$100,000 Up for Grabs with 2024 Colvin Scholarships

Applications are open through April 30 for Certified Angus Beef’s scholarship fund, supporting college students pursuing food and agriculture.

by Courtney Weekley

March 19, 2024

Continuing to support the next generation of leaders in the beef industry, Certified Angus Beef (CAB) will give a record amount of $100,000 in scholarships across three categories this year. College students with a passion for agriculture and a drive to innovate are encouraged to apply for this scholarship opportunity.

The Colvin Scholarship Fund, named in honor of Louis M. “Mick” Colvin, co-founder and former executive director of CAB, aims to empower students who are dedicated to advancing the beef industry. Over its two-decade legacy, the fund has supported more than one hundred students pursuing their educational and professional goals in agriculture. With increasing support from brand partners, this amount continues to grow. In 2023, the CAB awarded $81,500 to 23 scholars.

(left to right) Lizzie Schafer, Butler Community College; Madison Bemisderfer, Pennsylvania State University; Keayla Harr, Oklahoma State University at the 2023 Annual Conference Colvin Scholarship Fund Golf Outing.

“The Colvin Scholarship Fund represents our commitment to nurturing the future leaders of the beef industry,” says Danielle Matter, director of brand experience and education. “We are thrilled to increase our support this year, providing even more opportunities for aspiring professionals.”

The 2024 Colvin Scholarship supports the next generation of agricultural leaders who are dedicated to preserving farm and ranch traditions, researching and developing improved beef quality practices and devoting their careers, studies and activities to making the beef industry even better.

The production agriculture, undergraduate and graduate scholarship categories each have unique requirements including essay questions, resumes, and letters of recommendation.

“I want to thank the sponsors so much for giving us the opportunity to continue with the next generation and continue advancing this amazing industry,” Schafer says.

Harr with sponsor at Colvin Scholarship Fund Golf Outing.

Applications for the 2024 Colvin Scholarship will undergo a comprehensive evaluation process, considering factors based upon the applicants’ academic achievements, extracurricular involvement, communication skills and commitment to the beef industry. A selection committee comprised of industry experts and CAB representatives will carefully review each application to identify the most deserving candidates.

Scholarship recipients will receive financial support and the opportunity to connect with industry leaders and mentors. Top-place winners in each category will receive $7,500 USD and an all-expense paid trip to the 2024 CAB Annual Conference in Verona, NY providing them with a platform to connect with professionals from across the beef industry.

Applications for the 2024 Colvin Scholarship are now open and will close April 30. Interested students who live in the U.S. or Canada can apply. Learn more about eligibility criteria and apply by visiting https://www.certifiedangusbeef.com/recruiting/

The 2023 Colvin Scholarship Fund Awards Future Beef Leaders

Certified Angus Beef awards 23 recipients $81,500 in pursuit of a career in agriculture.

by Courtney Weekley, CAB Communication Specialist

August 21, 2023

The Colvin Scholarship Fund supports the next generation of leaders in agriculture who are devoting their studies and careers to making the beef industry better. This year, 23 students were awarded $81,500 through the Colvin Scholarship Fund.  

Each Colvin Scholarship Fund recipient strives for a career in production agriculture, industry research or an agricultural pursuit that influences the beef business. The students recognized for this scholarship are carrying the legacy of the Certified Angus Beef ® (CAB) co-founder and executive director for 22 years, Louis “Mick” Colvin. 

The 24-year-old fund has now reached 144 students with $500,000 in scholarships. 

The recipients recognized are impact leaders who have a strong commitment and passion for the beef industry.   

“We are so impressed by them because they have shown a true, servant leadership heart,” Danielle Matter says, Certified Angus Beef director of brand experience and education. “They will be the industry’s next movers and shakers by impacting on many tiers from agricultural communication to meat science to production agriculture. And we get to support it all.”  

The top recipients in each category were awarded $7,500 with additional scholarships recognizing educational merit and community involvement for production agriculture, undergraduate and graduate students. The 2023 recipients include:  

Production Agriculture Awards:

$7,500 – Lizzie Schafer – Butler Community College
$5,000 – Karlee Sailer – Dickinson State University
$4,000 – Tucker Huseman – West Texas A&M University
$3,000 – Justina Slim – Colorado State University
$2,000 – Tanner Mickey – University of Illinois
$2,000 – Audrey Tarochione – Kansas State University
$2,000 – Will Hauerland – West Texas A&M University

Graduate Awards:

$7,500 – Lindsey Decker – Kansas State University  
$5,000 – Keayla Harr – Oklahoma State University  
$4,000 – Megan Eckhardt – West Texas A&M University 
$3,000 – Anna Scott – Oklahoma State University  
$2,000 – Anna Kobza – University of Nebraska Lincoln 
$2,000 – Jade Edwards – Oklahoma State University

