Scholarships and Recognitions Highlighted at Annua...

Iowa State University Iowa Seed Association Scholarships Recipients Recognized at 2019 Annual Meeting and Luncheon

Back row: Chris Latham, CFO Latham Seed Company; Daniel Korhonen; Michael Geissinger; Regan Pleggenkuhle; Eric Heick; John Latham, President Latham Seed Company. Front Row: Dr. Tom Brumm, ISU Agriculture & Biosystems Engineering; Yee Shuan Lai; Caryn Dawson; Karli Buckmeier; Chee Gang Ngui; Dr. Manjit Misra, Director of ISU Seed Science Center Not Pictured: Rachel Nordhoff; Tucker Gabriel

Eleven scholarships were given to ten Iowa State University (ISU) College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) students at the 2019 Agribusiness Showcase & Conference on February 13, in Des Moines, Iowa.  Eight Iowa Seed Association (ISA) Scholarships of $1,000 each were awarded. One of ISA awarded students were selected as the Manjit Misra Outstanding Senior Scholar and received an additional $500 scholarship. The $1,000 Bill Latham Memorial Scholarship and the $1,000 Lisa Shepherd Jenkins Memorial Scholarship were also awarded at the ISA ceremony.

This ISA scholarship competition is awarded based on academic excellence, leadership skills, interpersonal skills, and interest in a career in the seed industry or seed science.

2019 Scholarship Recipients

1. Karli Buckmeier is from Saint Michael, Minnesota and is a senior in Agricultural Systems Technology with an emphasis in Machine Systems.  She is an undergraduate student assistant at the ISU Seed Testing Laboratory, where she receives samples from customers, processes and records them into the computer system, both before and after testing is completed.
2. Caryn Dawson is from Palmer, Iowa and is a junior with a double major in Global Resource Systems and Horticulture with a double minor in Animal Science and Spanish.  She is an undergraduate student assistant at the ISU Seed Laboratory working on seed germination projects.
3. Daniel Korhonen is from Radcliffe, Iowa and a senior with a double major in Agronomy and Seed Science. He has worked as a lab assistant in the ISU agronomy, soils, and organic crops labs, as a crop scout at Central Ag Consulting in Valley City, North Dakota, and in warehouse worker for Champion Seeds of Iowa.  Upon graduation, he would like to work alongside farmers as an agronomist for a seed company or as a crop consultant.
4. Chee Gang Ngui is a student from Puchong, Malaysia and a senior with a double major in Horticulture (food crop production and management) and Seed Science and a minor in Food Science and Industry.    He has worked as an undergraduate research assistant in fruit crops in Dr. Cochran’s lab, and as a field inspector for Bayer, in Iowa.
5. Rachel Nordhoff is from Boone, Iowa and a junior with a double major in Agricultural Studies and Agronomy. After meeting ISU Seed Science Center employees at a farm expo, she decided to apply for an undergraduate assistant position at the lab.  She says that the job was a career-changing experience.  She would like the opportunity to complete summer internships in the seed industry and find a job in seed and agronomy sales upon graduation.
6. Regan Pleggenkuhle is from Waucoma, Iowa and a sophomore with a double major in Agronomy and Seed Science.  He grew up on his family farm where he was involved in all aspects of the row crop and hog farming operation. It was his childhood experience which forged his interest in agriculture as a career.
7. Tucker Gabriel is from Eudora, Kansas and a senior in Agricultural Engineering with a minor in Ag Business.  He is an undergraduate student research assistant at FloMetrix where he tests seed flow sensors and the measurement repeatability for the company.
8. Michael Geissinger is from Marshfield, Wisconsin and a senior with a double major in Agronomy and Animal Science.  His interests in seeds stems from widely diverse job opportunities in the seed industry, from sales to genetics, and from research to technology transfer.

Manjit Misra Outstanding Senior Scholar

Michael Geissinger is also the recipient of the 2019 Manjit Misra Outstanding Senior Scholar $500 Scholarship. In his application, he states: “The key to feed 9.6 billion people in 2050 will be understanding the physiology of the seed and maximizing its potential to be grown into harvestable crops that can be used for (food), feed, fuel, and fiber”

He completed internships as forage management at WinField-United in Wisconsin and as Seed Sales rep in Ohio, and has worked as undergraduate research assistant in Dr. Singh’s soybean breeding program, and as Agronomy Intern at the Agricultural Research Station of the UW-Madison in Stratford, WI.

