The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) is pleased to announce the awardees for the 2024 NCGA Scholarship Programs. Eleven outstanding students were selected by a committee of grower leaders to receive scholarships for this fall semester. NCGA is proud to continue supporting these vital programs in partnership with BASF Corporation.
"At NCGA, we are committed to securing a strong future for corn farmers through every initiative. These scholarships represent a key investment in cultivating the next generation of ag industry leaders and problem-solvers," said Dan Nerud, Nebraska grower and chair of the NCGA Member & Consumer Engagement Action Team. "The caliber of this year's applicants and the diversity of their skills is truly impressive. I'm eager to see how these students will contribute to shaping the industry and driving innovation that will sustain farms for generations to come."
Congratulations to this exceptional group of students, and our sincere thank you to all who applied and to BASF for their continued support of the NCGA Scholarship Programs.
Discover more about each recipient by exploring their full bios below.
Graduate Student Scholarship Winners
South Dakota State University
Charles Tesch is a first-year M.S. student studying Plant Science at South Dakota State University, working on a strip-tillage fertility placement study in Peter Kovacs’ Precision Ag Cropping Systems Lab. This study investigates how phosphorus and potassium management strategies under different tillage systems influence corn yield components. Following the completion of his education, Charles hopes to enhance the productivity and sustainability of crop production by pursuing a career as a research agronomist while continuing to help on his family’s farm in rural Minnesota. Biography PDF
Learn MoreUniversity of Nebraska - Lincoln
I was raised on a livestock and crop operation in southwest Minnesota. I then went on to continue my education at South Dakota State University where I obtained Bachelor of Science degrees in Animal Science and Agricultural Science. After completing my undergraduate degree, I decided to continue my education by earning a Master’s degree in the field of Ruminant Nutrition in which I am currently working towards at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln. My current research project is titled “Impact of Constant Versus Variable Inclusions of Modified Distillers Grains Plus Solubles on Feedlot Cattle Performance and Carcass Characteristics” and is funded in partnership with the Nebraska Corn Board. This project is investigating the effects that feeding varying amounts of distiller grains may have on feedlot cattle and plans to quantify these effects for feedlot producers, consulting nutritionists, and ethanol industry professionals. Biography PDF
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