The Minnesota Forage and Grassland Council is proud to recognize Aimee Finley from St. Charles as the recipient of a $500 post-secondary educational scholarship. Aimee is in her third year at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, majoring in Agricultural Education. Upon graduation, Aimee plans to work as an agricultural educator until she is able to bottle, market and deliver the milk produced by her herd to the surrounding community. She sees both careers as a way to spread excitement and knowledge of agriculture while sustaining communities in rural America.

Growing up on a dairy farm near St. Charles, Aimee took an early interest in farming. She purchased her first six registered Ayrshire calves in seventh grade, and now owns over 30 head. While at college, Aimee hires out the milking and chores; her heifers are also custom raised. College course work, extra curricular activities and maintaining her herd keep Aimee very busy, but they also keep her focused and connected to agriculture. She takes great pride in her accomplishments and hopes to encourage others to be excited about opportunities in agriculture also.

4H and FFA activities have been part of Aimee’s routine for many years. Her experiences include raising and showing her calves as fair projects, serving in various officer positions, dairy judging team member and junior leadership. Before choosing her college major Aimee was fulfilling the role of agriculture educator by providing other kids with dairy calves for showing at the county fair and assisting them with their projects. She has demonstrated strong leadership qualities, an incredible work ethic, a commitment to agriculture, and is an excellent role model for youth.

Aimee’s accomplishments at the University are no less impressive. She is currently an active member of the Agricultural Education Society/ Alpha Tau Alpha, and the Dairy Club where she serves as Second Vice-President and as Secretary for the National American Dairy Science-Student Affiliate Division. She participates in intramural sports, and is a member of the Sustainable Farming and National Ayrshire Associations.

The study of forages and their role in agriculture seems to keep "cropping up" for Aimee. Aimee’s family researched pasture mixes while converting to a rotational grazing system when she was in high school. A college internship with the University of Minnesota Extension – Winona County provided her the opportunity to study forage fiber length for dairy cattle. And she is currently enrolled in a forage class that she has found to be interesting and pertinent to her own herd. Aimee exemplifies the type of student that MFGC hopes to see as a future leader in Minnesota’s forage industry.

The MFGC Scholarship is open to the immediate family of a current MFGC member, who is pursuing an agriculture related post-high school educational experience. This scholarship is awarded each year. For more information, call the MFGC Office at (651) 436-3930.