He received the American FFA Degree, Wisconsin FFA Star in Ag Business awards, and ISU Agronomy Academic fellowship; and was elected National SASES member relations officer.  He is also Vice President of the ISU Agronomy club.

He seeks a career as a district seed sales manager specialized in alfalfa seed.  He believes his diversified academic and internships background makes him uniquely qualified to attack the complex seed problems and their relation to food and feed.

Bill Latham Memorial Scholarship

Eric Heick was chosen as the 2019 recipient of the 4^th annual Bill Latham Memorial Scholarship for $1,000. Heick is from West Branch, Iowa and a junior pursuing a double major in Agronomy and Seed Science. He is interested in a career in the areas of seed genetics and seed conditioning. He is an undergraduate student assistant in Alan Gaul’s seed conditioning program at the Seed Science Center.

Latham was a former president of the Iowa Seed Association, the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA), and the Independent Professional Seed Association (IPSA).  He was also the former president of his family company, Latham Seed.  Bill passed away on July 31, 2015.

Lisa Shepard Jenkins Memorial Scholarship

Yee Shuan Lai from Malaysia was chosen as the third annual Lisa Shepherd Jenkins Scholar.  Yee is a senior in Ecology and currently works at the ISU Seed Testing laboratory as an undergraduate assistant in germination and seed health testing.

She also works as a research assistant in Arabidopsis haploid induction at Dr. Lübberstedt laboratory in Agronomy Hall.  She plans to pursue a master’s degree in seed science.  The $1,000 Lisa Shepherd Jenkins Memorial Scholarship is awarded by the ISU Seed Science Center to an undergraduate student engaged in seed science and seed technology.

Shepherd Jenkins served as Seed Health Testing Coordinator for the Seed Science Center and as Director of the Administrative Unit of the National Seed Health System. She also headed one of the most active phytosanitary seed testing programs in the country and served as a chair on committees for both the American Seed Trade Association and the American Phytopathological Society.

Lisa passed away on July 1, 2015.

About the Seed Science Scholarships

This scholarship competition is open to students in any major in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) at Iowa State University, and scholarships are awarded on the bases of four criteria:

1. Academic excellence,
2. Leadership skills,
3. Interpersonal skills, and most importantly,
4. Demonstrated interest in a career in the seed industry or seed science.

Selection Committee members include:

Dr. Barb Clawson, Horticulture

Dr. Mark Gleason, Plant Pathology & Microbiology

Dr. Tom Brumm, Ag. & Biosystems Eng.

Dr. Susana Goggi, Agronomy & Seed Science Center, & Committee Chair

left to right: ISU CALS Dean Daniel Robison, Rachel Nordhoff of Boone, and Dr. Tom Brumm, Professor ISU ABE

View more photos on the Iowa Seed Facebook page

Download 2019 ISA Scholarship handout from the event.

RSVP for ISA Cover Crop Workshop

Iowa Seed Association Cover Crop Workshop

Time & Location

Iowa Seed Forum & ISA Annual Meeting

Wednesday, February 13, 2019

9:00 AM – 12:00 PM

PRE-REGISTRATION – $100*
ON-SITE REGISTRATION – $125*

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

2019 Registration Includes:

• Two-Day Admission to the 2019 Agribusiness Showcase & Conference & admission to the trade show floor
• Admission to the All Industry Reception on Tuesday, February 12
• Admission to all free educational sessions Wednesday, February 13
• Pancake breakfast on Wednesday, February 13 – exclusive raffle ticket
• All Industry Luncheon on Wednesday, February 13

The Iowa Seed Association continues their partnership with the Agribusiness Showcase & Conference offering ISA members the opportunity to attend a wider variety of workshops and network with all facets of the ag industry. The ISA Annual Meeting & Seed Forum will be held on Wednesday, February 13, from 9 am to Noon. ISA Annual Meeting & Seed Forum will also host the ISA Scholarship Award Recognition Ceremony and an Amazon Echo Raffle (must be present to win).

