Over $650,000 awarded to agricultural students at South Dakota State University

Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.

The Details

BROOKINGS, S.D. — It’s no secret that college is a big expense, but for many students, scholarships can help relieve that financial burden.

On Nov. 5, nearly 300

South Dakota State University students were awarded scholarships as part of the university’s College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Science Scholarship and Recognition Banquet.

The scholarships totaled more than $650,000, ranging from $2,000 to $10,000 each and were awarded to students in a variety of agricultural majors.

Ashlyn Kovarna, a senior agricultural science major from Merrill, Iowa, received multiple scholarships this year, which will help to cover the cost of her education as she prepares to enter the livestock industry.

“I received the Ag PhD scholarship and the National Farmers Foundation scholarship, and it’s just an honor to get those scholarships to help with financial issues and don’t really have to worry about the stress of money wise, paying for college,” Kovarna said.

Having that financial help makes it so students like Kovarna can focus more on their education.

“I can just focus more on my academics and really like focusing and being in my schoolwork and just having fun here. Having the scholarships, I can just kind of relax and have fun and just enjoy it,” Kovarna said.

Ariana Schumacher / Agweek

Growing up on a farming operation, Kovarna was motivated to go into an agricultural degree.

“We have cattle and crops, so I am just really involved in that and I just really enjoy being in the agricultural world,” she said.

Outside of her course load, Kovarna is involved with the Collegiate Cattlemen, Block and Bridle and Little International student organizations. She also works at the university’s Cow-Calf Education and Research Facility, which she said gives her a different perspective when it comes to raising livestock.

What to watch for when grazing forages with a higher risk of prussic acid 1d ago Preparing cattle for extreme weather, no matter the season 2d ago Can selling corn stover be beneficial to your operation?

3d ago

“Just having a different work environment, just not being just me and my dad. So, like being with my boss, Kevin, I can just learn from him, and he’s just a really awesome guy. I look up to him with everything. He teaches me so much and I just get a different perspective of the cattle industry,” she said. “So what he knows, he’s been doing it for a long time and what my dad knows, I can just kind of compare them and just keep gaining more knowledge and have fun while I’m at it.”

Kovarna thanked the sponsors for the scholarships.

“I would just say, thank you. Giving these scholarships to all these students to help with financial stress and just having those scholarships just really helps all of us, not just like ag people, but everyone here,” she said. “It’s just really helpful and I just want to thank them for everything that they do.”

She encouraged other students to apply for future scholarships.

“I would just say do it. I mean, if you’re going to get it, if you don’t, you don’t, but you never know unless you’re going to try,” Kovarna said.

After graduation, Kovarna hopes to work in the livestock industry in Iowa.

• Comments
• Share this article
• News Reporting
• News Reporting

Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.

What is this?

• Tags
• Tags
• AGRICULTURE
• SOUTH DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY
• AGRICULTURE EDUCATION
• By
• Ariana Schumacher

Ariana is a reporter for Agweek based out of South Dakota. She graduated from South Dakota State University in 2022 with a double major in Agricultural Communications and Journalism, with a minor in Animal Science. She is currently a graduate student at SDSU, working towards her Masters of Mass Communications degree. She enjoys reporting on all things agriculture and sharing the stories that matter to both the producers and the consumers.

• Twitter
• Facebook
• Listen to this article
• Conversation
• What To Read Next
• Education

Third graders get a sweet taste of local honey production 6d ago By Ariana Schumacher Hogs 10 years of the SDSU Swine Education and Research Facility Nov 6 By Ariana Schumacher Hogs Swine outlook depends on hog health and youth engagement Nov 6 By Ariana Schumacher Get Local