Wisconsin Holstein Association

Wisconsin Holstein Memorial Scholarships

The following named scholarships are awarded at the annual Junior Holstein Convention through the Wisconsin Holstein Foundation, Inc.

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Presidents' Scholarship:

The Presidents' Scholarship was established in 2020 with funds donated by friends and family of past Wisconsin Holstein Association Presidents. The scholarship honors past leaders of the Wisconsin Holstein Association and will be given to the top applicant each year.

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Maurice and Geraldine Cooper Memorial Scholarship:

The Maurice and Geraldine Cooper Scholarship was established in honor of Maurice and Geraldine Cooper, lifelong Holstein breeders from Moss Oak Farm, DeForest, Wis., by their family and friends. The couple were active members, supporters and leaders of 4-H and all levels of the Holstein Association. Maurice was a director of the Wisconsin Holstein Association; a director, president and secretary of the Dane County Holstein Association; a delegate to the National Holstein Convention multiple times; and served on many industry Boards including DHI and World Dairy Expo. The Wisconsin Holstein Association recognized Maurice and Gerry with the Distinguished Holstein Breeder Award in 1994 and Maurice with the Distinguished Service Award in 2004. Love of family, Holsteins, service to the community, and support of youth activities were paramount in their lives. This award is given to a student enrolled in a four-year university.

 

Marlowe Nelson Memorial Scholarship:

The scholarship is given in honor of Marlowe whose passion was to teach and mentor young enthusiastic breeders to become more involved in the Registered Holstein business. Throughout his lifetime, Marlowe paved the way in many aspects of the Registered Holstein breed and its impact on the United States, Japan, Germany and Holland dairy industries. This award is given to a student enrolled at a 4-year university or technical college, two-year or short course agriculture program on a rotating basis.

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Doris Morris Memorial Scholarship:

Doris and her husband Arden, along with Arden’s brother Maldwyn and his wife, Inez, owned and operated Arwyn Farms in Waukesha County for over 40 years. This scholarship is in honor of Doris who was longtime Wisconsin Holstein member from Waukesha County and is the mother of Tom Morris, whose family and friends graciously fund the award. This award is given to a student enrolled in a four year university.

 

Bradley Fust Memorial Scholarship: 

The Bradley Fust scholarship is given in memory of Brad who was tragically killed in an auto accident. Brad was an enthusiastic member of the Junior Holstein Association from Wausau, Wis., and this scholarship was established by Brad's parents, Brian and Wendy Fust, with the sale of one of Brad's heifers. This award is given to a student enrolled in a four year university.

 

Gordon Berg Memorial Scholarship: 

Gordon was a long-time Wisconsin Holstein member and breeder from Brownsville, Wis. Gordon’s sister, Vivian Minor, started the Gordon Berg Scholarship. She made up the “VI” in the famed VIGO herd prefix with her brother, Gordon, making up the “GO.” We hope this award has special meaning to you since Gordon was a well-respected breeder who bred outstanding registered Holsteins in the Dodge County area his entire life. Gordon was a great cowman. This scholarship is given to a student enrolled in a technical college, two-year, or short course agriculture program.

 

John Klossner Memorial Scholarship: 

The John Klossner Memorial Scholarship was established for John - a young man who touched many lives during his short Junior Holstein career. The scholarship is given in memory of John who tragically passed away in an accident while exhibiting at one of his favorite events - the Wisconsin Junior State Fair. John was active in the Green County Junior Holstein Association and served on the Wisconsin Junior Holstein Junior Activities Committee. He attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison and was an active member of the Badger Dairy Club and AGR at UW. He was also an accomplished cattle showman and had won many awards. This scholarship was established by John’s parents Richard and Roxanne Klossner and is given to a student furthering their education at a four year university. 

 

John Selz Memorial Scholarship: 

The John Selz Memorial Scholarship fund was established in honor of John Selz of Humbird, Wisc. He managed his family’s farm, Selz Farm, which was in his family for over 125 years. John was actively involved in the Wisconsin and National Holstein Associations in various capacities for numerous years. Through his life, John served as a strong advocate for progressive dairying and the Holstein industry. Specifically, he served as President of both the National Holstein Association and Wisconsin Holstein Association and was the first chairman of the Wisconsin Holstein Jr. Activities Committee. He was a long-time advocate of developing Wisconsin's Holstein youth. He also served on the World Dairy Expo Board of Directors, Purebred Dairy Cattle Association Board, the Council on Dairy Cattle Breeding, the U.S. Animal Health Association Board and the University of Wisconsin Board of Visitors. His incredible insight and leadership earned him many prestigious honors including the WI Holstein Distinguished Breeder Award, World Dairy Expo Dairyman of the Year, WI Agriculturalist Award the College of Agricultural & Life Sciences Award of Distinction, and the UW-River Falls Top Agriculturalist Award.