Meeting Agenda:

9:00 – 9:15 a.m. 
Morning Plenary Session – Room D
– Keynote Speaker: Iowa Dep. Sec. of Ag Julie Kenney

9:10 – 11:00 AM
Identifying Resources in Conservation Planning
– TBA, Conservation Information Technology Center

11:00 – 11:15 a.m. 
ISA Annual Meeting – Room A
− Jim Webster, ISA President
− Recognition of ISA 2019 Honorary Member
Iowa Seed Corn Cover Crop Initiative Project Update
− Shannon Moeller, ISA Project Coordinator

11:15 – 11:30 a.m. 
ASTA Update
− John Latham, Latham Hi-Tech Seeds, President

11:30 a.m.  – Noon 
Quality Seeds to Feed the World: ISU’s role in serving the seed industry in Iowa and worldwide
− Dr. Manjit Misra, Seed Science Center – ISU, Director

Noon 
– (1) Amazon Echo Raffle

Noon – 1:30 p.m.
All Industry Luncheon on Showcase Floor
-Keynote Speaker: Daniel Robinson, Dean, Iowa State University – College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (invited)
ISU Scholarship Recognition
-2018-2019 Iowa Seed Association ISU Scholarships &
– Bill Latham ISU Scholarship recipients recognized

2018 ASC Summer Workshop & Field Day

Did you attend the Agribusiness Showcase & Conference in Feb? If so, you could save $25 on regular admission to the Summer Workshop & Field Day!

Gain additional insights on data use and collection at the Summer Workshop & Field Day on August 1. Experts will join us at Kirkwood Community College to share their experiences with data collection and usage, alternative forage crops, nitrogen management options, and building soil health. A full day of insights you can take to the field. Earn 6 CEUs!

PRINTABLE FLYER 
PRINTABLE REGISTRATION FORM – EMAIL TO AAIAGRIBIZORG
SESSION DETAILS

VIEW EVENT WEBSITE: WWW.AGRIBIZSHOWCASE.COM/CCA

Schedule

8:30 AM – Registration
9:00 -11:55 AM – Field Day Demonstrations
Noon – Lunch at Horticulture Hall
1:00 – 3:55 PM – Afternoon Workshop Sessions

Workshop Field Demonstrations Include:

• Unique Forage Blends and Feed Values
• Precision Planting Technology
• Nitrogen Management Trial Evaluation
• N Application Variances in Well Water
• Spatial Analysis of Farm Data
• Cover Crops to Improve Soil Health

Cost & Registration

2018 AICMC Participant = $50
($25 discount for all attendees who attended the winter conference on Feb 13-14, 2018)

All other Attendees = $75

Location

Registration is in the Horticulture Hall building on the Kirkwood Community College Campus
Address: 6301 Kirkwood Blvd SW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52401

Field Day Location is at the Iowa Equestrian Center
Address: 801 76th Ave Dr. SW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404

The morning sessions are to be held outside of the Equestrian Center. Lunch and afternoon session are in the Horticulture Hall building. Locations are in close proximity and shuttling will be available between locations.

Parking & Entrance

Participants can either park in the Horticulture Hall lot or the west lot of the Equestrian Center. Use the main entrance to each building.

Cancelations

No refunds will be available after Wednesday, July 25, 2018, after 5:00 PM. If you need to update or cancel your registration please email aaiagribizorg  (aaiagribizorg)   by July 25.

2018 ISA Golf Tournament Results!

Palle Pedersen Named 2018 Honorary Member

During the annual Seed Forum hosted by the Iowa Seed Association (ISA), the ISA board of directors recognized Palle Pedersen as the 2018 ISA Honorary Member. The association annually partners with the Agribusiness Showcase & Conference (ASC) in Des Moines to provide attending members a wider range of learning and networking opportunities.

Palle is responsible for the management of the overall Seedcare product marketing team in the United States. Prior to joining Syngenta in 2010, Palle was an associate professor at Iowa State University where he coordinated and provided state leadership in soybean production and management. Palle has his Ph.D in agronomy from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and an International Executive MBA from Fuqua School of Business at Duke University.

Dana Stubbendeck, 2017 ISA President (left) presents Palle Pedersen (right) with a 2018 ISA Honorary Member Plaque.

