Today's feature from the LDN Spring FARM OUTLOOK

Chamber awards eight ag scholarships for 2014

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[March 28, 2014]  This year eight young men from Logan County were selected as recipients of the Lincoln/Logan County Chamber of Commerce Ag Scholarship. A total of 18 students applied for the scholarships this year. Those who won the awards this year went through an application process as well as face-to-face interviews with the scholarship committee.

Chase Aylesworth

Chase is a junior at the University of Illinois, majoring in crop sciences with a concentration in crop agribusiness. He is the son of Rick and Debby Aylesworth of Mount Pulaski and a graduate of Mount Pulaski High School.

Prior to college, Chase was involved with his local 4-H club for 11 years and was a four-year member of the Mount Pulaski FFA. In college, he is a member of the Hoof and Horn Club and the Field and Furrow Club.

Chase's goal is to acquire a great deal of knowledge regarding both products and problems associated with crop production. He said his interest in agriculture is also tied to a sense of belonging and community that is found in the agricultural industry.

"I appreciate the tight community within the agricultural industry," Chase said. "In my mind, no other career choice would allow me to interact so freely with people who share the same values and interests as myself."

Cole Baker

Cole Baker is a graduate of Hartsburg-Emden High School and is currently enrolled at Lincoln Land Community College. He intends to further his education after Lincoln Land by attending Illinois State University. His chosen major is agriculture education with a double minor in ag business and ag communications.

Cole is a Logan County native from Emden. His parents are Randy Baker and Jerry and Dara Entwistle.

While in high school, Cole was a member of the Logan County 4-H Ambassadors and Hollanders 4-H. He was also a member of the Hartsburg-Emden FFA and the Illinois Junior Hereford Association. At Lincoln Land, he is the vice president of the Lincoln Land Ag Club.

Cole said he believes that agriculture is a very broad field and that what he learns in ag can easily cross over to other careers as well. He noted that agriculture is an ever-changing field with new developments daily, from new livestock vaccines to new technology and new developments in crop sciences.

Cole said his choice to become an ag educator was influenced by his high school ag teacher.

"I feel that my ag teacher, Betsy Pech, had some part in my decision," Cole said. "I have been pondering the decision to go into agriculture education for some time. After being Section 14 FFA president and working with high school students, I felt that ag ed was for me."

Clayton Irwin

Clayton Irwin is the son of Tom and Laura Irwin of Lincoln. He graduated from Lincoln Community High School with a 3.56 grade-point average. He is currently attending Illinois State University, majoring in agronomy management and agribusiness.

Clayton said he chose to pursue a career in agriculture because it is a diverse and ever-changing field of study. Farming has been a part of his life all of his life, and he sees endless opportunities in the field of agriculture.

"I have worked with my dad on the farm all of my life," Clayton said. "Agriculture is a way of life and very important to me. I always knew I wanted to choose a major in agriculture. I chose ag business because it will prepare me for many different opportunities in the field of agriculture. For example, I could manage a farm or other agricultural business. I'm excited to continue learning about the business side of agriculture and the revolutionary methods that are constantly impacting and improving the field of agriculture."

Todd Irwin

Todd is among the members of the third generation of the Irwin family operating a dairy farm in Beason. He is the son of Steve and Ann Marie Irwin and a graduate of Lincoln Community High School.

He is currently attending Richland Community College with a major in animal industry management.

In high school he was active with FFA, and in college he is a participant in the Honors Opportunities program.

Todd said his major is a combination of animal science and agricultural business that will allow him to continue working with livestock in the future.

"I love being able to work with my dairy animals every day and to be able to go work out in the field. I also love the community of farmers in Logan County that have helped me in many ways and offered so much support," Todd said.

Cameron Jodlowski

Cameron Jodlowski is a freshman this year at Iowa State University. He is majoring in agriculture and life science education with a communications option.

Cameron is a Logan County native, a son of Ed and Colleen Jodlowski of Atlanta. He graduated from Olympia High School with a 4.06 grade-point average.

In his high school career, Cameron participated in FFA, 4-H and speech. He was a member of the student council, served as a freshman mentor and was on the bank board. He was also a member of the National Honor Society and served on the Illinois State 4-H Youth Leadership Team.

At Iowa State, Cameron is involved in Agriculture Communicators of Tomorrow as director of public relations. He is the philanthropy co-chair of the Iowa State Freshmen Council and a member of the President's Leadership Class.

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Cameron said his choice of college major was because he wants to go into the communication side of agriculture.

"Agriculture is an ever-changing field and combines my love of rural America and science. I want to help educate people about agriculture and help our society understand where their food comes from," Cameron said.

Evan Jodlowski

Evan Jodlowski is a freshman this year at Illinois State University, majoring in animal industry management.

Evan, a son of Ed and Colleen Jodlowski of Atlanta, is a graduate of Olympia High School. In high school Evan was a member of the National Honor Society and enjoyed a variety of sporting activities, including soccer, basketball and track.

In college he is an active member of the Collegiate FFA.

Evan said he chose his major so he could follow his passion.

"I decided my major by following what I am passionate about," Evan said. "I am strongly passionate about producing high-quality animals." He added that what interests him most about agriculture is "all of the opportunities that are associated with the agriculture industry."

Josiah Klokkenga

Josiah Klokkenga is a graduate of Hartsburg-Emden High School and is currently enrolled as a sophomore at Parkland College. He will further his college career by transferring to the University of Illinois as a participant in the Parkland Pathway to Illinois program.

During his high school career, Josiah served as FFA chapter president. As a member of the Hartem Clovers 4-H, he held the offices of secretary, vice-president and president. He was also president of the youth group at St. Peter Lutheran Church.

In college, he is a member of the Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity and the U of I Hoof and Horn Club.

Josiah is the son of Alan and Sylvia Klokkenga and grew up raising purebred Shorthorn cattle. He said he would enjoy having a career that would involve working in the beef industry. He chose to major in ag business markets and management because he felt it would be a broad-spectrum major that would open many doors for him in his career.

"I chose this major because I knew I wanted something broad enough in the agricultural section that I would have a wide range of options for a career path," Josiah said. "I also plan to minor in animal science so as to have an opportunity to take some livestock-based courses, such as beef reproduction and other classes which really interest me."

Troy Rawlings

Troy is a senior this year at Lincoln Community High School with plans to attend Lincoln Land Community College. He is the son of Dave and Tracey Rawlings and a member of a multigenerational farm family.

Troy plans to major in ag business management and wants to stay involved in farming and raising beef cattle.

During his high school career he has been involved in FFA and 4-H. He is a member of the Illinois Junior Angus Association and has been a member of the LCHS bass fishing team.

"My interest in agriculture is on the farm. I love to work on the farm and raise Angus cattle," Troy said.

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