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Annette Ostrom Memorial Scholarship

The Annette Ostrom Memorial Scholarship celebrates the life and legacy of a friend, a philanthropist, a coach and a leader within the Holstein Association. Annette Ostrom of De Pere, Wis., was the picture of grace and beauty as she paraded Holsteins across the shavings with her Milk Source family. Yet, her greatest impacts were in the way she connected with each individual who crossed her path. As an advisor and dairy quiz bowl coach in Brown County, Annette was a cheerleader for youth, going out of her way to give back and with a warm smile and an ear ready to listen to young members talk about the cows they too loved. With her husband, Jim Ostrom, the couple co-founded Dairy Cares, a non-profit organization that has raised more than $2 million for Children’s Wisconsin (formerly Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin) over the past decade.  She also was well loved by the dairy community she served through her career as an animal health professional. However, awards and recognition were not Annette’s ambition. Her greatest commitment was to her family and her children: Carlie, Mac, Shelby and Tristen.

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2024 Scholarship Winners

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Baraboo, Wis. – June 3, 2024 - The Wisconsin Holstein Foundation is honored to award scholarships to 11 deserving youth members. These scholarships are awarded to members who are or will be attending two- or four-year universities with preference given to those pursuing undergraduate degrees in an agriculture-related field. Awards will be presented at the 2025 Wisconsin Holstein Association Junior Convention.

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Garrett Ulness of Valders will be receiving the $2,000 Presidents’ Scholarship. This scholarship, which honors past leaders of the Wisconsin Holstein Association, is given to the top applicant each year. Garrett is the son of Mark and Angie Ulness. He will be a sophomore at UW-Madison where he is studying dairy science with a certificate in agriculture business management. Garrett’s end career goal is to return home to the family farm, Ragnar Holsteins.

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Ashley Brandel of Lake Mills is the recipient of the $2,000 Doris Morris Memorial Scholarship. This scholarship is in honor of Doris, who was a long-time Wisconsin Holstein member. Doris and her husband Arden, and Arden’s brother, Maldwyn, and his wife, Inez, owned and operated Arwyn Farms in Waukesha County for over 40 years. Ashley is the daughter of Matt and Tracy Brandel. She will start college in the fall at UW-Platteville where she plans to earn a degree in dairy science with a goal of opening a donor site for reproductive work of high type cattle while remaining active on her family’s farm, Straussdale Holsteins.

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Amelia Dittman is the recipient of the $1,750 John Selz Memorial Scholarship. The John Selz Memorial Scholarship fund was established in honor of John Selz of Humbird, Wisconsin. He managed his family’s farm, Selz Farm, which was in his family for over 125 years. John was actively involved in the Wisconsin and National Holstein Associations in various capacities for numerous years. Through his life, John served as a strong advocate for progressive dairying and the Holstein industry. Amelia is the daughter of Darren and Kristin Dittman, New Richmond. Having completed her freshman year at UW-Madison with a major in psychology and minors in art and business, Amelia hopes to become an art therapist while also being active in the dairy industry.

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Brooklyn Schowerer of Edgar is the recipient of the $1,750 Bradley Fust Memorial Scholarship. This scholarship is given in memory of Brad, who was an enthusiastic member of the Junior Holstein Association from Wausau. The scholarship was established by Brad’s parents, Brian and Wendy Fust, with the sale of one of Brad’s heifers. Brooklyn is the daughter of Rick Schwoerer and Mina Gumieny. She will be a sophomore at UW-Madison studying dairy science and plans to obtain a career in dairy cattle genetics.

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Chloe Breunig of Sheboygan Falls is the recipient of the $1,750 Maurice and Geraldine Cooper Memorial Scholarship. This scholarship is given in memory of Maurice and Geraldine Cooper, lifelong Holstein breeders from Moss Oak Farm. Maurice was a director of the Wisconsin Holstein Association; a director, president, and secretary of the Dane County Holstein Association; a delegate to the National Holstein Convention multiple times; and served on many industry boards including DHI and World Dairy Expo. Love of family, Holsteins, service to the community and support of youth activities were paramount in their lives. Chloe is the daughter of Mark and Kelley Breunig. She is a graduate of Oostburg High School and plans to attend UW-Madison in the fall to study dairy science. Her future plans include returning to her family’s farm as the fifth generation.