The ASC is a two-day conference and trade show that encompasses many facets of the ag industry, including seed. The ISA board encourages the membership to attend the forum each year as it gives a unique learning opportunity that is focused on the seed industry. The 2017 panel of speakers included: Ag Economics – Dr. Alejandro Plastina, ISU; Cover Crops – Bert Strayer, La Crosse Seed; Dicamba Rules & Regulations – Chuck Spencer, Growmark; Iowa Legislative Update – Mike Naig, IDALS; and ASTA Updates – Bill Belzer, DowDuPont.

ISA Scholarship Recipients Recognized

This year, six Iowa Seed Association (ISA) Scholarships of $1,000 each were awarded. One of these students, Skyler Brazel, was also selected as our “Manjit Misra Outstanding Senior Scholar,” and he received $500 in addition to the $1,000 ISA scholarship. For the third year, the ISA will also award the $1,000 “Bill Latham” Memorial Scholarship in his honor. Bill was a former president of the Iowa Seed Association, the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA), the Independent Professional Seed Association (IPSA), and was a former President of his family company, Latham Seed.  Bill passed away on July 31, 2015.

For the second time, the “Lisa Shepherd Jenkins” Memorial Scholarship has been awarded by the ISU Seed Science Center to an undergraduate student engaged in seed science and seed technology. The $1,000 scholarship honors Shepherd Jenkins who served as Seed Health Testing Coordinator for the Seed Science Center and as Director of the Administrative Unit of the National Seed Health System. Lisa headed one of the most active phytosanitary seed testing programs in the country and served as a chair on committees for both the American Seed Trade Association and the American Phytopathological Society.  Lisa passed away on July 1, 2015.

Pictured above (from left to right): Seed Science Center Director Manjit Misra, Shannon Latham, Agronomy Professor Susana Goggi, Taylor Davis, AnnaMarie Condon, Skyler Brazel, Governor Kim Reynolds, Savannah Jones, Daniel Korhonen, Jack Pieper, and Michael Tupper. (Jennifer Meyer was not present.)

Setting up for Success with Cover Crops – Tw...

The Bill Latham & Lisa Shepherd Jenkins Memor...

During the Agribusiness Showcase & Conference (ASC) the Iowa Seed Association (ISA) recognized seven ISA Scholarship recipients during the All Industry Luncheon on Wednesday, February 15 in Des Moines, IA. The scholarships are $1,000 each. One of these students, Catherine Leafstedt, was also selected as our “Manjit Misra Outstanding Senior Scholar,” and will receive $500 in addition to the $1000 ISA scholarship. We also are happy to award another $1,000 scholarship sponsored by the American Seed Trade Assoc. (ASTA).

This year ISA will also award a $1000 “Bill Latham” Memorial Scholarship in his honor. Bill was former president of the Iowa Seed Association, the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA), and Independent Professional Seed Association (IPSA), and former President of his family company, Latham Seed Company.  Bill passed away on July 31, 2015.

The Lisa Shepherd Jenkins Memorial Scholarship is being awarded for the first time this year by the ISU Seed Science Center to an undergraduate student engaged in seed science and technology. The $1,000 scholarship honors Shepherd Jenkins who served as Seed Health Testing Coordinator for the Seed Science Center and Director of the Administrative Unit of the National Seed Health System. Lisa headed one of the most active phytosanitary seed testing programs in the country and served as a chair on committees for both the American Seed Trade Association and the American Phytopathological Society.  Lisa passed away on July 1, 2015.

The scholarship competition is open to students in any major in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) at Iowa State University, and scholarships are awarded on the bases of four criteria:

1. Academic Excellence,
2. Leadership Skills,
3. Interpersonal Skills, and most importantly,
4. Demonstrated Interest in a career in the seed industry or seed science.

The Selection Committee members are:

Dr. Barb Clawson- – Horticulture
Dr. Mark Gleason – – Plant Pathology
Dr. Tom Brumm – – Ag. & Biosystems Eng.
Dr. Russ Mullen – – Agronomy
Dr. Susana Goggi – Agronomy & Seed Science Center, and Committee Chair

The Scholarship Committee and CALS greatly appreciate the generosity, in the form of the scholarship funds, and the great measure of support given to ISU and the College, by the Iowa Seed Association and the American Seed Trade Association. We also appreciate the leadership of Dr. Manjit Misra, Seed Science Center Director and Seed Science Endowed Chair.

