focusing on high school students, college students or people already in the workforce.
“We had a record number of applicants this year for our IPPA scholarship and continue to be impressed by the ambition and effort from these young men and women,” says Chad Leman, IPPA president. “It is vital that we continue to reach out and recruit the best and the brightest people to get involved in pork production.”
IPPA is proud to offer nine awards for the 2023-2024 school year, totaling $13,500. There are three levels of award dollars: gold, silver and bronze. Funding for these scholarships is made possible through the Wilbert and Carol Keppy Foundation.
Gold level recipients, who are receiving a $2,000 award are: Haley Bode of Waterloo, Carter Daniel Hoge of Macomb, and Jared Dawkins of Beach Park.
Silver level recipients, who are receiving a $1,500 award are: Madisen Winter of Kewanee; Halie Kohl of Herscher, and Gage Miller of Cambridge.
Bronze level recipients, who are receiving a $1,000 award are: Hailey VanOpdorp of Geneseo, Emma Frank of Atkinson, and Carlie Mettler of Highland.
“These nine scholarship recipients excel in advocating for agriculture, especially the pork industry,” says Lana Shovlin, director of communications for IPPA. “We look forward to meeting new faces each year, supporting their education, and getting them involved in our organization for years to come.”
Source : National Hog
