NorthStar Cooperative Scholarship Winners Announced
March 14, 2008

Winners of the 2008 NorthStar Cooperative, Inc. Scholarships were recently announced. Lindsey First of Portland, Michigan, Chelsey Muenster of Seymour, Wisconsin and Stacey Choate of Cement City, Michigan are all recipients of $500 scholarships for continuing their education in the field of agriculture.

A student at Michigan State University (MSU), First is completing a four-year degree in Animal Science with a specialization in Business and Dairy Management. Actively involved at MSU, First is a member of the MSU Dairy Club, serving on their promotions committee and she was selected as their Outstanding First Year Member in 2007. First was a member of the 2007 MSU Dairy Judging Team, earning 10th high individual at the World Dairy Expo Dairy Judging Contest. Additionally she has participated in the Mid-West Dairy Challenge the past two years. A graduate of Ionia High School, First is the daughter of Dan and Margie.

A senior at Seymour High School, Muenster is planning to attend the University of Wisconsin – River Falls to major in Agriculture Business. A member of the National Honor Society, Muenster is actively involved in the Seymour FFA Chapter where she currently serves as secretary. A 4-H member for 9 years, Muenster has served as secretary and is in her second term as reporter. In addition to 4-H and FFA activities, Muenster is highly involved in the school’s Band/Flute Choir, as well as Track and Field. Additionally, she is an active youth member of the Freedom Moravian Church. Muenster assists on her family’s dairy farm, Olde Homestead Dairy, which is owned by her parents Ben and Karen.

Choate is a senior at Columbia Central High School and plans to attend MSU in the fall to major in Agriculture Communications. An honor roll student and member of the National Honor Society, Choate is actively involved in her school, church and 4-H. All four years at High School, Choate has served as Class President and has been a member of the Varsity Soccer Team. Additionally, she plays on the Varsity Volleyball Team, is Yearbook Editor and a Student School Board Representative. Active in her church, Choate is a member of the youth group, a Sunday School Aide and a Vacation Bible School Teacher. Choate assists on her family’s farm, Choate’s Belly Acres, which is owned by her parents Hank and Katie.

The NorthStar Cooperative Scholarship program was established in 2005 to encourage post high school study in the field of agriculture for stockowners and their children. Eligible candidates must be a stockowner of the Cooperative or a son or daughter of a stockowner. Applicants are evaluated on the basis of scholastic achievement, current and potential leadership, and interest in pursuing a career in agriculture. NorthStar Cooperative will again award scholarships in 2009 and details are available at northstarcooperative.com/NSC/about_new/scholarship.htm.

NorthStar Cooperative, Inc. is a stock based cooperative, owned by dairy and beef producers in Michigan, Indiana and Wisconsin. Originally formed in 1944 as an artificial insemination cooperative, NorthStar Cooperative, Inc. is now comprised of sales and service for Select Sires, Ag Products and Technologies, DHI Services and Antel BioSystems, an animal disease testing center. Based in Lansing, Michigan, NorthStar provides sales and service to producers, veterinarians and industry members across the United States. For more information, visit www.northstarcooperative.com.

Kelly Bristle Ekovich
Director, Member Relations and Promotions
NorthStar Cooperative & AntelBio
P O Box 23157
Lansing, MI 48909-3157
bristleekovichk@northstarcooperative.com
517.908.0492
800.471.3624
517.351.5610 (fax)
northstarcooperative.com