The student recipients will be announced in alphabetical order (by their last names).  The ASTA scholarship, the “Outstanding Senior Scholar,” the “Bill Latham Scholar,” and the “Lisa Shepherd Jenkins Scholar” will be introduced last.  I will present an abbreviated version of their accomplishments.  For a complete list of their accomplishments, please read one of the brochures printed by ISA.

Iowa Seed Association Scholarship Recipients

Kelsey Baumhover
Carroll, IA
Daughter of Dave and Patty Baumhover.

Kelsey is a Senior double-majoring in Agronomy and Seed Science. Her goal is to become an Agronomist and return to western Iowa to be close to family and friends. Kelsey hopes to use her knowledge and passion for agriculture to benefit crop production while protecting our natural resources. She is a biological science aid with the vegetable seed research group at the USDA North Central Plant Introduction Station and a summer intern with the Iowa Crop Improvement Association. Kelsey is a member of the Freshman Council, Agronomy Club, and the College of Ag and Life Sciences’ Beginning Farmers Network, where she is CALS Representative and Publicity Chair. She has also participated in the travel abroad program, and has studied the crops and soils of Costa Rica. Kelsey has accepted a position as Distribution Manager with Remington Seeds and will serve as Soybean Field Supervisor for their Carroll location.

Skyler Brazel
Tiskilwa, IL
Son of  Carl Brazel.

Skyler is a Senior double-majoring in Horticulture, Research Option, and Global Resource Systems. He holds an undergraduate research assistantship in Horticulture and works as ISU Dining Supervisor. Skyler has completed summer internships with Bailey Nurseries in Oregon and with the E.A.R.T.H. program in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Skyler is a member of the Pi Alpha Xi National Academic Honor Society in Horticulture, a member and Communication Officer of the Mid-America Collegiate Horticulture Society, and is Secretary and Poinsettia Committee Chair of the ISU Horticulture Club.  He has completed study abroad programs in China, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Costa Rica. He has also been on the ISU Dean’s list throughout his academic career. Upon graduation, Skyler is interested in pursuing a graduate degree. His career goal is to use his skills to fight hunger and food insecurity worldwide.

Taylor Davis
McLean, IL
Son of Darren and Angie Davis.

Taylor is a Sophomore in Ag Biosystems Engineering. He became interested in agriculture at a young age on his family farm where he decided to study ag engineering as a result of his love for mathematics and his passion for agriculture.Tyler is an Executive Board member and Finance Manager of Pi Beta Phi Fraternity where he performs the duties of budgeting, record keeping, and paying bills. He is also a member of the Community Engagement Committee for ISU Engineers’ week and former Academic Chair for Oak-Elm Residence Hall Council. He has also participated in community activities such as ISU Polar Bear’s Plunge to raise funds for Iowa Special Olympics; has worked with Habitat for Humanity; and has participated in Snow Cones for Seuss, a philanthropic service facilitated through the Greek community.Tyler’s career goal is to improve modern agricultural production by working in the seed industry to help improve the “field to table” delivery system.

Ashley Dean
Murray, IA
Daughter of Autumn and Daniel Dean

Ashley is a Senior majoring in Agronomy, Agroecology Option, and Seed Science. She has completed an undergraduate research assistantship on a corn defoliation project under the mentorship of Drs. Goggi and Christian, and is teaching assistant for five Agronomy undergraduate courses. Ashley also has completed three internships; as a Research Technician at Easton Agri-Consulting, and as an Insect Trait Development and Sales Intern for DuPont Pioneer. Ashley is the recipient of other academic-based honors. She was named an ISU Freshman Cardinal Scholar and earned Academic Recognition scholarships, and an Agronomy Academic Fellowship. She was also inducted into the ISU Chapter of National Society of Collegiate Scholars, and named an ASA-CSSA-SSSA Golden Opportunity Scholar. Upon graduation, Ashley plans to “continue her journey” by attending Graduate School in Entomology at ISU.

