EQUITY ANNOUNCES SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS
BARABOO, WI – Equity Cooperative Livestock Sales Association is pleased to announce
Andrew Otto, Amanda Poff, Eric Ronk, Michael Colle, Joseph Ploeckelman, Bethany Wohlk,
Benjamin Klinkner, Serena Lawfer, Kayla Dolan, and Amanda Myers as their 2009 scholarship
recipients.
The $500 cash grants are awarded annually to individuals who have completed at least
two semesters at a post secondary college, university or technical school; have achieved a cumulative
grade-point-average of 3.0 or above; and the applicant or their parent(s) are active members
of Equity Cooperative Livestock Sales Association. One recipient was selected in each of
Equity’s 10 districts.
District I – Johnson Creek/Arlington
Andrew Otto is the son of Glen and Mary Otto, Princeton, Wis. He is attending the
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, majoring in ag industries and marketing, with an animal
science minor. Andrew hopes to work in corporate agriculture before returning home to take over
the family farm.
District II – Lomira
Amanda Poff is the daughter of Ray and Sue Poff, Oshkosh, Wis. She is attending the
University of Wisconsin-River Falls, studying elementary education. Upon graduation, Amanda
would like to become a fourth grade teacher in Wisconsin so she can continue to teach the importance
of agriculture while continuing her own sheep operation.
District III – Reedsville
Eric Ronk is the son of Tom and Peggy Ronk, Denmark, Wis. He is attending the University
of Wisconsin-Madison, studying dairy science. Eric hopes to work in an agricultural business
following graduation, as well as owning a hobby farm to raise show animals.
District IV – Bonduel/Marion
Michael Colle is the son of Mike and Sue Colle, Luxemburg, Wis. He is attending the
University of Wisconsin-River Falls, studying animal science, while minoring in chemistry.
Eventually, Michael would like to attend medical school and become a doctor in a rural community.
He also hopes to take over his parent’s farm with his two younger brothers and continue to
raise Simmental cattle.
District V – Stratford
Joseph Ploeckelman is the son of James and Debra Ploeckelman, Athens, Wis. He is attending
the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, majoring in dairy science and pre-vet. Joseph
plans to apply to veterinary school and become a practicing veterinarian. He’d also like to start
his own herd of high type dairy cattle and remain active in flushing embryo donor cattle.
District VI – Altoona/Barron
Bethany Wohlk is the daughter of Glen and Susan Wohlk, Almena, Wis. She is attending
the University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse, majoring in elementary education with a social studies
minor. After teaching for a few years, Bethany also wants to earn her master’s degree in professional
development. Along with teaching, she has an interest to coach competitive sports and stay
involved in the agricultural industry.
District VII – Sparta
Benjamin Klinkner is the son of Paul and Geralyn Klinkner, Cashton, Wis. He is attending
the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, studying animal science. Upon graduation, Benjamin
is considering becoming an animal nutritionist or meat plant inspector. He also has not ruled
out returning home to continue milking cows and raising hogs.
District VIII – Monroe
Serena Lawfer is the daughter of Ron and Julie Lawfer, Kent, Ill. She is attending the
University of Wisconsin-Platteville, studying animal science with an emphasis in pre-veterinary
medicine. Serena will be attending vet school at the University of Illinois this fall. Serena has
worked at both small and large animal veterinarian clinics.
District IX – Richland Center
Kayla Dolan is the daughter of Paul and Mary Dolan, Dodgeville, Wis. She is attending
the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, studying animal science and pre-veterinary medicine.
Following graduation, Kayla plans on applying to veterinary school to specialize in large animal
medicine. Upon completion of vet school, she would like to establish herself within a southwestern
Wisconsin clinic.
District X – Waukon
Amanda Myers is the daughter of Michael and Teresa Myers, Waukon, Iowa. She is attending
Iowa State University, majoring in animal science with a pre-vet emphasis. Amanda will
be applying to vet school this fall at Iowa State University. Upon receiving her DVM she would
like to practice in a rural area in Iowa.
“Equity notes the importance the cooperative places on youth who have demonstrated
leadership skills with agricultural backgrounds to serve as future leaders,” says Chuck Adami,
President and CEO. All applications were judged through a panel from the Cooperative Network.
Adami emphasizes, “working together, we continue to build new programs and services for the
benefit of all our producers.”
Equity Cooperative Livestock Sales Association is a federated cooperative, owned and
operated by 34 shipping associations and governed by a 10-member regional board of directors.
Each shipping association functions as a separate cooperative with their own board of directors.
Headquartered in Baraboo, Equity manages 11 Wisconsin auction markets and one in Iowa, and
is Wisconsin’s largest livestock marketing agency assisting producers with the marketing, managing
and financing of their agricultural businesses.
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