Caple, Edquist awarded dairy scholarships
The Missouri Dairy Hall of Honors Foundation has awarded two 2023 scholarships to Jess Caple of Calhoun, Missouri and Hala Edquist of Mountain Grove, Missouri.
Jess is the recipient of the 2023 Missouri Dairy Hall of Honors Foundation Campbell-Veiten Scholarship. She is currently an animal science major and the University of Missouri. She will be pursuing both a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in livestock medicine and a Master of Science in ruminant nutrition. After graduating veterinary medical school, Jess’ career goal is to become a livestock veterinarian as well as to continue involvement in research. Her primary interest with dairy cattle is to maintain their health and increase their production longevity as much as possible. Jess is also considering teaching at the university level to pass on her passion for nutrition, veterinary medicine, and dairy cattle to college students to garner interest for managers and workers on dairy farms.
While in college, Jess has been very active in Dairy Club for three years. She has also served as an officer. and working in a ruminant nutrition lab. Although the lab is focused on beef cattle, her research has been focused on colostrum, comparing the different quarters of the udder to understand colostrogenesis in beef cattle and seeing if one quarter of the udder consistently produces higher quality colostrum than the others. Jess was also involved in 4-H and enjoys opportunities to give back to 4-H and other events that support youth in agriculture.
Hala is the 2023 Missouri Dairy Hall of Honors Foundation’s Scholarship recipient. She is currently pursuing a double bachelor’s in environmental plant science-crop science and animal science, with a minor in ranch management and undergraduate certificate in soil science at Missouri State University in Springfield. Hala was raised on a registered Holstein dairy farm where her duties included feeding calves to provide them with the best nutrition possible, and giving them the proper bedding. After graduation, she hopes to consult with farmers whether it be with crops, grain, or forage, and cattle.
Hala was also active in 4-H and FFA. She was a member of the Missouri 4-H dairy judging team and competed at the national shows in Kentucky, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. In 2019, she finished second in Ayrshires and tenth in Brown Swiss at the World Dairy Expo. In FFA, Hala served as the President in her local chapter her Senior year and was the Area 13 First Vice President. She was involved in numerous other FFA leadership activities and competitions such as Washington Leadership Conference and Farm Bureau Legislative Day. Hala also received the American FFA Degree.
The Missouri Dairy Hall of Honors Foundation annually presents a scholarship of up to $2,500 to encourage one or more upper class Missouri college students who have demonstrated the potential to become future leaders and contributors to the Missouri dairy industry. This scholarship is funded by the generosity of Dairy Farmers of America, F&H, Hiland Dairy, and the Emory Vieten and Dr. John Campbell families.
The Missouri Dairy Hall of Honors Foundation was established in 1988 to recognize and honor individuals whose leadership and outstanding contributions over their lifetime have significantly improved the Missouri dairy industry.