Undergraduate Awards:

$7,500 – Ava Perrier – Kansas State University  
$5,000 – Bailee Schiefelbein – Oklahoma State University  
$4,000 – Madison Bemisderfer – The Pennsylvania State University  
$3,000 – Clay Pelton – Kansas State University  
$2,500 – Alexis Lake – Oklahoma State University  
$2,500 – Nikki Keeton – Texas Tech University  
$2,000 – Amelia Miller – Texas A&M University  
$2,000 – Katelyn Engel – University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign  
$2,000 – Chloe Hamaker – West Texas A&M University 
$2,000 – James Ulmer – Clemson University

All applicants were asked how they would strive to better serve the beef industry. They each expressed their desired role to grow the brand’s reputation through their education and studies. 

Influenced by 15 years in the beef industry is top graduate scholarship winner, Lindsey Decker. The Kansas State University student focuses on thawing methods in meat science research. She wanted to see the effect on the eating quality of steaks after various thawing methods.  

“This study provides information to allow purchasers of frozen beef products to obtain the best overall eating experience, in turn continuing to create a high demand for beef,” Decker says. 

Decker graduates in Dec. 2023 and will pursue a Ph.D. at Texas Tech University. Her goal? To educate students through her research in meat science and the beef industry. 

Ava Perrier, top undergraduate scholarship winner and student at Kansas State University, also shares a similar passion. She expressed how relating consumers with beef production is an important communication and marketing tool.  

“I truly believe the Certified Angus Beef program and its producers are on the right track,” Perrier says. “Sharing feature stories and videos of families who raise the Certified Angus Beef® brand is a very important part of building beef demand. Consumers want to be able to relate to the people raising their food, so showing parts of ranchers’ real lives is one of the best things to share on social media.” 

Alexandria Cozzitorto and Forest Francis at Certified Angus Beef’s Annual Conference holding an item for the Colvin Scholarship auction.

Lizzie Schafer, top production agriculture recipient, was three years old when she took her very first steps in the livestock industry. After that, she’s had immense involvement and a life passion for the production agriculture industry.  

After studying animal science and agricultural communication at Butler Community College, Schafer has big plans to take her family farm to the next level. 

 “I hope to come back to the family farm and continue my family legacy, continue creating food for the growing population and expand Farm Family Meats into a corporation,” Schafer says. “While farming and running my business, I plan to showcase what I do on a daily basis through promotional videos, encouraging articles and daily social media posts. By becoming a writer and broadcaster within the agriculture industry, I hope to promote the dedicated farmers and ranchers who work hard to feed families around the globe.” 

2022 scholarship recipients Alexandria Cozzitorto and Forest Francis with Virginia and Mick Colvin at the 2022 golf outing for Colvin Scholarship fundraiser in Phoenix, Arizona.

Top award winners receive an all-expense-paid trip to the CAB Annual Conference. Recipients get the opportunity to network with leaders in the beef industry and share their story.  

The largest fundraisers for this fund are auctions and a golf tournament held at the brand’s Annual Conference in September. Generous donation efforts from partners help the brand’s growing contributions to the Colvin Scholarship Fund.  

“This is all credited to our partners and committee members,” Matter says. “It’s humbling to see how everyone involved chose this to be near and dear to their hearts.”  

 Tim Hussman, a Colvin Scholarship Fund committee member, was the first full time employee that Colvin hired at Certified Angus Beef. After retiring in 2018 as president of the specialty meat division for Sysco, he now serves on the Colvin Scholarship Fund selection committee.  

Hussman shares his excitement for the positive influence this fund has on the next generation of beef industry leaders. 

“In the spirit of Mick Colvin, I hope this scholarship continues to grow,” he says. “I think this is just the beginning and we were really excited to see the level of talent and interest. The more we can grow, the more interested students can benefit from the scholarship. I’m happy to give back and bring more young people into the industry.”  

Onward with Quality

by Paul Dykstra | May 21, 2025

It’s been a quality-rich season in the fed cattle business with added days on feed and heavier weights continue to push quality grades higher.

It’s Beef Month

by Paul Dykstra | May 7, 2025

Wholesale and retail beef buyers have been preparing for weeks ahead of the spike in consumer beef buying associated with warmer weather and holiday grilling demand.

USDA Prime Eclipses Select

by Paul Dykstra | Apr 24, 2025

In a twist unthinkable just two decades ago, USDA data reveals that the current percentage of Prime carcasses has averaged 11.9%, surpassing Select carcasses that are averaging 11.1%, in each of the last five weeks.