Haleigh Summers
Urbana, IL
Daughter of Tim and Jessica Summers

Haleigh is a Senior double-majoring in Agronomy and Seed Science. While at ISU, she has served as a TA for Agronomy courses, has worked in the ISU Plant Transformation Facility maintaining corn cell cultures for transformation, has conducted undergraduate research in Pat Schnabel’s lab, and has served as a Plant Breeding and Product Development Intern for Beck’s Hybrids. Haleigh has received many scholarships and honors, including the Champaign County Farm Bureau Scholarship, Agronomy Academic Fellowship, and ISA and Manjit K. Misra Outstanding Senior scholarships. She is a member and former Vice President of the ISU Agronomy Club, and participates in ISU’s Honors Program and the Intercollegiate Crops Team. She has also been a member of the Agronomy professional and scientific societies (ASA-CSSA-SSSA) for the last 2 years, where she presented results from her undergraduate research project in 2014 and was named 2016 ASA-CSSA-SSSA Golden Opportunity Scholar. Haleigh’s long-term career goal is to help farmers adopt environmentally friendly management practices, like cover crops, while maintaining profitability.

Savannah Jones
Palmyra, IN
Daughter of Keith and Christine Jones

Savannah is a Senior majoring in Agronomy and Genetics. She has conducted undergraduate research under the mentorship of Drs. Maria Salas and Steven Cannon, and has been a Plant Breeding Intern for Beck’s Hybrids at Marshalltown, IA. Savannah has participated in the ISU Honors Program and Women in Science and Engineering (WISE). She has also received the ISU Award for Competitive Excellence, Agronomy Academic Fellowship, the E. Marjorie Smith and Garland Beck Ag. Scholarship, the Mary K. Phillips Scholarship in Plant Science, and the Minard G. Mills Memorial Scholarship in Agriculture. She was also a recipient of the “Building Our Future” Harrison County Community Foundation Scholarship. Savannah’s career goal is to conduct research in plant genetics and to use non-transgenic tools in plant breeding for developing improved cultivars.

2017 ISA & Manjit Misra Outstanding Senior Scholarship

Catherine Leafstedt
West Des Moines, IA
Daughter of Jon and Carla Leafstedt

Catherine is a Senior double-majoring in Agronomy and Global Resource Systems. She has research experience with ISU Plant Pathology, DuPont Pioneer, and Monsanto. She has traveled with a World Food Prize International Internship program to the International Potato Center in Peru, has completed research for the African Biofortified Sorghum project, and in summer 2017 she will travel to Northwest Africa as an ag intern for Context Global Development where she will participate in two Gates Foundation-funded projects. Catherine has received many awards and scholarships, including the 2015 ISA and 2016 ASTA scholarships. She has participated in the University Honors Program, ISU President’s Leadership Class, Freshmen Council, and World Food Prize Iowa Youth Institute, and has served as a WFP Student Rep for Iowa STEM Day at the Capitol. She also is a National Merit Scholar and a Cargill Global Scholar. Catherine’s many extracurricular activities include Campaign Volunteer in the “Branstad-Reynolds,” “Romney for President,” and “Marco Rubio for President” campaigns, as well as being the winner of the 2015 College Republicans-Caucus Cup Debates on Biotech Food Labeling and Campaign Finance Reform. She was selected as an Iowa Republican Party County delegate (2014) and County, District, and State delegate (2016). She is also a former member and Social Media Chair for “Meals from the Heartland” Student Leadership Board and was a Valley Church nursery volunteer and after-school group leader for disadvantaged youth. Catherine is interested in using her education and experiences at ISU to become an effective advocate of agricultural innovations and global food security for subsistence farmers worldwide.

2017 Bill Latham Scholarship

Leah Ellensohn
Le Mars, IA
Daughter of Nicki and Eric Ellensohn

Leah is a Senior double-majoring in Agronomy and Seed Science. She has worked in many different jobs at the ISU Seed Science Center, helping in the germination, trait testing, seed health, and purity labs. She has also worked as GIS tech for the ISU Daily Erosion Project, as TA for Agronomy 154 – soils, as an Emerging Leader for the Land O’Lakes the Global Food Challenge, and as an intern for Sitzmann Family Farms. Leah has been Editor-in-Chief and Business Manager for the ISU Soil and Water Conservation Club, and has participated in several capacities in the ISU Block and Bridle Club. She is also a member of the Agronomy Club, Women in Agronomy Club, and is a team leader for “Destination Iowa State.” She has received many scholarships and honors, including the 2016 ICIA scholarship, 2014-2015 ISU Academic Recognition Award, and the 2012 Governor’s Leadership Award, among others.

