AGRA, Okla. — Austin Reedy of Agra, Okla., is a 2020 Dairy MAX scholarship recipient because of his outstanding scholastic achievement, leadership and achievement in agriculture. Reedy is one of four students with dairy roots receiving a $2,500 scholarship from Dairy MAX.
Dairy farmers not only produce a nutritious food for the world, but play a vital role in helping their local communities thrive. The Dairy MAX scholarship program is a way of giving back to dairy farm families, while investing in the future of dairy.
“With the scholarship program, not only are we recognizing outstanding students, but we are empowering the next generation of the dairy farmers and advocates through supporting their higher education,” said Marty McKinzie, Dairy MAX’s vice president of industry image and relations.
Growing up, Reedy was either working on his family’s dairy operation, Lynrae Dairy in Agra, or taking care of his own dairy show cattle. Reedy has big plans for his family’s operation after he graduates from Oklahoma State University with a degree in agribusiness. He hopes to improve the operation in a number of ways, while making it even more sustainable and sharing the dairy story.
“It is very important to teach share the health benefits of dairy to younger generations,” Reedy said. “I want to be an advocate for the dairy industry for the rest of my life.”
To be eligible for the Dairy MAX scholarship, students must reside in the Dairy MAX region, be a graduating high school senior or undergraduate student currently enrolled in college and be a child of a dairy farmer, child of a dairy farm employee or an FFA/4-H dairy show participant.
“It is a privilege to work for dairy farm families,” said McKinzie. “We are pleased to support these students with dairy roots as they start this next chapter. They all have big plans to ensure a bright future for the dairy industry.”
Investing in the recipients’ education, propels dairy forward to continue feeding the world, while nourishing communities.
“Our dairy farm families play an important role in the success of their communities,” said McKinzie. “We are honored to recognize these outstanding students for their achievements within the dairy industry and their communities through the scholarship program.”
The 2021 Dairy MAX Scholarship application will open in January 2021. To see a full list of eligibility requirements and information about applying, visit DairyMAX.org/dairy/scholarships.
— Dairy MAX
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