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Hass, Anderson win Milk Producers Cooperative scholarships

Manitowoc Milk Producers Cooperative (MMPC) awarded $24,000 in scholarships for 2010 to 17 young men and women to continue their studies in a variety of fields related to agriculture.

A dozen of the recipients were at the co-op’s annual meeting Jan. 6 to receive their awards from MMPC General Manager Dennis Donohue and District 4 Directory Kelly King.

“Our cooperative has always been a strong supporter of our youth in agriculture and by awarding scholarships we have found another way to help the dairy industry,” Donohue said.

Anthony Hass of Manawa, whose parents are Rodney and Lori Hass, received a $1,500 George Hansen Memorial Scholarship. The award is presented annually by one of eight members of the Central Milk Producers Cooperative (CMPC). Hansen guided the CMPC for more than 30 years through a continually changing federal milk marketing order.

Haas, who graduated from Little Wolf High School in Manawa last year, is currently enrolled in the Farm and Industry Short Course at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He has been actively involved in the operation of his parents’ farm through most of his life, and currently serves as feed manager coordinating rations and schedules for the dairy herd and young stock. Following college, he plans to return to the farm and help expand the operation. His goal is to increase efficiency through technology.

“In this day many people are leaving the farm, but I plan to stay because it’s something I enjoy,” he said.

Receiving $1,250 Lloyd L. Voight Memorial Scholarships (given in honor of the former MMPC manager) were Shawn Andersen of Bear Creek and Ashley Nischke of Pulaski.

A graduate of Clintonville High School, Shawn is the son of Tom and Tammy Andersen and is currently taking courses in agribusiness and science technology at Fox Valley Technical College. On the farm, he helps milk and feed cows every day, mixes feed and helps with fieldwork.

“I enjoy working with the animals, from calves up to cows,” he said. “My favorite job in the field is cutting hay because it’s so peaceful and you get to see the wildlife.”

MMPC President Randall Geiger noted that all scholarship applications are evaluated by an independent committee not affiliated with the cooperative.

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