Certified Angus Beef Awards $70,000 in Colvin Scholarship Funds

A record twenty students earn scholarships in three categories.

by Kylee Kohls Sellnow

November 10, 2022

The beef business relies on a passionate next generation.

With the support of partners across the industry, Certified Angus Beef awarded an annual record $70,000 in scholarships to 20 students pursuing careers at the ranch, in meat science, in a research lab or supporting agricultural business and marketing.

The Colvin Scholarship Fund recognizes students for the commitment and energy they bring to agriculture, their education and community involvement. Young leaders with bright ideas for making the best beef even better earned five production agriculture, ten undergraduate and five graduate scholarships in 2022.

Since 2002, the fund has supported 121 recipients through $418,500 in scholarships.

The students recognized through scholarships are carrying the legacy of the brand’s co-founder and executive director for 22 years, Louis “Mick” Colvin.

“With the support of the brand’s partners, we were able to add a third category to the Colvin Scholarship Fund in 2022, the Production Agriculture Scholarship, giving a nod to Mick’s roots,” says Danielle Matter, Certified Angus Beef director of brand experience and education. “All of this year’s recipients shine a bright light on the future of the beef business, and we are excited to see how the awards positively influence these students.”

Production Agriculture awards:

$7,500 – Owen Gustafson – Dickinson State University
$3,500 – Jace Stagemeyer – Butler Community College
$2,500 – Teigen Hadrick – South Dakota State University
$2,000 – Blake Bruns – Northeastern Junior College
$1,500 – Amber Staab – University of Nebraska – Lincoln

Undergraduate awards:

$7,500 – Cutter Pohlman – Texas Tech University
$5,000 – Kevin Jess – Cornell University
$4,000 – Eva Hinrichsen – Oklahoma State University
$3,000 – Alexandria Cozzitorto – Texas A&M University
$2,000 – Ellie Kidwell – Kansas State University
$2,000 – Jake Bagby – Texas Tech University
$2,000 – Lauren Frink – Colorado State University
$2,000 – Eric Schafer – Butler Community College
$2,000 – Claire Stevensen – California Polytechnic State University
$2,000 – Sheridan Wilson – University of Nebraska

Graduate Awards:

$7,500 – Forest Francis – South Dakota State University
$5,000 – Kaylee Greiner – Texas A&M University
$4,000 – Mesa Kutz – Colorado State University
$3,000 – Connor McKinzie – Texas Tech University
$2,000 – Cesar Sepulveda – Texas Tech University

Applicants were asked how they hope to serve the beef industry and make it better.

Top graduate recipient, Forest Francis, a Ph.D. student at South Dakota State University, is studying growing and finishing feedyard transition diet strategies to improve gastrointestinal health, growth performance, dietary net energy utilization and beef carcass traits.

His ideal job would be either a feedyard production consultant or animal science professor with emphasis in feedyard nutrition or meat science.

“I’d like to be able to merge the gap between cattle feeders and beef packers to help nurture and grow the most efficient cattle while maximizing beef quality and yield,” Francis says.

This drive to create a healthier, stronger beef supply is mirrored by the top Production Agriculture recipient, Owen Gustafson. The Dickinson State University student looks forward to going back to the family farm to carry on the legacy for generations.

“I will strive to be a good steward of the land, to care for my animals and family to the best of my ability, and to advocate for agriculture and rural communities,” Gustafson says. “My life’s work will include having maintained and improved our riparian areas and healthy rangelands, feeding a hungry world a wholesome beef product, and giving back to my community through involvement and leadership.”

All awarded students carry an inborn fondness for the beef business and strive to leave a path for those to follow—a continued legacy—just like Colvin left on Certified Angus Beef.

Each year top award winners receive an all-expenses-paid trip to the Certified Angus Beef Annual Conference. There, students have the opportunity to interact with leaders in the production, packing, retail and foodservice industries. The Colvin Golf Classic and auction are held in conjunction with the conference to raise funds for the scholarship program.

At the 2022 Annual Conference, the brand’s partners raised a record $152,800 to support the endowed Colvin Scholarship Fund.

“At Certified Angus Beef, we are appreciative of the generosity of our partners and their commitment to helping the next generation thrive in the beef industry,” Matter says. “We are excited to continue supporting students’ passions and carrying on the legacy of our founders through this fund.”

Colvin Scholarship Applications Now Open

Certified Angus Beef supports college students through three categories of scholarships closing April 30.

by Kylee Kohls

March 31, 2022

Certified Angus Beef (CAB) will award more than $50,000 in scholarships this year to students who are honing their interests through a variety of education options in the pursuit of a career in agriculture.

