Iowa Foundation for Agricultural Advancement Rewards Students with Scholarships
Sep 17, 2024
Sara Clausen
Director of Communications
NO PLACE SCREAMS AGRICULTURE like the Iowa State Fair. Sure, it’s ten days of food, rides and concerts, but the true purpose of the fair is to shine a light on everything ag—including the youth behind many of the exhibits!
There’s a tremendous opportunity (and challenge) to retain the next generation of ag students in our state. Iowa is known all over the country for having strong ag programs at our colleges, but education requires investment. This is where the Iowa Foundation for Agricultural Advancement (IFAA) comes in.
The IFAA is dedicated to connecting Iowa’s future ag leaders to others who are passionate about the industry. The organization is known for its huge Sale of Champions, where 16 4-H and FFA exhibitors sell their champion livestock to hometown and national supporters at the Iowa State Fair. This year, the event brought in nearly $669,000. The best part? Twenty-five percent of these sales will go directly back into student scholarships!
The Winner’s Circle Scholarships—as they’re formally called—are available to incoming freshmen and undergraduates enrolled in agriculture curriculum at any two- or four-year university or college. The IFAA presents over $200,000 in scholarships per year, and Key Cooperative is proud to be part of this program each year. “We want our kids to come back to Iowa to do an internship or work,” said Mark Kahler, a member of the IFAA Board. “This program promotes our younger generation within ag and helps them with their education.”
The Sale of Champions and the Winner’s Circle Scholarship presentation take place on the final Saturday of the fair in front of hundreds of spectators. Many new records were set during this year’s sale, but most impressively the IFAA presented a record 95 scholarships. Two of those scholarships were funded by Key Cooperative and awarded to ISU undergraduates Jackson Sterle (senior) of Roland and Dalton Shanks (junior) of Colfax.
“This program goes further than just receiving a scholarship,” said Jackson. “I have the ability to meet the donors and make connections. The IFAA helps me explore other opportunities, since I want to attend grad school.”
“I’ve been part of the Sale of Champions since 2016,” said Dalton. “By having animals go through the sale, I know everything goes full circle to help others with their scholarships.”
The IFAA is operated almost entirely by volunteers, including the Board members, fundraising committees and those who run the sale and scholarship presentation each year at the fair.
“It’s really rewarding to meet these students at the Iowa State Fair,” said Mark Kahler. “I know I’ve helped create a scholarship for their success!” If you’re interested in volunteering with the IFAA or would like to recognize our youth by contributing to the Winner’s Circle Scholarships, please visit www.ifaa.org.
Director of Communications
Supporting the Next Generation of Agriculture
NO PLACE SCREAMS AGRICULTURE like the Iowa State Fair. Sure, it’s ten days of food, rides and concerts, but the true purpose of the fair is to shine a light on everything ag—including the youth behind many of the exhibits!
There’s a tremendous opportunity (and challenge) to retain the next generation of ag students in our state. Iowa is known all over the country for having strong ag programs at our colleges, but education requires investment. This is where the Iowa Foundation for Agricultural Advancement (IFAA) comes in.
The IFAA is dedicated to connecting Iowa’s future ag leaders to others who are passionate about the industry. The organization is known for its huge Sale of Champions, where 16 4-H and FFA exhibitors sell their champion livestock to hometown and national supporters at the Iowa State Fair. This year, the event brought in nearly $669,000. The best part? Twenty-five percent of these sales will go directly back into student scholarships!
The Winner’s Circle Scholarships—as they’re formally called—are available to incoming freshmen and undergraduates enrolled in agriculture curriculum at any two- or four-year university or college. The IFAA presents over $200,000 in scholarships per year, and Key Cooperative is proud to be part of this program each year. “We want our kids to come back to Iowa to do an internship or work,” said Mark Kahler, a member of the IFAA Board. “This program promotes our younger generation within ag and helps them with their education.”
The Sale of Champions and the Winner’s Circle Scholarship presentation take place on the final Saturday of the fair in front of hundreds of spectators. Many new records were set during this year’s sale, but most impressively the IFAA presented a record 95 scholarships. Two of those scholarships were funded by Key Cooperative and awarded to ISU undergraduates Jackson Sterle (senior) of Roland and Dalton Shanks (junior) of Colfax.
“This program goes further than just receiving a scholarship,” said Jackson. “I have the ability to meet the donors and make connections. The IFAA helps me explore other opportunities, since I want to attend grad school.”
“I’ve been part of the Sale of Champions since 2016,” said Dalton. “By having animals go through the sale, I know everything goes full circle to help others with their scholarships.”
The IFAA is operated almost entirely by volunteers, including the Board members, fundraising committees and those who run the sale and scholarship presentation each year at the fair.
“It’s really rewarding to meet these students at the Iowa State Fair,” said Mark Kahler. “I know I’ve helped create a scholarship for their success!” If you’re interested in volunteering with the IFAA or would like to recognize our youth by contributing to the Winner’s Circle Scholarships, please visit www.ifaa.org.
Pictured above: Jackson Sterle (left) and Dalton Shanks (right) posed with Key Director of Communications Sara Clausen at the Winner’s Circle Scholarship presentation at the Iowa State Fair.
