Each year, the Illinois Pork Producers Association offers scholarships to students interested in the pork industry, who are pursuing a higher education degree at a two- or four-year institution. Recipients are selected based on activities, IPPA involvement, and an essay outlining the ways to recruit new hires to the pork industry, focusing on high school students, college students, or people already in the workforce.
“We had a record number of applicants this year and continue to be impressed by the ambition and effort from these young men and women,” said Chad Leman, IPPA President. “It is vital we continue to reach out and recruit the best and the brightest people to get involved in pork production.”
IPPA is proud to offer nine awards for the 2023-2024 school year, totaling $13,500, with three levels of award dollars – gold, silver, and bronze. Funding for these scholarships is made possible through the Wilbert and Carol Keppy Foundation.
Gold level recipients, who are receiving a $2,000 award are: Haley Bode of Waterloo, Carter Daniel Hoge of Macomb, and Jared Dawkins of Beach Park.
Silver level recipients, receiving a $1,500 award are: Madisen Winter of Kewanee, Halie Kohl of Herscher, and Gage Miller of Cambridge.
Bronze level recipients, receiving a $1,000 award are: Hailey VanOpdorp of Geneseo, Emma Frank of Atkinson, and Carlie Mettler of Highland.
“These nine scholarship recipients excel in advocating for agriculture, especially the pork industry,” noted Lana Shovlin, director of Communications for IPPA. “We look forward to meeting new faces each year, supporting their education, and getting them involved in our organization for years to come.”