COLUMBIA, Mo. – Four participants in the University of Missouri Division of Animal Sciences 2021 Leadership Academy took home $500 scholarships to MU’s College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources.

MU Extension swine nutritionist Marcia Shannon said winners were selected by their peers based on group presentations on current topics.

The winning team consisted of Brooke Anderson, Ionia; Aubrey Mattson, Conception Junction; Jadyn Lower, Humansville; and Alex Schnell, Sturgeon. They presented on the topic of animal welfare.

Sixteen student leaders with an interest in agriculture learned about the livestock industry during the four-day June event held at MU. Students toured leading agriculture industry sites such as the Tyson Foods hatchery and processing plant in Sedalia, Square B Cattle Co., Mid-States Specialty Eggs, Sydenstricker Genetics and Sydenstricker Equipment, the MU Swine Farm, and the MU Equine Center. Students also got to meet agricultural leaders in the state such as Garrett Hawkins, Blake Rollins, Joe Abbott, Ben Eggers and Mike John.

Shannon and MU Extension livestock specialist David Hoffman have led the academy since it began six years ago.

“The event gives future leaders in the agricultural industry an opportunity to meet MU faculty and staff, and agricultural association and industry leaders while networking with other young leaders across the state,” said Shannon. “Each year we try to change up the touring spots as well, and this year we added leadership development opportunities such as officer of the day, scribes and discussion facilitators.”

This year’s participants were Brooke Anderson, Ionia; Avery Neidholdt, Keytesville; Libby Kleinsorge, Middletown; Kristen Rieke, Linn; Ella Shelton, Harrisonville; Emma Bruns, Bosworth; Trey Hoffman, Archie; Laine Schmalzried, Raymore; Luke Schroeder, Westphalia; Abbey Wright, Marceline; Aubrey Mattson, Conception Junction; Bianca Biggs, Plano, Texas; Jadyn Lower, Humansville; Alex Schnell, Sturgeon; Nicole Sjorstrand, Ashland; and Jesse Shannon, Centralia.

Program partners for the event: MU Division of Animal Sciences, MU School of Veterinary Medicine, Lincoln University, FCS Financial, Missouri Farm Bureau, Missouri Pork Association, Tyson Foods Inc., Square B Cattle Co., Mid-States Specialty Eggs, Sydenstricker Genetics and Sydenstricker Equipment, MFA Health Track Beef Alliance, SimGenetics and American Simmental Association.

Photos available:

https://extension.missouri.edu/media/wysiwyg/Extensiondata/NewsAdmin/Photos/2021/20120624-asla-1.jpg
MU Animal Sciences 2021 Leadership Academy $500 scholarship winners were Jadyn Lower, Humansville; Brooke Anderson, Ionia; Aubrey Mattson, Conception Junction; and Alex Schnell, Sturgeon. Photo courtesy of Marcia Shannon.

https://extension.missouri.edu/media/wysiwyg/Extensiondata/NewsAdmin/Photos/2021/20120624-asla-2.jpg
The MU Animal Sciences 2021 Leadership Academy class included, from left, Brooke Anderson, Ionia; Avery Neidholdt, Keytesville; Libby Kleinsorge, Middletown; Kristen Rieke, Linn; Ella Shelton, Harrisonville; Emma Bruns, Bosworth; Trey Hoffman, Archie; Laine Schmalzried, Raymore; Luke Schroeder, Westphalia; Abbey Wright, Marceline; Aubrey Mattson, Conception Junction; Bianca Biggs, Plano, Texas; Jadyn Lower, Humansville; Alex Schnell, Sturgeon; Nicole Sjorstrand, Ashland; and Jesse Shannon, Centralia.