Leah aims to graduate summa cum laude (she would like to see a star by her name in the graduation program). Upon graduation, Leah would like to pursue a career in seed sales. Her long-term career goal is to advance professionally to industry jobs where she can apply her interest in seed sales and seed science.

ASTA Scholarship

Sarah Striegel
What Cheer, Iowa
Daughter of Michael and Suzette Striegel

Sarah is a Senior double-majoring in Agronomy and Agricultural Education. She grew up in a small family farm raising corn, soybeans, and livestock. Sarah was not interested in Agronomy until she took Agronomy 114 in the spring of her freshman year. Since then, she has added Agronomy to her double-major, is a TA in Agronomy 114, and has held seed production internships with DuPont Pioneer and Monsanto. Sarah is recording secretary of the ISU Agronomy Club, Corn Grower’s Club Treasurer, Alpha Gamma Delta International Women’s Fraternity’s Alumnae Relations Coordinator, and an Alpha Zeta Agriculture Honors Fraternity member. She is active in AFA and gives campus tours to prospective students in her role as Student Admissions Rep. She was in the top 2% in CALS academically during her freshman year, was on the Dean’s list for five semesters, and took part in Iowa State’s Honor Program. She has received the 2016 American Society of Agronomy (ASA) Greenfield Award and the 2016 Gamma Sigma Delta Honor Society of Agriculture Award, among others. She has also completed an ISU travel abroad course to Costa Rica and a Global Compassion Network trip to Haiti. After graduation Sarah would like a career as a Seed Production Agronomist and Certified Crop Advisor working for the seed industry.

Seed Science Center “Lisa Shepherd Jenkins” Scholarship

Anthony “Tony” Moellers
West Union, IA
Son of Jason and Lori Moellers

Tony is a Senior double-majoring in Agronomy and Seed Science with a minor in Ag Business. He grew up on his family farm, and his passion for the seed industry stems from his experiences in FFA, AFA, and his father’s work as an independent seed dealer for Stine Seed Company. Tony has held several agronomy sales’ internships with Farmers Cooperative Company, Mycogen Seeds, and Dow AgroSciences. He has worked at the Iowa State University Seed Testing Laboratory in the seed germination lab and as TA for Agronomy 114. Tony has been recognized as AFA National Scholar, Mid America CropLife Association Young Leader, and was named a Royal Scholar by the American Royal Association. He is a member of the ISU Ag Marketing and Management Organization, the Agronomy Club, and is a former member of the ISU Ag Business Club. He is also a former Vice President of FFA and has received ISU Academic Recognition and National Honors Society membership. Tony will start his career as an Eastern Iowa Sales Representative for Mycogen Seeds and Dow AgroSciences. He plans to use his knowledge to recommend to farmers seed that will provide a sustainable source of income while protecting the environment.

ISA Recognizes Honorary Member at Seed Forum

Tom Tusha (Left), Mycogen Seeds, 2017 ISA President, presents the 2017 ISA Honorary Member plaque to Rick Burseh (Right), Region Manager at Wyffels Hybrids, Inc.

During the annual Seed Forum hosted by the Iowa Seed Association (ISA), the ISA board of directors recognized Rick Buresh as the 2017 ISA Honorary Member. The association annually partners with the Agribusiness Showcase & Conference (ASC) in Des Moines to provide attending members a wider range of learning and networking opportunities. The ASC is a two day conference and trade show that encompasses many facets of the ag industry, including seed. The ISA board encourages the membership to attend the forum each year as it gives a unique learning opportunity that is focused on the seed industry. The 2017 panel of speakers included: GMO Answers by Ruth MacDonald, ISU; Iowa Legislative Update by Dave Tierney, Monsanto; ASTA Update by John Latham, Latham Hi-tech Seeds; Pollinator Health by Palle Pedersen, Syngenta; it also included topics presented on the WQI Cover Crop Grant and Noxious Weeds.