Meet ACN’s 2024 Scholarship Recipients
The Future Ag Communicators Committee is excited to announce this year’s two Ag Communicators Network scholarship recipients: Kesley Holdgrafer and Jackie Miller, both agricultural communications seniors at Iowa State University.
Holdgrafer and Miller will interview in-person at the Ag Media Summit in Kansas City for the top scholarship named in honor by Dr. James Evans ($3,000) and made possible by an endowment from ACN member Lyle E. Orwig. The runner-up will receive the Past Presidents’ Scholarship ($1,500), which is made possible through donations to the ACN Professional Improvement Foundation.
Meet the Dr. James Evan’s Scholarship Recipient
Kesley Holdgrafer
Hometown: Bryant, Iowa
College: Iowa State University
Double Major: Agricultural Communications and Public Relations
Expected Graduation: May 2025
What are your summer plans?
This summer, I’m excited to join Vermeer Corporation as a Forage Product Marketing Intern. My role involves engaging in a variety of marketing activities and event planning. I’ll be working closely with the forage brand experience team to develop and implement campaigns that highlight our forage products. This includes but is not limited to creating promotional materials, supporting event logistics, and engaging with dealers, customers, and the press.
I am looking forward to contributing to Vermeer Corporation’s goals while gaining insights into the forage industry and refining my marketing expertise. Growing up, my summers were always surrounded by hay season, actively involved in our family’s custom baling business. Even though this summer will look a little different than my summers spent in a tractor baling hay, I am thrilled to channel my passion for forage into this exciting internship!
What are your career goals?
Agriculture is my whole life. It is all I have ever known. Living on our cattle, corn, soybean and hay farm has taught me countless life lessons. One thing I was always told was if you wanted to know just how hard a farmer works, look at their hands.
When I look at my dad’s hands there is a lot to see. For starters, they are usually covered in something, whether it’s dirt from the fields, grease from equipment, corn dust from checking the bins, or possibly even manure from working cattle. However, when I look at his hands, I do not see rough, cracked and calloused hands. I see a story.
My dad’s hands are the first to feel the heart of a newborn calf. His hands freeze multiple times year after year from cruel winters as he breaks ice from frozen waters so his livestock can drink. They grip tractor steering wheels for hours as he makes countless trips across fields. His hands are not only working hard on the farm. Those same exact hands have held and raised his four kids. Those hands are the ones first in line to give me a high five and hug after each one of my accomplishments. Those hands give and give and give. They work tirelessly to not only feed our family, but they also help feed the world. A lot can be told by a farmer’s hands. It is my goal in life to tell that story.
As an agricultural communications and public relations major at Iowa State, I am making it my mission in future endeavors to advocate for this extraordinary industry. I want to share with the world the amazing story of the American farmer. I do not know where I will end up or what my exact title will be for my future career or what organization or company I will work for, but one thing I do know is that my main career goal will always be to always be a strong and passionate advocate and communicator for the agriculture industry.
What does it mean to you to be a scholarship finalist?
Receiving this scholarship is an immense honor for me. It signifies recognition of my dedication and hard work in the field of agricultural communications, an area I am deeply passionate about. This scholarship not only acknowledges my academic achievements and leadership roles but also validates my commitment to making a positive impact in the agricultural community. However, it also pushes me to want to do more.
Is there anything else you’d like to share?
Feel free to check out my website to learn more! It is http://www.kesleyholdgrafer.com/
Meet the Past Presidents’ Scholarship Recipient
Jackie Miller
Hometown: Maquoketa, Iowa
College: Iowa State University
Major: Agricultural Communications
Expected Graduation: December 2024
What are your summer plans?
This summer I am serving as a U.S. Farm Animal Retail Sales intern for Elanco Animal Health in Columbia, Missouri.
What are your career goals?
Upon graduation in December, I plan to begin my Master’s in International Agriculture at Oklahoma State University. Through this experience, I will have the opportunity to study abroad. Long-term, I desire to pursue a career for a larger company within marketing, sales, and international public relations.
What does it mean to you to be a scholarship finalist?
I am blessed to be recognized for my experience in the agricultural communications and marketing industry by such a core organization, like Agricultural Communicators Network. My personal and professional experiences in the agricultural communications industry have made an instrumental impact on me. This opportunity of being honored by ACN is so special. To my industry connections, mentors, and dear friends within agricultural communications, thank you for motivating and inspiring me to become my best.
Is there anything else you’d like to share?
This past school year, I participated in the Iowa State University National Student Exchange Program (NSE) at Oklahoma State University. Through this opportunity, I was able to experience OSU’s agricultural communication program. It is pretty special to say I have such an appreciation for two gracious communities at two universities.
