IPSA Scholarships

The Myron "Ted" Asplin Foundation Scholarship and the IPSA Student Recognition Award are available for students who are interested in the pursuing an eduation related to the industry.

IPSA Student Recognition Award

This awared is given annually to deserving college students (Juniors, Seniors, or Graduate students) in the field of agriculture. The number and amount of these awards are determined annually by the IPSA Board of Directors based on the caliber of applications received and the earnings from this scholarship fund.

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Myron "Ted" Asplin Foundation Scholarship

This scholarship is awarded annually to a high-school graduate who has chosen to continue their education in a field of study related to agriculture. The $750 scholarship is awarded to one applicant as determined by the IPSA Board of Directors and a representative of the Asplin family. Applicants must adhere to the following criteria:

1. All active students who will be continuing their education in an agriculture related field of study.
2. Include your high school transcript with application
3. List courses taken and grades received during senior year if not included in transcript.
4. Type/double spaced answers to questions
5. Essay should be a minimum of 300 words
6. Recent photo (head & shoulder preferred, with name printed on back)

Download the Application

2009 IPSA Scholarship Recipients

Student Recognition Award

Will Cornelius
Will is the son of Chuck and Chris Cornelius, owners of Cornelius Seed Corn which operates out of Bellevue, IA. Will is currently pursuing his Masters in Agronomy and Seed Science at Iowa State University.

Will began working in the family business by operating equipment, rouging, detasseling, crew-leading and helping plant, pollinate and harvest their plant breeding nursery. During the past two summers Will has participated in an internship with Golden Harvest and Channel Bio Corporation shadowing district sales managers and agronomists, while visiting countless farms and completing multiple projects.

Will's great grandfather started Cornelius Seed Corn in 1935. As a fifth generation employee, Will's goal is to become a partner in the seed business and eventually the president of the company.

Ted Asplin Foundation Scholarship Winners

Kelsie Knapp
Kelsie is the daughter of Jeff and Rohnda Knapp, co-owner of Dahlman Seed Company, LLP which operates out of Dassel, MN. Kelsie is a senior, majoring in Agriculture Education at Murray State University.

Kelsie has been extensively involved in the FFA, representing her chapter at the Washington Leadership Conference, serving as chapter reporter and section treasurer, and singing in the Illinois State FFA Choir. In 2007 and 2008 Kelsie attended Rend Lake College where she was a Student Ambassador, an Agri-Achiever and a member of the Society of Leadership and Success.

In the future, Kelsie plans to graduate from Murray State University, find a teaching job and become an FFA advisor. Her goal is to share her enthusiasm for agriculture with her students and encourage them to go on to pursue their own careers in the industry.

Laura Larson
In May of 2010, Laura will graduate from Iowa State University with a degree in Agricultural Business and Entrepreneurial Studies with three main career goals in mind. First, to obtain a career in Ag Marketing, second, to purchase her own farm and expand the breeding beef herd, and third, to eventually open her own floral shop and greenhouse business.

Laura has held the title, “Marketing and Communications Intern,” during the summer of 2007 while working under Shannon Latham, V.P. of Latham High-tech Seeds. There she focused on event planning, designing print and online media, and creating a company blog. Laura also served as the main manager for her family’s breeding beef herd of 30, which she hopes to expand to 120 after purchasing her own land. Her passion for floral design began when she worked for a flower shop called The Garden Gate when she was a freshman in high school.

Laura has also served as the Iowa Outreach Coordinator for Farm Safety 4 Kids, an agricultural business peer mentor for the ISU Economics Department, and held an internship with Farm Cooperative Company out of Farnhamville, IA.