Helping make these student’s dreams become a reality, CAB created the Colvin Scholarship Fund to honor Louis M. “Mick” Colvin, CAB co-founder and executive director for its first 22 years. This fund was established to carry his vision of creating a stronger beef business.

The Colvin Scholarship Fund supports the next generation of agricultural leaders who are dedicated to preserving farm and ranch traditions, researching and developing improved beef quality practices, and devoting their careers, studies and activities to making the beef industry even better.

Over the last 23 years, 101 students have received $348,500 in Colvin Scholarships. In 2021, the brand awarded $59,000 to 15 graduate and undergraduate scholars. With increasing support from brand partners, this amount continues to grow.

“We recognize there are different avenues for the next generation to prepare for their future beyond a four-year institution,” John Stika, CAB president says. “Thanks to the generosity of our licensees, we have the opportunity to continue to provide scholarships and expand the reach of those resources.”

This year, the Colvin Scholarship Fund includes a new category: the Colvin Production Agriculture Scholarship. This is for students enrolled in a variety of educational programs such as trade school, junior college, university or formal certification program with the intention of being involved in Angus production at a ranch, farm or feedyard.

“This new category gives a nod to the students who share the same grassroots passion that Mick had as a herdsman and farm manager before he changed beef quality,” Stika says. “Beyond scholastic qualification, the production agriculture scholarship is created to support a broader cross-section of the next generation with plans to go back to production agriculture.”

Applications for all scholarships are open until April 30, 2022, for students pursuing a degree in meat science, animal science, economics, marketing, business, communications, or other beef-related fields or trades. To apply, visit the brand’s careers webpage and click on one of the three 2022 Colvin Scholarship links under “Scholarship and Seminar Opportunities.”

The production agriculture, undergraduate and graduate scholarship applications each have unique requirements including, but not limited to, essay questions, resumes and letters of recommendation. The Colvin Scholarship Fund Committee selects applicants based on activities, scholastic achievement, communication skills and reference materials. Scholarship recipients will be notified in July.

First-place winners in each division will receive $7,500 and an all-expense-paid trip to the 2022 CAB Annual Conference in Phoenix, Ariz., Sept. 28 to 30, where they can connect with the brand’s partners in production, packing, retail and foodservice.

Committed students earn CAB Colvin Scholarships

by Kylee Kohls

May 6, 2020

Goal-getters and difference makers, innovators and change curators – today’s students are tomorrow’s leaders. Supporting these creative and intelligent young people, the 2020 Colvin Scholarship Fund awarded $42,000 to 10 who are pursuing degrees in animal and meat sciences across the country.

Honoring the Certified Angus Beef^® (CAB^®) brand co-founder and executive director of 22 years, Louis “Mick” Colvin, the Fund supported 86 recipients to date. Since 1999, the scholarship has carried on Colvin’s legacy of making dreams a reality and inspiring others to do their best.

Recognizing community involvement, commitment to success and progress in the beef industry, the program recently announced 2020 recipients.

Undergraduate awards:

$7,500 – Conner McKinzie Stephenville, Texas – Texas Tech University
$5,000 – Natalie Hawkins, Atwood, Kan. – Oklahoma State University
$5,000 – Kaylee Greiner, Christiansburg, Va. – Texas A&M University
$5,000 – Sarah Bludau, Hallettsville, Texas – Texas A&M University
$3,000 – Emily Glenn, Scott City, Kan. – Kansas State University
$3,000 – Hattie Duncan, Wingate, Ill. –University of Illinois

Graduate awards:

$7,500 – Luke Fuerniss, Loveland, Colo. – Texas Tech University
$3,000 – Samantha Werth, Rancho Buena Vista, Calif. – University of California, Davis
$2,000 – Lindsay Upperman, Chambersburg, Penn. – University of Nebraska-Lincoln
$1,000 – Keayla Harr, Jeromesville, Ohio – Kansas State University

colvin scholarship winner, conner mckinzie, texas tech university

sarah bludau, colvin scholarship winner, Texas A&M University

natalie hawkins, colvin scholarship winner, oklahoma state university

emily glenn, colvin scholarship winner, Kansas State University

kaylee greiner, colvin scholarship winners, Texas A&M University

hattie duncan, colvin scholarship winner, university of illinois

Their essays on ambitious goals and plans to impact the beef business were part of the highly competitive selection process. Applicants were asked to outline a proposal to distinguish CAB from the 90 other USDA-certified programs that use “Angus” labels in marketing.