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Wesley Winch, Fennimore, is the recipient of the $1,750 Marlowe Nelson Memorial Scholarship. This scholarship is given in memory of Marlowe whose passion was to teach and mentor young enthusiastic breeders to become more involved in the Registered Holstein business. Through his lifetime, Marlowe paved the way in many aspects of the Registered Holstein breed and its impact on the United States, Japan, Germany and Holland. Welsey is the son of Peter and Christina Winch. As a recent graduate of Fennimore High School, he will attend Southwest Wisconsin Technical College in the fall. Following college, Wesley plans to continue to grow his small hoof trimming business.

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Receiving the $1,750 John Klossner Memorial Scholarship is Aspen Hagen of Spencer. The John Klossner Memorial Scholarship is given in memory of John - a young man who touched many lives during his short Junior Holstein career, and who tragically passed away in an accident while exhibiting at one of his favorite events - the Wisconsin Junior State Fair. John was active in the Green County Junior Holstein Association and served on the Wisconsin Junior Holstein Junior Activities Committee. He attended UW-Madison and was an active member of the Badger Dairy Club and AGR. He was also an accomplished cattle showman and had won many awards. This scholarship was established by John’s parents, Richard and Roxanne Klossner, and given to a student who is considered a role model to other junior members. Aspen is the daughter of Jeremiah and Sherry Hagen. She is attending Northcentral Technical College focusing on dairy science and agriculture business with plans to work in the dairy nutrition field.

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Payton Calvert, Cuba City, will be receiving the $1,750 Gordon Berg Memorial Scholarship. Gordon was a long-time Wisconsin Holstein member and breeder from Brownsville, Wisconsin. Gordon’s sister, Vivian Minor, started the Gordon Berg Scholarship. She made up the “VI” in the famed VIGO herd prefix with her brother, Gordon, making up the “GO.” Gordon was a well-respected breeder who bred outstanding Registered Holsteins in the Dodge County area his entire life. Payton is the son of Bill and Kelle Calvert. He is a graduate of Cuba City High School with plans to continue his education at Southwest Wisconsin Technical College in agriculture and technology.

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Ian Spoke of Waterloo is the recipient of the $1750 Annette Ostrom Memorial Scholarship. This scholarship celebrates the life and legacy of a friend, a philanthropist, a coach and a leader within the Holstein Association. Annette Ostrom of De Pere, Wis., was the picture of grace and beauty as she paraded Holsteins across the shavings with her Milk Source family. Yet, her greatest impact was in the way she connected with each individual who crossed her path. As an advisor and dairy quiz bowl coach in Brown County, Annette was a cheerleader for youth, going out of her way to give back and with a warm smile and an ear ready to listen to young members talk about the cows they too loved. With her husband, Jim Ostrom, the couple co-founded Dairy Cares, a non-profit organization that has raised more than $2 million for Children’s Wisconsin over the past decade. She also was well loved by the dairy community she served throughout her career as an animal health professional. However, awards and recognition were not Annette’s ambition. Her greatest commitment was to her family and her children: Carlie, Mac, Shelby and Tristen. Ian is the son of Jeff and Jenny Spoke and a recent graduate of Waterloo High School. He will continue his education at South Dakota State University where he plans to study dairy production and agricultural sciences.

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The recipient of a special $1,750 scholarship with funds donated by Richard and Peggy Daluge is Summer Hammann of Barron. Summer is the daughter of Scot and Becky Hammann. A graduate of Barron High School, she plans to attend UW-Madison to obtain a degree in dairy science with a minor in agriculture business management with plans to work as a herd manager.

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Receiving a $1,750 scholarship from the Wisconsin Holstein Foundation is Claire Betley of Pulaski. Claire is the daughter of Jeff and Jena Betley. She recently wrapped up her freshman year at Iowa State University where she is working toward her degree in agriculture business with a certificate in dairy cattle production and management.

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The Wisconsin Holstein Foundation is proud of these deserving youth. All Wisconsin Holstein Association members that are attending a two or four-year university for an undergraduate degree are encouraged to apply for scholarships, with applications due March 1 each year.