NCGA Scholarship Award Winners

Five college students from agricultural backgrounds were presented with $1000 NCGA Academic Excellence in Agriculture scholarships, sponsored by BASF, at this week’s Commodity Classic in Grapevine, Texas.

Adam Burnhams (left) with U.S. Crop Protection Products at BASF and NCGA Chairman Ron Litterer (right) presented the students with their awards on Friday. Four of the five students were able to attend this year’s Commodity Classic. They are pictured here, left to right - Emily Treu of Wisconsin, Michael Sukalski of Minnesota, Alex Coughlin of South Dakota and Rita Cook of Iowa. Not pictured is Elias Klokkenga of Illinois.

Rita is a senior at Iowa State University majoring in agricultural business with a minor in public service and administration in agriculture and economics. Alex is a junior at South Dakota State University majoring in agricultural business with a minor in agricultural marketing. Elias is a sophomore at the University of Illinois majoring in agricultural and consumer economics with a concentration in agribusiness, markets and management. Michael is a sophomore at South Dakota State University majoring in agricultural and biosystems engineering with a minor in accounting and business management. Emily is a sophomore at the University of Wisconsin – Madison double majoring in agricultural education and agricultural journalism.

I did interviews with each of the winners present, which you can hear below:
Alex -
Emily -
Rita -
Michael -

If you’d like to see photos from this year’s Commodity Classic please feel free to visit our: 2009 Commodity Classic Photo Album