College students with an interest in agriculture will have the chance to get a real education and some real money to pay for education. The Animal Agriculture Alliance is launching its College Aggies Online (CAO) scholarship competition Sept. 28th.
“This year’s College Aggies Online participants are really in for a rewarding experience,” said Alliance President and CEO Kay Johnson Smith. “We are looking forward to helping connect future leaders in agriculture to our expert panel, which consists of experienced and renowned individuals in diverse fields, including online engagement, consumer communications, public policy and digital media.”
Program mentors include:
Kristina Butts, a Texas native and alumna of Texas Tech University, who serves as the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association’s executive director of legislative affairs.
Ilina Ewen, who writes at Dirt & Noise and is a seasoned marketer with 25 years of marketing, brand strategy, communications, and writing experience.
Lisa M. Frame, a freelance writer, social media strategist and blogger who currently lives just outside of Charlotte, NC.
Casey Hushon, account supervisor with Charleston|Orwig and a graduate of Virginia Tech with a degree in dairy science and a minor in professional writing.
Rebecca Shaw, dairy marketing specialist at Cargill Animal Nutrition who also works on her family’s calf and heifer raising operations.
Andy Vance, former farm broadcaster and current contributor and blogger for Feedstuffs who also designs multi-platform campaigns for advertisers reaching an agricultural audience via Feedstuffs, National Hog Farmer and BEEF Magazine.
Krissa Welshans, staff editor for Feedstuffs covering livestock and feed news, who has also worked for the National Pork Producers Council and the Animal Agriculture Alliance.
The competition consists of weekly challenges, and whoever gets the highest score will receive a $5,000 scholarship, national recognition and a trip for two representatives to attend the Alliance’s annual Stakeholders Summit in May. The first place individual will win a $2,500 scholarship and a trip to Summit. Scholarships and recognition will also be awarded to the first and second runner-up clubs as well as to the second and third placing individuals.