Colorado Farm Show Announces 2021 Scholarship Winners
December 4, 2020 – GREELEY, CO (AgPR) – The Colorado Farm Show will award ten high school seniors and two college students a total of $27,000 to help with their higher education goals and expenses. The Colorado Farm Show Board would like to wish all recipients Good Luck in their future educational paths, including:
$4000 Rolling Scholarship Recipients
- Ema Richardson of Yuma
- Jed Sidwell of Gill
$2000 Chuck Urano Memorial Scholarship Recipients
- Charles (George) Graybill of Keenesburg
- Morgan Barba of Henderson
- Niquole Knapp of Rocky Ford
- Tristin Niccoli of Joes
- Jayci Mekelburg of Eckley
- Kaley Pieper of Fowler
$2000 Carl Luther Memorial Vo-Tech Scholarships
- Austin Hays of Eaton
- Reid Grimes of Windsor
$1500 Secondary Scholarship Recipients
- Kirsten Wood of Weldona
- Macy Collins of Meeker
Learn more about each of the 2021 Colorado Farm Show Scholarship Winners below or online at www.coloradofarmshow.com.
The 2021 Colorado Farm Show Scholarships will be awarded at a banquet in their honor on Saturday January 30th, 2021 by invitation and for those that wish to watch the ceremony can do so LIVE online, check the Colorado Farm Show Facebook, Instagram & website for specific time.
This brings the total scholarship dollars awarded by the Colorado Farm Show to $289,000!
More about the 2022 Colorado Farm Show
The 57th annual Colorado Farm Show was postponed and will return on January 25-26-27, 2022, The event will once again feature close to 300 ag-related exhibitors and draws in more than 30,000 visitors from throughout the region, who are interested in learning more about ag products, services, and machinery. There will once again be numerous educational breakout sessions over the 3-day show featuring:
Beef, Equine, Dairy, Sheep, Colorado Produce, Colorado Agriculture Education Days, Ag Spotlight, Ag Outlook, Colorado Weather Report, Weeds, Partners in Ag & many more…
There is never an admission fee to attend, just simply a $5 parking fee, which will include complimentary shuttle service from your car to the front door, and it goes towards funding the annual CFS Scholarships too. There is never a limit on how many people you can load in your car, truck, semi or tractor for that matter…So, we hope YOU are making plans to attend each and every day in 2022!
More details about the 57th Colorado Farm Show, coming up Jan 25-26-27, 2022, will be made available in the months to come…Once again, learn more about the 2021 Colorado Farm Show Scholarship Winners on our newly redesigned website online at www.coloradofarmshow.com.
Learn more about the 2021 CFS Scholarship Recipients –
Rolling Scholarship Recipients
Jed Sidwell will graduate from Platte Valley High School in Kersey and intends to pursue a degree in either Agricultural Economics or Agricultural Business & Management. He is an 11-year member in 4-H and has had success on the local, state, and national levels exhibiting market lambs and steers. Twice he earned market lamb Premier Exhibitor at the National Western Stock Show. Jed states that his experience on the Weld County Livestock Judging team that recently competed at the national contest at the American Royal has given him the skills and opportunity to be a face to the public for agriculture. Jed has been part of FFA for six years and earned a national silver pin while helping his chapter be recognized as one of the top eight programs in the country. He is an avid wrestler and was a state-qualifier this past year. Jed has completed many community-service projects through school, 4-H, and his church. His parents are Casey and Clint Sidwell from Gill.
Chuck Urano Memorial Scholarship Recipients
Charles “George” Graybill attends Weld Central High School in Keenesburg and will study Agricultural Business following his graduation. George wants to be a farmer and rancher and already has a sweet corn business and his own cattle herd. He believes that a business degree will give him the tools and techniques to be a better businessman and more successful in developing his markets. He is a 10-year member of the Prospectors 4-H Club and a 4-year member of Weld Central FFA where he held several office positions, including President. While he has considered other careers, George says that “no other career is more fun, challenging, and meaningful than agriculture.” In high school he competed in football, basketball, and track & field. He competed in the state championship track meet his sophomore year, placing sixth in discus. His parents are Gerald and Kelly Graybill from Keenesburg.
Morgan Barba thought she had her future all planned out and then Covid-19 happened. Her decision to participate in an informative speech contest during a safer-at-home order led her to discover the field of agronomy. Now, after graduation from Prairie View High School in Brighton, she plans to attend Fort Hays State University in Kansas to study Agronomy and Agribusiness. Morgan is an active 10-year member of the Purple Circle 4-H Club and is currently vice-president of the Colorado 4-H State Officer Team. She has won numerous awards including being recognized as the Premier Exhibitor for Rabbit, Poultry, Goat, and Sheep at the Adams County Fair. At the Colorado State Fair, she is a seven-time individual champion for rabbit judging. She is a National Honor Society member and runs track and cross-country in high school. Morgan’s parents are Jonathan and Sarah Barba from Henderson.
Niquole Knapp is a two-sport athlete (basketball and softball) and a member of Future Business Leaders of America and National Honor Society at Rocky Ford High School. She plans to attend Colorado State University to major in Animal Science with hopes of pursuing a career as a bovine and equine breeding specialist. Niquole shares that she wants to know what makes good quality beef wholesome for consumers, beneficial for producers, and not detrimental for either’s pockets in the process. To help reach her goal, she has been certified in Beef Quality Assurance and earned certification from Elanco in the fundamentals of animal science. She is currently pursuing a second certification from Elanco for veterinary medical applications. Niquole is a 5-year member of the Sand & Sage 4-H Club, and 4-year member of Rocky Ford FFA. Her parents are Nicholas Knapp and Kally Corsair from Rocky Ford.