Texas Tech University animal science junior Conner McKinzie proposed a “relatable” approach to differentiate CAB from others: deploy unique packaging to help tell the story of who the brand’s producers are and how their cattle live.

“Never before has there been a generation more in touch with their emotions and socially ‘awakened’ than there is today,” said McKinzie. “People want to know what they’re buying, where they’re buying it from, who raised it and what was it given in its lifetime.”

He explained how “augmented reality” can be a part of product packaging that could engage a wide variety of customers. “This would be the cornerstone for building authentic relationships with customers new and old.”

McKinzie hopes to earn master’s and doctorate degrees in food science to explore solutions to food waste and the insecurity epidemic. Embodying a service mindset, his goal is “to make our world a more efficient and food-secure place to live.”

Another idea? Kaylee Greiner suggested capitalizing on the relationship with the American Angus Association and the CAB brand to better connect producer to consumer. As the only branded beef program directly affiliated, Greiner said, “Consumers will benefit from an increase in credibility that comes with the association.”

luke fuerniss, colvin scholarship winner, texas tech university

samantha werth, colvin scholarship winner, university of california davis

lindsay upperman, colvin scholarship winner, university of nebraska-lincoln

keayla harr, colvin scholarship winner, kansas state university

The Texas A&M University animal science major said connecting the Angus community and its families to the final product will build consumer trust and bring transparency to the meat case and CAB brand.

Luke Fuerniss’s research agenda says he wants to discover new options for breeding and feeding for more high-quality beef. The Texas Tech doctorate student and graduate-award winner wrote about his project to “clarify targets for genetic selection, inform feedlot management decisions and assess the potential to replace dairy steers in the U.S. beef industry.”

Fuerniss aims to shine a light on using quality beef genetics that support feeding efficiency, sustainability and carcass consistency so that more qualify for premium branded programs.

The Certified Angus Beef Colvin Golf Classic and auction funds the scholarship program, with CAB partners raising more than $91,000 just last year, confident in the future of agriculture and students pursuing lifelong careers.

“This year’s recipients demonstrated a level of engagement, understanding and leadership in the industry rare among many young people who have already entered the industry, let alone those who are still students,” said John Stika, CAB president. “Their list of activities and plans for the future instilled a great deal of confidence that they will make a positive impact on the beef business moving forward.”

Sold: An auction tale worth retelling

There is something about an auction, no matter where or why, that evokes good memories of the energy at a community sale barn. I can almost taste the café’s homemade pie.

The Colvin Scholarship fundraiser at our CAB annual conference was no different. I was in a cocktail dress and enjoyed a fancy four-course meal, but the excitement ran as high as a South Dakota feeder calf auction.

File Oct 24, 11 22 22 PM — Mark, Justin and I weren’t dressed in our typical auction duds, but the Nashville ballroom had a familiar energy about it.

The cattlemen board members served as ring men and the audience bid on seven items to raise money for ag scholarships. (We have given out $214,000 to undergraduates and graduate students since 2002.)

The final offering? Naming rights to the 2018 Mick Colvin Scholarship Classic, the golf outing that will help partners celebrate our 40^Th Anniversary in Hawaii.

The numbers climbed as the auctioneer said, “Who’ll give me 25,000?,” and, “I’ll give thirty” came in reply. The total quickly escalated. I searched my memory bank, trying to remember the previous record.

It got beyond $50,000 and the bidders started to thin out. When there were just two left, I’d say the mood had almost turned tense.

That’s even before I knew the backstory.

Sean Hyslop, president of SYSCO Atlanta, and Kip Palmer, president of Palmer Food Services, were sitting just a couple of tables apart. When the final bid of $87,000 won the sponsorship, the room was full of excitement. Sysco Corporation set a new record in the scholarship funding and returned as the title sponsor, yet Kip admittedly felt a little defeated.

“Was I impassioned about losing it? Sure, a little bit. We didn’t do it to lose. We did it to win,” Kip told me later.

The “we” meant the independent specialty meat companies, who pooled their money with the intent of purchasing that sponsorship. “The group wanted to show their support for Mick and the scholarship.”

Our founding executive director Mick Colvin and his wife Virginia pose with the 2017 graduate scholarship winner Clay Eastwood (left) and the first place undergraduate winner Sierra Jepsen.

John Stika was giving his closing remarks when Kip asked to take the mic. He had all the independent and family-owned meat companies stand up. I wondered what was coming next.

“I’m not really used to addressing crowds,” Kip said later. “At the risk of some people not believing it, I have to say I think the words came from above.”

He told about the pooling of money, the group’s original intent, and the quick decision to change directions.

