Supporting the development of the future leaders in agriculture is part of the Select Sires Member Cooperative (SSMC) culture, priorities, and cooperative responsibility. Together, the organization can and will do more to support higher education, advancing knowledge, and building future talent for the industry.
The SSMC Board of Directors offers scholarships to those pursuing a higher education from member-owner families. A total of $40,000 was awarded to 23 students throughout the 27-state cooperative. Applications were evaluated based on academics, activities, leadership, an essay, school transcripts, a personal video, and future plans. Applicants must reside in SSMC territory and be enrolled in a two- or four-year college or university during the fall semester of 2025. Students studying agriculture who have a desire to remain in the agricultural industry, especially the dairy and/or beef industries, are given highest priority.
Top District Recipients
Students are ranked on a point system and the top students are awarded scholarships. Special recognition is given to the top individual in each of the five board districts. The top district recipients are Melody ZumBrunnen, Addison Wemark, Shane Griffith, Victor Martins, and Laine Mulcock.
Melody ZumBrunnen of Wyoming is the District 1 top recipient. Agricultural Communications is the focus of Melody’s studies at the University of Wyoming. Currently a sophomore, Melody competes on the university’s track and field team while maintaining a perfect 4.0 G.P.A. She was active in 4-H, FFA, and the American Angus Association®. Melody handles the communication and promotion of her family’s beef operation. Her future plans include working as an extension agent while maintaining close ties to the family ranch.
District 2’s recipient is Addison Wemark of Iowa. She studies Dairy Science at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville (UWP). She also has a minor in Agribusiness. Addison served as Winneshiek County Dairy Princess. At UWP, she is secretary of the Pioneer Dairy Club, Vice President of Sigma Alpha (professional agricultural sorority), and a member of the Agribusiness Club. Additionally, she served as a tri-chair for the American Dairy Science Association (ADSA) meeting. Her plans are to return to the home dairy farm and work as a herdsperson.
Shane Griffith of Ohio is the District 3 recipient. Shane will study Dairy Science and Agronomy at The Ohio State University – Agricultural Technical Institute (OSU-ATI). He is from Adena, Ohio. Shane was class valedictorian and was in the National Honor Society. His leadership included 4-H and fair board offices, as well as serving as a 4-H counselor. Shane also participated in Concert Band. Upon graduation, he plans to expand the home dairy operation as a sixth-generation dairy producer.
California’s Victor Martins is the District 4 recipient. He attends Modesto Junior College (MJC) in California and studies Agricultural Business and Agricultural Sciences. He is from Oakdale, Calif. At college, Victor is a member of the Young Farmers Club. He also serves as an usher at his church. After receiving his A.I. technician certification and graduating from MJC, he plans to become the fourth generation to work on the dairy, alongside his dad and uncle.
District 5’s recipient, Laine Mulcock hails from Abernathy, Texas, and plans to become a large animal veterinarian. She will attend Texas A&M University-College Station to study Animal Science. Raised on a beef cattle operation, Laine was involved in several ag youth activities including 4-H and FFA, and the meats judging team. Her awards include FFA Lone Star Award, three-time Agriscience Proficiency Award, and state 4-H Champion in Veterinary Science Skill-A-Thon. Laine’s leadership and public speaking skills were utilized as an FFA officer, Texas 4-H Ambassador and Vice President, Student Council, and President of the Spanish Club.
Additional Scholarship Recipients
Other scholarship winners include District 1‘s Mackenzie Malson from Idaho and Claire Sheehan from Washington. Mackenzie Malson is a senior from Parma, Idaho, and studies Agricultural Economics and Global Food Systems Leadership at Kansas State University. Claire Sheehan calls Sunnyside, Wash., home and will study Field Crop Management/Crop Science at Washington State University.
District 2 winners include Maleah Demmer from Iowa and Hailey Qual from North Dakota. Recipients from Minnesota include Conlan Carlson, Max Heieie, Katie Ketchum, and Kallista Tveten.
A freshman studying Agricultural Business at Kirkwood Community College in Iowa, Maleah Demmer calls Dundee, Iowa, home. From Lisbon, N.D., Hailey Qual will study Agricultural Business and Land Valuation at South Dakota State University. Conlan Carlson, a South Dakota State University student, will study Precision Agriculture and Aviation. He is from Pennock, Minn. Calling Brooten, Minn., home, Max Heieie will study Agricultural Equipment Mechanics at Ridgewater College in Minnesota. From Altura, Minn., Katie Ketchum is a senior majoring in Agricultural Education at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls. Kallista Tveten, from Winona, Minn., is a freshman at Northeast Iowa Community College and is majoring in Agricultural Business and Beef Science.
Delana Erbsen from Illinois, Ohio’s Isabel Martig and William Seedorf, along with Pennsylvania’s Aimee Curtis were District 3 winners.
Senior Delana Erbsen attends Iowa State University, majoring in Dairy Science. Freshman Isabel Martig is majoring in Animal Science on a Pre-Veterinary track at The Ohio State University. Construction Management is the major of William Seedorf. This senior is from Deshler, Ohio, and attends The Ohio State University. Aimee Curtis starts her first year studying Animal Science at Penn State University and is from Corry, Penn.
California has a pair of winners, Austin Terra and Anneka Vander Woude for District 4. Austin is a senior at Oklahoma State University and majors in Animal Science/Production and Operations. Anneka Vander Woude is from Merced, Calif. She will study Agriculture Business at Dordt University in Iowa.
In District 5, winners included Thomas Palla of New Mexico, Addison Kennedy, and Colton Steinert from Oklahoma, and Makayla Osinga from Texas. Thomas Palla, Clovis, N.M., is a sophomore studying Animal Science with a Pre-Veterinary focus at Oklahoma State University. Addison Kennedy will attend Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College to major in Pre-Veterinary Medicine. Freshman Colton Steinert, Enid, Okla., will study Agricultural Communications at Oklahoma State University. Makayla Osinga, a junior from Hico, Texas, majors in Agribusiness at Tarleton State University in Texas.
Select Sires Member Cooperative (SSMC) was established on October 1, 2023, representing the Select Sires federation in 27 U.S. states and the country of Mexico. SSMC delivers excellence in personalized service, quality offerings, and cattle genetics. They are committed to expanding knowledge and providing professional development opportunities for their team. This promise ensures the highest quality service to their members-owners while enhancing the team’s growth and experience. Select Sires Member Cooperative operates as a true cooperative while striving to inspire the excellence of producers, herds, and communities. To learn more about SSMC, visit ssmcoop.com.
