By Malerie Strahm, Communications Intern
“I plan to go to K-State and get an agronomy degree to be a crop consultant,” said Keller. “As I went through middle school and high school, I started looking into the different options that agriculture could give me for a career and I found one that I like as of right now.”Knowing that a career in agriculture will help feed the world and make an impact on the environment is what motivates Brandon Keller of Alberta, Kansas. His apparent passion for the industry, involvement in community service, and academic excellence are what set Keller up as the best recipient for the 2016 Herb Clutter Memorial Scholarship. The scholarship will award Keller $500 per year toward his college tuition.
Keller enjoyed growing up on his family’s farm, working with his dad and brother and notes that valuable lessons are reflected in his daily life.
“Growing up in the agriculture world, I learned that with hard work and dedication to your job or anything you’re doing, do it to the best of your ability,” said Keller. “Maybe you’re not going to benefit directly from whatever your job is, but someone else is and a lot of people will appreciate it.”
Keller put that hard work and dedication to good use in school where he excelled academically and was involved in several clubs including NHS, STUCO, SADD, Scholars Bowl and KAY club. He also participated in varsity football, basketball and track. Throughout school, Keller has always enjoyed science and wants to mix that with his farming lifestyle with his agronomy degree. Keller’s enthusiasm for agriculture and serving the world make him an ideal representative of the Herb Clutter Memorial Scholarship.
“Brandon’s passions for his community and agriculture have made him an excellent recipient of the scholarship,” said Jordan Hildebrand, program assistant at Kansas Wheat. “We’re proud to encourage high school students like Brandon to pursue a career in the wheat industry.”
The Herb Clutter Memorial Scholarship was established through a fund in memory of Herbert W. Clutter, a farmer from Holcomb and the first president of the National Association of Wheat Growers. The history of the Kansas Association of Wheat Growers and the Kansas Wheat Commission is enriched with the memory and lasting leadership of Clutter and his family.
“Mr. Clutter’s enthusiasm and leadership for the wheat industry serve as an excellent example for young adults as they take this next step in their lives,” said Hildebrand. “We are honored to offer a scholarship in remembrance of Herb Clutter, and to share his passion for the industry and his community with future generations of wheat leaders.”
Applicants for the annual Herb Clutter Memorial Scholarship must be incoming freshman from Kansas who will be full-time students at any two or four-year, Kansas college or university. They should plan to pursue a career in the field of agriculture.
Next year’s 2017 Herb Clutter Memorial Scholarship application will be available this fall and will be due Tuesday, February 28, 2017. Applications and additional information about the scholarship can be found on the Kansas Wheat website at kansaswheat.org.
