A scholarship for highschool seniors pursuing careers in agriculture has been awarded.
Cooper Rathbun’s earliest recollections contain using within the mix. Like many farm youngsters, he graduated from the buddy seat to driving the grain cart and finally serving to with tools upkeep to verify every little thing ran easily throughout one of the vital vital instances of the 12 months. Now, as a highschool senior, he plans to place that have to work as he research for a future profession in agricultural engineering. His ardour for farming, paired together with his pursuits in know-how and innovation, made him the perfect candidate for the 2025 Herb Litter Memorial Scholarship, administered by the Kansas Affiliation of Wheat Growers.
“Rising up on my household’s farm, I’ve spent numerous hours working alongside my household throughout wheat harvest – using within the mix, operating grain carts and studying the significance of effectivity and sustainability in farming,” Rathbun wrote in his software. “These experiences have instilled in me a powerful work ethic and an appreciation for innovation in agriculture.”
Along with engaged on the household farm, Rathbun has been actively concerned in management roles in class and his neighborhood, together with as staff captain of the basketball staff. He has additionally secured a summer season internship with Wilson & Firm, which is able to present him with hands-on engineering expertise.
Rathbun will graduate in Could from Lincoln Junior-Senior Excessive College and plans to attend Fort Hays State College to finish his pre-engineering lessons earlier than transferring to Kansas State College. In the end, he plans to pursue a profession in agricultural engineering, specializing in growing applied sciences that enhance effectivity, sustainability and productiveness in farming.
“My aim is to develop sensible, research-backed options that improve wheat manufacturing whereas holding prices manageable for farmers – simply as Herb Litter envisioned by means of his management in selection improvement and industrial makes use of of wheat,” he wrote. “The Herb Litter Memorial Scholarship represents extra than simply monetary help – it honors a legacy of management, innovation and dedication to Kansas wheat growers. I’m keen to hold on that legacy by making use of my schooling and experiences to the development of the wheat business.”
Herbert W. Litter was a farmer from Holcomb and the primary president of the Nationwide Affiliation of Wheat Growers, which was established in 1948. Litter inspired Kansas wheat farmers to arrange as a powerful, unified voice, which led to the formation of the Kansas Affiliation of Wheat Growers in 1952. He inspired analysis in schooling and industrial makes use of of wheat, improved selection improvement and strategies to provide the very best product on the lowest value. Litter’s efforts led to the formation of the Kansas Wheat Fee by the Kansas legislature in 1957.
The Herb Litter Memorial Scholarship was established in 2009 to honor Herb Litter’s influential function in organizing management teams on behalf of Kansas wheat producers and is supported by the generosity of the Herb Litter household. Farm youngsters with a self-starter angle and a curious thoughts like Rathbun are the right match to honor Litter’s legacy.
“Wheat harvest taught me extra than simply the mechanics of farming; it instilled in me a powerful work ethic, persistence and the power to adapt beneath stress,” he wrote. “Lengthy hours within the discipline, unpredictable climate and the teamwork required to make every little thing come collectively confirmed me the dedication that farming calls for.”
Be taught extra concerning the Herb Litter Memorial Scholarship at https://kswheat.com/clutter.