You see, earlier that day, Kansas Angus breeder Mark Gardiner took the stage, sharing his family’s experience with the wildfires this spring. Producers across the country have endured hurricanes, drought and more wildfires, and he put a face on all of those tragedies for the attendees.

“I still to this day—seeing those dead cows—think I should’ve done better. I should’ve saved them,” he said, emotion clear to those in the room. “God was good to us because of the relationships—people. Now we have the greatest opportunity in our history to make things better.”

Kansas Angus breeder Mark Gardiner recounted the tense moments leading up to and during the spring wildfires that destroyed most of his family’s ranch.

There were few dry eyes in the room.

Later, the independent group causally tossed around the idea of donating the “left over” pool to the Ashland Community Foundation’s Wildfire Relief Fund.

But they never expected it would all be left over. The most the golf sponsorship had ever gone for in the past was $43,000.

Back at the auction, in a matter of minutes, they consulted at nearby tables. Kip recalled, “We all got together and said, ‘Don’t you think we should just give it to the wildfire relief fund?’ Everybody said, ‘Yes.’”

So the entire $65,000 is headed to the fund, in addition to $20,000 raised by Del Monte Meat Company, who purchased the “From the Ashes” framed print, offered specifically for this charity.

Kip’s announcement earned a standing ovation.

And then? Sean came and put an arm half around his competitor—and volunteered that Sysco would split the golf outing sponsorship. Both his company and the Independent group will have their names and logos on the pins, without the independents paying a dime toward that, because they put it all to wildfire relief.

In a few minutes, the almost tense mood gave way to overwhelming pride that we do business with such amazing people.

“It really reiterates that we’re all in this together,” Mark said when I recounted the evening to him afterward.

“The first few days, the intensity of the situation, I said, ‘In a week, we’re going to be on our own.’ But people keep coming and keep helping,” the rancher says now. “It doesn’t matter what color you are or where you come from, people are people and good people are good people.”

The needs are great: 4,100 miles of burned fences, 30 homes lost, along with buildings, stored feed, animals.

“This money will go toward helping people who still need help. It’ll go to beef cattle producers who are still struggling and need that cash to rebuild everything that they’ve lost,” Mark says. “Thank you seems so inadequate, but those are the right words.”

May your bottom line be filled with black ink,

Miranda

P.S. The Independent Group that made this donation possible is composed of companies from across the United States and Canada. Maybe one of them supplies your favorite CAB-licensed restaurant? A huge thank you to the full list:

Neesvig’s, Inc.
Evans Meats Inc.
To-Le-Do Foodservice
Buzz Food Service
Sierra Meat & Seafood
Macgregors Meat & Seafood
Palmer Food Services
Blue Ribbon Meats Inc
Lone Star Meats
Quality Meats & Seafood
DeBragga, New York’s Butcher®
Provimi de Puerto Rico Inc
Miami Purveyors, Inc.
Purely Meat Company
Southern Foods Meat & Seafood Solutions
Lombardi Brothers Meats

Apply now for beef scholarships

CAB’s Colvin Fund offers $26,000 to six qualifying students

by Katie Alexander

Each year the Certified Angus Beef^® (CAB^®) Colvin Fund gives away thousands in scholarship dollars to students looking to make a difference in the beef community.

The annual Colvin Scholarship awards recognize Louis M. “Mick” Colvin, co-founder and executive director of the CAB brand for 21 years. After he retired in 1999, CAB established the fund to carry on his legacy of making dreams a reality and inspiring others to be their best.

Undergraduates can win $6,000, $5,000, $4,000, $3,000 and $2,000, and $6,000 for a graduate student in 2017.

College juniors and seniors who have shown commitment to the beef industry, either through coursework or activities, are encouraged to apply by the Dec. 12 deadline. These will be evaluated on activities, academic achievements, communication skills and reference letters.

“We enjoy hearing from the students and getting to see the beef business from their perspective,” says Christy Johnson, CAB director of advertising and chair of the selection committee. “It’s evidence that we’ve got some very enthusiastic young professionals who will be joining our field.”

The graduate level scholarship will be awarded to a full-time masters or doctoral student conducting research related to high-quality beef. Applications for that award are due Jan. 16, 2017.

The top undergraduate and graduate scholarship recipients will win an all-expense-paid trip to the 2017 CAB Annual Conference, Sept. 27-29 in Nashville, Tenn., to interact with leaders across the production, packing, retail and foodservice sectors.

“I am so incredibly honored,” says Shelby Schiefelbein, Kimball, Minn., winner of last year’s top undergraduate award, “to receive a scholarship honoring the man who has created the most successful branding program in the world.

“Mick Colvin has made it clear that the future of the beef industry is bright with hard work and determination,” she adds. “I am excited to be a part of it.”

