Click here for the 2012 Scholarship Application Form

The UMDIA Board Announces the 2011 Scholarship Winners
UMDIA GENE WATNAAS Scholarships:
April Johnson and Laura Weisz
UMDIA Pioneer Dairymen's Club Scholarship:
Megan Kleve

Laura Weisz

April Johnson

Megan Kleve

The 2011 Upper Midwest Dairy Industry Association scholarship winners are: April Johnson, Megan Kleve and Laura Weisz. The scholarships were set up in effort to recognize individuals pursuing education in a field that will enhance the quality and safety of dairy and food products. The Gene Watnaas scholarship was named in honor of now retired long time UMDIA General Manager Gene Watnaas recognizing his many contributions to the dairy industry. The UMDIA Pioneer Dairymen's Club Memorial Scholarship was added at the request of the club which had disbanded and entrusted UMDIA with their ending funds. The scholarship program is funded by proceeds from sales of the Fall Butter and Cheese Contest entries at the Midwest Dairy Expo. UMDIA received many outstanding applicants for this year's three $1000 Scholarship awards. The UMDIA Scholarship Committee consists of Dale Heinz, Jeff Reneau, Elaine Santi and Christa Schlosser.

Gene Watnaas Scholarship winner, April Johnson, hails from Cottonwood, MN and is a South Dakota State University Junior majoring in Dairy Production and Agriculture Education. April's passion for the dairy industry started on her family's dairy farm. April is currently the SDSU Dairy Club President and has served as Dairy Camp Co-Chair in 2010 and now in 2011, and has served in many other leadership positions with the dairy club at SDSU. April also had a lengthy 4-H career culminating in being a member of a State Champion Dairy Project Bowl team. She was active in the FFA receiving her state FFA degree and involved in many high school organizations, as well. April is exploring many career options that involve dairy promotion and/or education. She dreams of opening an educational dairy farm to provide hands-on learning experiences for those who are not directly involved in agriculture.

Gene Watnaas Scholarship winner, Laura Weisz, a native of Milaca, MN, is a University of Minnesota Junior majoring in Dairy Production with a minor in Mass Communications. Laura has had a life-long affiliation with the dairy industry. She grew up on a dairy farm; was involved in 4-H, serving as a delegate to the National 4-H Dairy Conference; she holds a state FFA degree; and has been a member of both the Junior Holstein and Guernsey Breeders Association; and she served as a Princess Kay finalist. She also has been very active at the University of Minnesota serving as Junior Editor for the Gopher Dairy Club yearbook; Beta of Clovia Education Chair; St. Paul Ambassadors; St. Paul Board of Colleges representative and Agriculture Future of America delegate and advisory committee member. Upon graduation, Laura hopes to pursue a Master's Degree in dairy nutrition, becoming a dairy nutritionist, and eventually obtaining a PhD and working in extension or at a university.

Iowa native Megan Kleve is the Pioneer Dairymen's Club scholarship winner. Megan is a Junior at Iowa State University majoring in Dairy Science - Pre-Vet. Having grown up on a dairy farm Megan has always known that she wanted to be involved in the dairy industry. Megan has been involved in ISU campus activities including: Dairy Science Club- junior dairy coalition committee member; Block and Bridle Club; Pre-Vet Club; and ACES Peer Mentor. Megan was an active FFA member being a state degree recipient and a state proficiency award winner. She was also involved in 4-H and National Honor Society. Megan plans on studying veterinary medicine and becoming a large animal veterinarian after the completion of her degree.