The Southwestern Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association (SWCMA) is announcing their ninth annual Young Dairy Producer Educational Scholarship, an individual scholarship to allow a young dairy producer to pursue dairy (milk) production educational opportunities. This year's scholarship amount will be in the amount of $2,000 to further encourage young dairy producers to continue in the dairy industry and help maintain the supply of milk to area cheese plants. All students whose Wisconsin-based dairy farm markets their milk to any SWCMA member plant is eligible to apply. Family members or farm employee family members are both eligible to apply for this scholarship.

Acceptable educational programs include (but are not limited to) the UW-Madison Farm and Industry Short Course, the Wisconsin Technical College System Farm Business and Production Management Course, the Lakeshore Technical College Farm Business and Production Management Courses, and other dairy-related studies at state universities.

The scholarship will be awarded based on academic achievement, an interest in a dairy (milk) production career, and demonstrated leadership, initiative and integrity. Candidates are expected to complete an application form, submit a transcript of all high school or college courses, and write a short statement describing their career aspirations, dairy-related activities and work experience. The application information will be evaluated by the SWCMA Scholarship Committee.

The scholarship recipient will be selected on the basis of the following criteria:
1. Academic performance and courses related to dairy.
2. Apparent commitment to a career in dairy.
3. Involvement in extra-curricular activities, especially those related to dairy.
4. Leadership ability, initiative, character and integrity.
5. Enrollment in acceptable dairy production educational program.

Scholarship winner must be enrolled during the entire academic year for which the scholarship is awarded.

Completed applications should be submitted to the Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board, c/o Matt Mathison, 8418 Excelsior Drive, Madison, WI 53717 by March 31, 2011.

Questions regarding this application can be forwarded to Matt Mathison at mmathison@wmmb.org or (608) 203-7221.

Announcement of the winner will be made by April 30, 2011. Scholarship winner will receive a plaque and a check for $2,000. The stipend will be forwarded to the department head for issuance to the awardee upon their enrollment for the Fall 2011-2012 term. PD

—From SWCMA news release