Schiefelbein, who developed her industry passion growing up on the family’s Angus farm, is a senior in animal science with a minor in business and certificate in meat science at Texas A&M University.

The scholarship winners will be announced in February 2017 for applicants who demonstrate a commitment to the beef industry through the pursuit of a meat science, food science, animal science, marketing, business, communications, journalism or other related degree.

The Certified Angus Beef^® brand is the world’s leading brand of fresh beef, whose 18,000 partners worldwide sell more than 1 billion pounds annually. For more details, interested students should visit www.certifiedangusbeef.com/press/colvin.

Future leaders earn $20,000 in Colvin scholarships

by Jenny Keyes

Five college students with ag careers in mind recently won $20,000 in scholarship from the Certified Angus Beef^® (CAB^®) brand.

Each year, CAB’s Colvin Scholarship Fund recognizes outstanding students out to make a difference in the beef community. The award series honors the legacy of Louis M. “Mick” Colvin, whose dedication to those ideals helped create the brand he led for 21 years.

2016 Colvin Scholarship Awards:

$6,000 – Shelby Schiefelbein, Kimball, Minn. – Texas A&M University
$5,000 – Sierra Jepsen, Amanda, Ohio – The Ohio State University
$4,000 – Rebecca Church, Hastings, Minn. – University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
$3,000 – Evan Woodbury, Quenemo, Kan. – Kansas State University
$2,000 – Leah Scholz, Lancaster, Kan. – Kansas State University

Applicants were asked to write an essay on the meaning of sustainability for both producers and consumers.

Shelby Schiefelbein, top award winner, said Millennials are especially concerned because they are technologically oriented, “and have grown up hearing about how their choices affect the environment.”

The junior in animal science with a minor in business and certificate in meat science said the key for beef producers is to communicate their sustainability to consumers. “Using both science and emotion…puts a face on the beef industry.” After graduation, Schiefelbein plans to earn a master’s in business administration and work in agribusiness.

Sierra Jepsen, senior in ag business and $5,000 scholarship winner said consumers need to know today’s beef is raised responsibly, using as few natural resources as possible: “Between 2005 and 2011 alone, water usage was cut by 3%, greenhouse gas emissions were reduced by 2% and soil emissions were lessened by 7%, improving land, air and water quality.”

She noted the need to share with consumers the need to use technology, “that efficiency is not an enemy of sustainability,” and to stress the multi-generational families who produce beef. Jepson plans to pursue a master’s in meat science and beef management.

Hastings, Minn., junior and $4,000 winner Rebecca Church decried myths about farmers “being irresponsible stewards of the land,” when in fact they “have to be smart stewards,” because their livelihood depends on it. Facts are complex, she wrote, but consumers can understand sustainability comes down to “respect for the land, for the live cattle and for the end product.”

Evan Woodbury foresees challenges beef producers will face if they don’t use the most sustainable practices “The population has grown slightly over the past years,” he wrote. “I believe that despite what it may seem now, it will be hard to continue to grow the herd and supply.”

Leah Scholz wrote about the importance of reaching out. “The industry as a whole needs to promote education for all consumers through effective communication,” she wrote. “We must work together with consumers to keep each other informed in order to solve the frequent disputes and maintain future sustainability.”

As the top scholarship winners, Schiefelbein and Jepsen also received all-expense-paid trips to the 2016 CAB Annual Conference, Sept. 22-24 in Tucson, Ariz. There they will interact with leaders in the production, packaging, retail and foodservice areas of the beef community.

Launched in 1978 and owned by nearly 25,000 American Angus Association members, CAB is the largest brand of fresh beef in the world. Learn more about the brand at www.certifiedangusbeef.com, or access producer resources at www.cabcattle.com.

Every story has a number: $154,000

Investments can be made in many forms – perhaps a piece of land, new genetics for your cowherd, or even a basic retirement fund. Regardless of the type of investment, they are all made with the same general goal in mind – that the money you put down today will reap greater benefits in the future.

EPM_4255 (2) — Participants in this year’s G&C Food Distributors/Palmer Food Services Mick Colvin Scholarship (golf) Classic.

When Louis M. “Mick” Colvin retired as Executive Director of Certified Angus Beef, LLC in 1999, a scholarship was developed to recognize his role in making dreams a reality and inspiring others to be their best. Mick co-founded the Certified Angus Beef Program in 1978.

The Colvin Scholarship Fund is more than an investment in a college education – it’s an investment in the future leaders of the cattle and beef business. Since the first award was granted in 2002, a total of 58 different scholarships have been awarded in the sum of $154,000.

