Jacob Harbaugh receives CPDF’s $10,000 Emery Bartle Scholarship

The Central Plains Dairy Foundation (CPDF) named Jacob Harbaugh, a University of Minnesota-Twin Cities student from Marion, Wis., as CPDF’s first-ever Emery Bartle Scholarship recipient. The $10,000 scholarship,

geared toward dairy production students, is named in memory of Emery Bartle, who graduated in 1926 from South Dakota State University’s dairy production department and devoted his career to enhancing dairy production systems.

Other CPDF scholarships went to Kaleb Heins, a University of Minnesota-Twin Cities student from Morris, Minn., Kayla Visser, a University of Minnesota-Twin Cities student from Hutchinson, Minn., and Lindsay Beyer, an Iowa State University student from Independence, Iowa. Heins and Visser won $5,000 CPDF Scholarships. CPDF scholarships go to students who have completed at least one semester of post-secondary education and are pursuing a degree in agriculture, with an emphasis in the dairy industry. Preference is given to applicants in Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin.

Beyer won the $1,000 Lon and Kathy Tonneson Scholarship. The Tonneson Scholarship goes to a student pursuing a degree in agriculture with emphasis in ag communication and/or leadership. This scholarship honors the Tonnesons for their years of dedication to growing agriculture, supporting the local dairy industry and growing the Central Plains Dairy Expo into the most reputable dairy show in the region.

An animal science and applied economics major, Harbaugh currently serves as the University of Minnesota Alpha Gamma Rho (AGR) Fraternity president. In Gopher Dairy Club, he is on the leadership team, holding the post of officer at-large, and chairs the Judging Contest Committee. Last year, Harbaugh was a University of Minnesota Dairy Judging team member and placed first in oral reasons at the Vernon County (Wisconsin)

Intercollegiate Dairy Cattle Judging Contest. During the 2024 World Dairy Expo, Harbaugh was recognized as the Merle Howard Award recipient. As a Wisconsin Junior Holstein Association member, he served two years on the Junior Activities Committee and participated in Dairy Quiz Bowl and Dairy Jeopardy.

Heins, an animal science – dairy production major, is a FarmHouse Fraternity member who is the director of administration and alumni relations, and was the director of house maintenance and risk management. Last year, he interned with Riverview, LLP. This role exposed him to a wide range of responsibilities, from reproduction and mastitis control to maternity and calf care, equipment maintenance and nutrition management. Also, Heins completed an internship with the University of Minnesota Research and Outreach Center in Morris. He helped collect data on calf growth, breeding patterns, fly populations and forage development.

An animal science and agriculture communications major, Visser belongs to Beta of Clovia Sorority, Gopher Dairy Club, Agricultural Education, Communications and Marketing Club, and College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences Mentor Program. Involvement in these groups allows Visser to connect with faculty, professionals and peers with similar interests, all of which have aided in narrowing her future career plans. In addition to university activities, Visser serves as the McLeod County Dairy Princess and Minnesota Jersey Queen. She credits the dairy industry for building her work and resilience skills.

Beyer is an agriculture communications major and currently serves as an Iowa FFA state officer. Active in the Agriculture Communicators of Tomorrow and Sigma Alpha Delta, she stated, “In an ever-changing society, one thing remains constant: agriculture is the ‘backbone’ of our world.” Beyer’s belief that communication and leadership are essential in agriculture stems from more than just her education; it comes from her experiences. She believes that the most effective way to communicate with consumers and articulate the importance of agriculture is through stories and experiences – not through impressive facts or big words.

The Central Plains Dairy Foundation is an independent 501(c)(3) committed to supporting dairy and the communities it sustains across Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota. CPDF invests in the people of dairy and supports efforts that strengthen the industry, encourages innovation and education, building a vibrant future for dairy in the region.