SWCD awards scholarships to high school and college students

By Sue Wiegrefe

Each year Fillmore Soil and Water Conservation District awards two $500.00 scholarships to individuals from Fillmore County studying natural resources, agriculture, or a related field at the college level.

Our 2019 Graduating High School Senior Scholarship was awarded to Madilyn Smith, a senior at Fillmore Central High School. Madilyn, daughter of Todd and Tina Ristau of Preston, began studies at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities campus this past fall, majoring in Agriculture Education and Journalism. Her goal after college is to teach agriculture at the high school level and advise an FFA chapter.

The Returning College Student Scholarship was awarded to Taylor (T.J.) Ruen. Taylor is currently in his final term at South Dakota State University, where he has majored in Agriculture Systems Technology and minored in Precision Agriculture and Agronomy. Taylor is the son of Tim and Jody Ruen of Lanesboro.

Part of the application process is an essay, in which applicants describe in 500 words or less “What Natural Resources Conservation Means to Me.” The full application can be accessed on line at www.fillmoreswcd.org/scholarships.html or picked up at the SWCD office located at 900 Washington Street NW in Preston. Deadlines for the scholarships are 4:00 p.m. on March 18, 2020, for high school students and July 31, 2020, for the returning college students. For more information, call the SWCD office at (507) 765-3878, ext. 3. We are pleased to be able to support the next generation of conservationists!