Past Recipients
2023 Recipients
The Future Ag Communicators Committee is excited to announce this year’s two finalists for the 2023 Ag Communicators Network scholarships: Lydia Johnson, Iowa State University, and Michelle Stangler, University of Wisconsin-River Falls.
Johnson and Stangler, both seniors, rose to the top of an exceptional group of 14 student applicants for this year’s Ag Communicators Network scholarships. They will interview in person at the Ag Media Summit for the top scholarship named in honor of Dr. James Evans ($3,000). The runner-up will receive the Past Presidents’ Scholarship ($1,500).
We encourage you to say “hello” and “congratulations” to Johnson and Stangler at Ag Media Summit and to engage with all students in attendance. Small connections can make a big difference in a student’s educational and career trajectory.
Meet Lydia Johnson
Lydia Johnson grew up on a farm in Iowa where she and her family raise sheep, goats and hogs and grow corn and soybeans. Through her upbringing, Johnson developed a strong passion to serve “as a reliable, factual source of information in the agricultural industry,” she said in her application.
“One of the largest issues in our world, and particularly within agriculture, is the excess of information available at all times,” Johnson explained. “What is correct? Who can I believe? How should I make the best production decisions? Being a native to the industry has allowed me a unique position to understand and serve the needs of farmers and industry leaders.”
Johnson has pursued an assortment of internships and educational opportunities focused on broadcasting, policy, and marketing. This past spring, Johnson interned in Washington, D.C., as an Agri-Pulse Communications Immersive Learning Intern, through which she provided balanced coverage of agriculture policy news. You may have seen Johnson’s work on Agri-Pulse’s website or heard her audio segments for the daily Drive-Time podcast and the RFD-TV show, Agri-Pulse Newsmakers.
She has also worked as the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship Communications Intern, WHO Radio Farm Broadcasting Intern, National FFA Organization Broadcast Desk Intern, and Nationwide Agribusiness Market Intern – and that’s not all! Be sure to visit Johnson at AMS to learn more about her well-rounded resume.
“I have profound respect for Lydia as an individual,” said NAFB Executive Director Tom Brand. “Her positive attitude, moral character, strong work ethic, and drive to do the job right are consistently evident every time I see her. In the last 30-plus years working with students at National FFA Convention and through NAFB, few students have impressed me as much as Lydia Johnson. She is a team player, genuinely cares for those around her, is compassionate, and a hard worker.”
Johnson is working as a policy intern at Torrey Advisory Group-an agriculture and food-focused lobbying and strategic communications firm-in Washington, D.C., this summer.
Meet Michelle Stangler
In 2022, after seeing a campus-wide need for agricultural communications opportunities for students at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, Michelle Stangler co-founded the college’s Agricultural and Natural Resources Communications Club, a chapter of the National Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow (ACT) organization. Stangler also serves as the 2022-2023 National ACT President while growing her collegiate chapter’s membership.
As National ACT president, Stangler leads monthly officer meetings to ensure national goals are met and students understand how the organization can enhance their professional development. She also gained national sponsorships to ensure future success and growth for the organization, incentivize membership, and grow programming for students across the nation.
“Additionally, I am part of several other clubs including serving as a reporter of the Collegiate Farm Bureau chapter,” Stangler added. “I began an Instagram account and email newsletter to create consistent communication by having members be more informed and have increased involvement at events. Likewise, being part of many clubs and projects on campus to advance my learning and help grow other people is a core value of mine.”
Growing up on a dairy farm in Wisconsin, Stangler has always had a strong desire to tell the story of agriculture across a variety of mediums. Her experiences include Farmer Communications Intern for Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin, Freelance Broadcaster and Writer for Positivity in Ag Communications, and a Marketing and Events Intern for Sound Agriculture. Prior to college, Michelle served as Wisconsin FFA State Vice President.
“It’s a rare occurrence that you come across a standout student like Michelle,” said Daiton Donkers, Senior Field Marketing Associate at Sound Agriculture. “Her drive, knowledge, and passion for agricultural communications are unmatched. Michelle is an intelligent and motivated individual who demonstrated a great deal of maturity and work ethic during her time with us. She was able to quickly understand complex concepts and demonstrated strong analytical skills when approaching new problems.”
Stangler is working with Progressive Dairy in Idaho this summer as an editorial intern.
2022 Recipients
Nurturing and investing in our youth are goals of the Agricultural Communicators Network (ACN). We reach these objectives by providing annual scholarships and internships. Through these opportunities, we strive to recognize the very best students and support them in their endeavor to join our profession.