Like a wise retirement fund, the diversity of the investment can improve the overall impact. Young adults supported by the scholarship have gone on to a variety of careers – all playing vital roles in the future of the beef business. Some are focused in the Angus seedstock business, others have pioneered research initiatives in meat science, and some have shaped strong careers in agriculture journalism, among many other professions.

I’m grateful that even my own road to a career with CAB was partially paved by the scholarship fund.

The neat thing about investments is they may start small, but if made wisely will often give you the flexibility to make even bigger ones down the road. The fund that began as a single $1,500 undergraduate scholarship will award $26,000 in 2016 to five undergraduate students and one graduate student.

If you know an ambitious and deserving student who is looking to make their own investment into the future of the beef industry, it’s not too late to apply for 2016 funds. The undergraduate deadline is quickly approaching (Dec. 7^th) and graduate applications are due January 18^th.

The Angus business is better thanks to visionaries like Mick Colvin, laying a foundation for wise investment in the best resources the industry has to share – its people.

-Kara

PS–Read the entire “Every number has a story” series here:

Day one: $6.93

Day two: 2.5 million

Day three: $204.10

Day four: 12.1 million

Day five: 11/13

Day six: 8 million

Day seven: 139

Day eight: $39

Day nine: 30.1%

Day 10: 120 million

Day 11: -2.26

Day 12: 12 to 15 minutes

Day 13: 30%

Day 14: 32 million

Day 15: $154,000

Day 16: 118

$20,000 in beef scholarships

CAB’s Colvin Fund helps education dreams come true

by Miranda Reiman

October 21, 2011

Pursuing a passion for agriculture through further education—that’s the top requirement for the Louis M. “Mick” Colvin Scholarship offered by the Certified Angus Beef^® (CAB^®) brand.

This year, $15,000 will be split among five undergraduate scholarships, in the amounts of $5,000, $4,000, $3,000, $2,000 and $1,000.

College juniors and seniors who have shown commitment to the beef industry, either through coursework or activities, are encouraged to apply by the Dec. 2 deadline. Applications are evaluated on involvement and scholastic achievement, communication skills and reference letters.

A new opportunity, an additional $5,000 graduate level scholarship will also be given to a full-time masters or doctorate student conducting research related to high-quality beef production. Applications for that award are due Jan. 13, 2012.

“The graduate level scholarship will build on what the Colvin Scholarship has always done,” says Mick Colvin, who co-founded Certified Angus Beef LLC (CAB) in 1978 and served as president for 22 years. “We will be able to groom the next great scientist supporting premium beef.”

The funds given have more than doubled since 2009.

“It’s very, very gratifying to see the amount we’ve offered grow over the years,” Colvin says. “Our partners have really pitched in and they’ve made this scholarship what it is today.”

Those supporters raised a record $92,000 in scholarship monies at a golf outing and auction held during the brand’s annual conference this year in Sunriver, Ore. The dollars go into an account that generates the interest proceeds used to fund these scholarships each year. That ensures the longevity of the program and its impact on the industry.

The 2012 golf outing sponsorship was purchased by Palmer Food Services/G&C Food Distributors, Rochester, N.Y. The following companies also supported the live auction: Holten Meat Inc., East St. Louis, Ill; Cargill Meat Solutions, Wichita, Kan.; Tyson Fresh Meats Inc., Dakota Dunes, S.D.; Sysco Columbia LLC, Columbia, S.C.; Cattleman’s Choice Feedyard Inc., Gage, Okla.; Niman Ranch, Denver, Colo.; and from Canada, Retail Ready Food Products Inc., Mississauga, Ontario; GFS Montreal & Quebec; and Boucherville Quebec.

The top two recipients also win an all-expense-paid trip to the 2012 CAB Annual Conference, September 19-21 in White Sulphur Springs, W. Va. This is an opportunity to interact with leaders throughout the production, packing, retail and foodservice industries.

“I can’t say enough good about the past winners,” Colvin says. “They’re great, great students and I’m proud to be associated with them.”

The Colvin Scholarship Fund began in 1999 when Colvin retired as CAB executive director. The scholarships recognize his role in making dreams a reality and inspiring others to be their best. Colvin co-founded the CAB program in 1978, leading to establishing the world’s leading brand of fresh beef.

​$100,000 Up for Grabs with 2024 Colvin Scholarships

Applications are open through April 30 for Certified Angus Beef’s scholarship fund, supporting college students pursuing food and agriculture.

by Courtney Weekley

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The 2023 Colvin Scholarship Fund Awards Future Beef Leaders

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by Courtney Weekley, CAB Communication Specialist

Production Agriculture Awards:

Graduate Awards:

Undergraduate Awards:

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