2021 Scholarships Awarded
Montana Farmers Union is proud to select youth scholarship recipients each year who embody the values of the 100+ year old organization. Read about these impressive young folks! To learn more about the scholarships, visit our scholarships page.
Abby Clark
Scholarship Received: Montana Farmers Union Scholarship & John Korsbeck Memorial Scholarship
College Attending: Montana Tech
Degree Pursuing: Materials and Metallurgical Engineering
Bio: I’ve been involved in Farmers Union for several years, attending camps, and serving as a Junior Dean and now a counselor. I’ve also been elected to the SYAC two year in a row and am finishing up my last year! I’ve always had an interest in STEM, and I believe that growing up on a farm and being exposed to the agricultural industry allowed me to explore that interest even further. I’m a signed athlete with Montana Tech’s new track team, and I’m no stranger to a busy schedule. I’m excited to stay in our beautiful state for school, continue with athletics, and hopefully use my future degree somewhere in the agricultural industry.
Katherine Bold
Scholarship Received: Chouteau County Farmers Union Scholarship
College Attending: Carroll College
Degree Pursuing: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Bio: I am planning a career as a Botanical Biochemist. While living and working on our family farm, I have observed how different plant toxins can positively or adversely affect both animals and plant life, and I want to research the reasons for which it occurs. The career path I am choosing will allow me to help develop affordable and effective-plant based pesticides that can be used in conjunction with current commercial chemicals to help diversify weed and pest management.
Cole Arthur
Scholarship Received: Bud Daniels Memorial Scholarship
College Attending: Montana State University, Bozeman
Degree Pursuing: Major in Mechanical Engineering with Minors in Aerospace Engineering & Physics
Bio: I graduated from CMR High School in the spring of 2021 and am now attending Montana State University, Bozeman. I am working towards a mechanical engineering major with minors in physics and aerospace engineering. I am also working in the Montana State University Space Science and Engineering Laboratory where I have been constructing, testing and operating small spacecraft that will eventually improve the accuracy of weather forecasting. As a middle school and high school student, I attended Montana Farmers Union Youth Camps at Arrowpeak Lodge and now work as staff, totaling nearly a decade of involvement. I would like to return as a counselor for a few more summers since I really enjoy the work and find it rewarding, however that must be balanced with looking for internships and future employment. I am beginning to look into internships everywhere from SpaceX and Planet Labs to Case IH and Caterpillar.
Cory Kelly
Scholarship Received: Montana Farmers Union Scholarship & John Korsbeck Memorial Scholarship
College Attending: Montana State University, Bozeman
Degree Pursuing: Continuing degree in Construction Engineering Technology
Bio: This summer I have been working as a land surveyor in Idaho for an engineering firm and really getting into the meat and potatoes of what I would be doing with my degree. I am loving it and learning tremendous amounts about the job every day. My future goals are to graduate with my CET degree and then work for different people for a few years. Eventually I would like to own my own land surveying practice. In my free time I love to get outdoors with things like snowboarding, hiking, and fishing. I would like to thank Farmers Union for everything it has done for me throughout my life and for the continued support.
James Van Spyk
Scholarship Received: Cascade Farmers Union Scholarship
College Attending: Montana State University, Bozeman
Degree Pursuing: Computer Science
Bio: I was born and raised in Great Falls, MT. I’ve always loved Montana with its priceless outdoors experience which is why I’m pursuing a military career at Montana State University with ROTC. In the future, I plan on commissioning as a cyberspace officer in the air force so I can serve my country.