Established by the National Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow (ACT) in 1993 and adopted by AAEA in 2004, these scholarships are awarded to outstanding members of ACT for their achievements in leadership, career-related experiences, academics, and service.
Two outstanding students have been selected to receive the 2022 scholarships.
Rachel McGreal, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Rachel McGreal has been selected to receive the Dr. James Evans Scholarship. This $3,000 scholarship is in honor of Dr. James Evans who has had a tremendous impact on the establishment and growth of agricultural communications programs.
As the recipient, McGreal is being recognized for her excellence in academics and leadership, and for exemplifying the dedication and commitment of the outstanding individual for whom this award is named.
“Being awarded a scholarship that pays tribute to Dr. Evans is an absolute honor. The lasting impression he made on agricultural communications programs, especially at the University of Illinois, is celebrated frequently within the Illini Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow (ACT) chapter. I strive to follow in Dr. Evans’ footsteps which paved a crucial path for agricultural communicators. Receiving this scholarship plays a key part in helping me achieve that,” Rachel stated.
“Rachel’s career-related experiences demonstrate her commitment to agricultural communications. She brings an understanding of agriculture to all off-farm roles she serves, capitalizing on opportunities to make agriculture better understood by her audiences,” University of Illinois Dr. Owen Roberts said.
Sydney Garrett, Kansas State University. Sydney Garrett is being awarded the Past Presidents’ Scholarship in the amount of $1,500. This award recognizes her leadership, dedication, and hard work in the agriculture community.
“I would like to say thank you to the Agricultural Communications Network for providing scholarship opportunities to students pursuing degrees in agricultural communications. These opportunities not only help financially but also provide valuable networking skills to students as they enter the agricultural industry full-time. I’m grateful to be a recipient of the Past President’s Scholarship and to progress in my career with like-minded individuals passionate about helping others succeed,” Sydney Garrett stated.
“I believe Sydney is highly qualified and very deserving of an AAEA scholarship. She not only is dedicated to her academic and professional development but also has an exceptional personality and tremendous work ethic. This scholarship would allow her to complete her degree at Kansas State and become a meaningful contributor to agriculture,” Kansas State University Advisor Jason D. Ellis said.
Both scholarships are made possible through a grant from the Agricultural Communicators Network and AAEA Professional Improvement Foundation (PIF).
2021 Recipients
John F. Kennedy once said, “We must do all that we can to give our children the best in education and social upbringing for while they are the youth of today, they shall be the leaders of tomorrow.”
Nurturing and investing in our youth is the goal of the AAEA The Agricultural Communicators Network scholarships, as well as our editorial and marketing communications internships. Through these opportunities we strive to recognize the very best students and support them in their endeavor to join our profession.
Two outstanding students have been selected to receive the 2021 scholarships.
Callie McClay. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Callie McClay has been selected to receive the Dr. James Evans Scholarship. This $3,000 scholarship is in honor of Dr. James Evans who has had a tremendous impact on the establishment and growth of agricultural communications programs.
Callie McClay, University of Illinois
As the recipient, McClay is being recognized for her excellence in academics and leadership, and for exemplifying the dedication and commitment of the outstanding individual for whom this award is named.
“I have had the privilege of working with Dr. Evans on several occasions at the University of Illinois,” McClay says. “Receiving the Dr. James Evans Scholarship is completely humbling and an absolute honor.”
Heather Miller, College of Agricultural, Consumer, and Environmental Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, says “Callie is an outstanding candidate for this scholarship because of her commitment to academic excellence, impeccable work ethic, and her desire to give of herself through volunteer activities,”
Bobby Marchy, Oklahoma State University. Bobby Marchy is being awarded the Past Presidents’ Scholarship in the amount of $1,500 each. This award recognizes his leadership, dedication, and hard work in the agriculture community.
Bobby Marchy, Oklahoma State University
“I give Bobby my highest recommendation for the scholarship based on past achievements, current hard work ethic in his academic and internship experiences, and a passion to continue to grow as an influential agriculturalist,” says Curt Nelson, Certis USA Regional Sales Manager.
Both scholarships are made possible through a grant from the Professional Improvement Foundation. The Dr. James Evans Scholarship is funded, in part, through the generosity of CoBank.
“CoBank is proud to continue its support of the AAEA scholarship program and the next generation of agricultural journalists and communicators,” says Sherry Johnson, director of corporate social responsibility with CoBank. “The students we’ve met during our involvement as a sponsor have been truly inspiring. It’s been our pleasure to partner with AAEA to support these students on their scholastic and professional journeys.”
Established by the National Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow (ACT) in 1993 and adopted by AAEA in 2004, these scholarships are awarded to outstanding members of ACT for their achievements in leadership, career-related experiences, academics and service.