Tristin Niccoli attends Arickaree High School with plans to attend the Oklahoma Panhandle State University to major in Livestock Production. He has competitively shown livestock for 10 years on a local, state, and national level while part of the Arickaree Tumbleweeds 4-H and Arickaree FFA. School activities include National Honor Society, Future Business Leaders of America, Student Council, Science Fair and varsity basketball and football for the past four years. He has held numerous leadership positions, including the office of president with his 4-H club, FFA chapter, and Student Council. Tristin speaks of honesty, integrity, and work ethic and says that his efforts and accomplishments will reflect his pride in, and passion for, agriculture and the livestock industry. His parents are Justin and Linda Niccoli from Joes.
Jayci Mekelburg is the daughter of BJ and Jill Mekelburg from Eckley. She attends Yuma High School with plans to attend West Texas A&M University and study Agricultural Business and Economics with hopes of developing a career as an Agriculture Financial Analyst. Jayci has been involved in 4-H for eight years and FFA for four years. During her 4-H and FFA career, she exhibited market goats and won numerous awards at Yuma County Fair and had the Champion Lightweight Market Goat at the Colorado State Fair. She has participated in the Masters of Beef Advocacy class and Youth Beef Leadership Program. Jayci says her involvement in the agricultural industry taught her about ownership, accountability, and how to properly do business with others. While in school, Jayci has been involved in Future Business Leaders of America, National Honor Society, volleyball and golf.
Kaley Pieper is a senior at Fowler High School. She plans to attend Casper College, majoring in Agriculture Communications and Animal Science, in order to pursue a career as a communication specialist for agriculture, preferably in the swine industry. She envisions using her skills in public speaking to communicate new ideas about agriculture. Kaley is a four-year member of the Fowler FFA chapter and in her second year as chapter President. She also been president, or co-president, of Student Council, Try Random Acts of Kindness Club, and Fellowship of Christian Athletes. She participated in volleyball, basketball, Future Business Leaders of America, and Knowledge Bowl. Kaley’s 10-year involvement in 4-H includes exhibiting swine and participation in livestock judging where she was named to the Colorado 4-H All-State judging team for three years. Her parents are Jody and Amy Pieper from Fowler.
Carl Luther Memorial Vo-Tech Scholarship Recipients
Austin Hays will pursue a career in Ag Mechanics by attending the John Deere Ag Tech Program at Garden City Community College after graduating from Eaton High School. He is a 10-year member of the Wyatt 4-H club, and 4-year member of Eaton FFA. He has participated in Market Lamb and Shooting Sports projects while in 4-H, as well as several community service activities. He attained his love for ag mechanics as a Sophomore when his teacher asked him to join the Ag Mechanics team before the state competition. He was selected the captain of the team his Junior year. Austin says his two favorite classes were Welding and Fabrication and has used his skills to build various projects. Austin’s parents are Michael and Michelle Hays from Eaton.
Reid Grimes wants to become a Diesel Mechanic/Technician specializing in both semi-trucks and agricultural vehicles following his graduation from Windsor High School. He wants to earn an associate degree and then apply for the John Deere mechanics program. Reid is a seven-year member of the Boedecker Bunch 4-H club where he served as the club’s Reporter/Historian and participated in various club community service activities. He is a four-year member of Windsor FFA. Reid worked for Meadow Green Farm in Longmont and M&M Farms in Berthoud and credits those experiences with teaching him the value of hard work. His parents are Chad Grimes and Kimberly Fajt.
Secondary Scholarship Recipients
Kirsten Wood is a Sophomore at Northeastern Junior College in Sterling, majoring in Ag Business. She is the daughter of Donald and Kathy Wood from Weldona. Kirsten graduated from Weldon Valley High School and was active in FFA and 4-H, contributing more than 200 hours of her time to community service activities. She held several leadership positions in 4-H and FFA, including President. Kirsten won numerous Morgan County and Colorado State Fair grand and reserve grand champion awards with her horse, artistic clothing, and dog projects. At NJC, she is active in the collegiate Farm Bureau, Ranch Horse Team, and Aggies Club. After NJC, she plans to continue her education and pursue a bachelor’s degree. Kirsten was previously awarded the Farm Show’s Chuck Urano Memorial Scholarship in 2019, and the Secondary Scholarship in 2020.
Macy Collins is a Junior at the University of Wyoming, transferring after two years at Hutchinson Community College. She is majoring in Animal Science with a concentration in Ag Communications. While in college, Macy has participated in the Block and Bridle Club, Junior Farm Bureau, and Livestock Judging. She also had an internship at the American Royal Livestock Show in Kansas City. Macy is a graduate of Meeker High School where she was active in FFA and participated in numerous speaking and judging contest and held several officer positions. As a 10-year 4-H member, she showed cattle, sheep, goats and dogs. Macy was previously awarded the Farm Show’s Chuck Urano Memorial Scholarship in 2018. Her parents are Lex and Kathy Collins from Meeker.
Need more information or have questions, please contact Brian Allmer, Colorado Farm Show Marketing Chair at 970-656-3489 or email barnmedia@yahoo.com
