Nebraska Farm Bureau Awards Student Project Grants to 4-H and FFA students in Hamilton, Keith, and Merrick Counties

LINCOLN, NEB. – From horticulture and rodeo to cattle and chickens, the passions of the winners of the Nebraska Farm Bureau Student Project Grants shine through in each of their projects.

Nebraska Farm Bureau Student Project Grants, supported by the Charles Marshall Fund at the Nebraska Farm Bureau Foundation, were awarded to four deserving student Farm Bureau members in Hamilton, Keith, and Merrick counties. Each student was awarded one thousand dollars to be used to either begin or expand their 4-H project or FFA Supervised Agricultural Experiences (SAE) project.

“We are proud of the entrepreneurial spirit our student members embrace and are very impressed by the dedication they have shown with their projects,” said Audrey Schipporeit, director of generational engagement. “Nebraska Farm Bureau is thrilled to support these students and hopes these funds will help them achieve their goals. We look forward to watching them continue to bring innovative ideas and ventures into their communities for years to come.”

The grants are awarded to Nebraska Farm Bureau student members each year. If selected, the student must share how they have used the grant towards starting or growing their 4-H or SAE projects. Winners were selected by a Farm Bureau committee.

Grant recipients are as follows:

• Morgan Bonifas is a Hamilton County Farm Bureau member. Bonifas has a small business, Morgan’s Mums and More, where she grows varieties of mums, spring bedding plants, and poinsettias. She plans to grow her operation by adding a heat source to her greenhouse, expanding into new areas, and buying additional plants to raise and sell.

• Kallie Eisenzimmer is a Keith County Farm Bureau member and will use her grant money to purchase three Holstein cross calves to further fuel her passion for equine management and breakaway roping. This will allow her to practice roping more often at home rather than relying on neighbor’s livestock. Her goal is to qualify for the Nebraska High School State Rodeo finals and grow her equine management skills.

• Brekyn Papineau is a member of the Hamilton County Farm Bureau who owns and operates his own poultry entrepreneurship. Papineau raises hens for egg production and meat birds. He plans to purchase the materials needed to build mobile housing units and a freezer for increased storage. This grant will help him meet the demand for eggs and meat in his community.

• Noah Stocker is a Merrick County Farm Bureau member and raises a small cow/calf herd. With this grant, Stocker plans to expand his herd and in doing so, his knowledge of the livestock industry, finances, and decisions making processes. He hopes to one day manage a large cow/calf operation.

Those interested in applying for the Student Project Grants must meet certain requirements. Applicants must hold a current Nebraska Farm Bureau student membership and be ages 16-23 to participate. To join Nebraska Farm Bureau and learn more, visit www.nefb.org.

The Nebraska Farm Bureau is a grassroots, state-wide organization dedicated to supporting farm and ranch families and working for the benefit of all Nebraskans through a wide variety of educational, service, and advocacy efforts. More than 55,000 families across Nebraska are Farm Bureau members, working together to achieve rural and urban prosperity as agriculture is a key fuel to Nebraska’s economy. For more information about Nebraska Farm Bureau and agriculture, visit www.nefb.org.