AAEA/ACT Scholarship
Established by the National Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow (ACT) in 1993 and adopted by AAEA in 2004, AAEA scholarships are awarded to outstanding members of ACT for their achievements in leadership, career-related experiences, academics and service.
Dr. Jim Evans Scholarship
The top AAEA/ACT scholarship given each year is “The Jim Evans Scholarship.” Dr. Evans has had a tremendous impact on the establishment and growth of agricultural communications programs, and serves as a mentor for hundreds of former and present students. Anyone who meets and visits with Jim comes away with renewed enthusiasm for our industry and a great appreciation for everything he has done for our profession. The recipient is recognized for “excellence in academics and leadership, and for exemplifying the dedication and commitment of the outstanding individual for whom this award is named.”
Nurturing and investing in our youth are goals of the Agricultural Communicators Network (ACN). We reach these objectives by providing annual scholarships and internships. Through these opportunities, we strive to recognize the very best students and support them in their endeavor to join our profession.
Established by the National Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow (ACT) in 1993 and adopted by AAEA in 2004, these scholarships are awarded to outstanding members of ACT for their achievements in leadership, career-related experiences, academics, and service.
Two outstanding students have been selected to receive the 2022 scholarships.
Rachel McGreal, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Rachel McGreal has been selected to receive the Dr. James Evans Scholarship. This $3,000 scholarship is in honor of Dr. James Evans who has had a tremendous impact on the establishment and growth of agricultural communications programs.
As the recipient, McGreal is being recognized for her excellence in academics and leadership, and for exemplifying the dedication and commitment of the outstanding individual for whom this award is named.
“Being awarded a scholarship that pays tribute to Dr. Evans is an absolute honor. The lasting impression he made on agricultural communications programs, especially at the University of Illinois, is celebrated frequently within the Illini Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow (ACT) chapter. I strive to follow in Dr. Evans’ footsteps which paved a crucial path for agricultural communicators. Receiving this scholarship plays a key part in helping me achieve that,” Rachel stated.
“Rachel’s career-related experiences demonstrate her commitment to agricultural communications. She brings an understanding of agriculture to all off-farm roles she serves, capitalizing on opportunities to make agriculture better understood by her audiences,” University of Illinois Dr. Owen Roberts said.
Sydney Garrett, Kansas State University. Sydney Garrett is being awarded the Past Presidents’ Scholarship in the amount of $1,500. This award recognizes her leadership, dedication, and hard work in the agriculture community.
“I would like to say thank you to the Agricultural Communications Network for providing scholarship opportunities to students pursuing degrees in agricultural communications. These opportunities not only help financially but also provide valuable networking skills to students as they enter the agricultural industry full-time. I’m grateful to be a recipient of the Past President’s Scholarship and to progress in my career with like-minded individuals passionate about helping others succeed,” Sydney Garrett stated.
“I believe Sydney is highly qualified and very deserving of an AAEA scholarship. She not only is dedicated to her academic and professional development but also has an exceptional personality and tremendous work ethic. This scholarship would allow her to complete her degree at Kansas State and become a meaningful contributor to agriculture,” Kansas State University Advisor Jason D. Ellis said.
Both scholarships are made possible through a grant from the Agricultural Communicators Network and AAEA Professional Improvement Foundation (PIF).
2020 Recipients
Madelyn Main, Iowa State University
“Madelyn brings a self-awareness, positivity, and desire to give back to the community that seemed fitting for the James Evans Scholarship recipient,” says Courtney Leeper, who was part of the selection committee.
“Receiving the Dr. James Evans Scholarship has been an extremely rewarding and humbling experience,” says Madelyn Main. “I was raised within the agricultural industry and learned from an early age the importance of advocating on behalf of the industry. Being able to be a part in doing so and being recognized for my efforts means so much. I am beyond grateful for the opportunities and opened doors this scholarship will provide me. The effort of agvocating is a lifelong commitment. I am excited to give back to and be a positive addition to these efforts in whatever community I plant my roots in someday.”
2020 AAEA/ACT Past Presidents’ Scholarship Recipients
This year’s candidates were incredibly impressive, making the final decision perhaps our most difficult one yet,” says Courtney Leeper, part of the selection committee. “Each of these bright young women has a unique story of pursuing goals in agricultural communications and stepping into leadership roles along the way.”
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Macy Evans, Iowa State University
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Kylee Kohls, South Dakota State University
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Jessica Wesson, University of Arkansas
Macy Evans, Iowa State University
Kylee Kohls, South Dakota State University
Jessica Wesson, University of Arkansas