NorthStar Cooperative Scholarship Winners Named
March 16, 2007

Winners of the 2007 NorthStar Cooperative, Inc. Scholarship were recently announced. Adam Geiger, Brillion, Wisconsin, Craig Blough, Goshen, Indiana and Ashley Messing, Bad Axe, Michigan are all recipients of $500 scholarships for continuing their education in the field of agriculture.

“The number of applicants we receive each year for this scholarship program continues to grow,” mentioned Gary Smith, NorthStar Cooperative, general manager, “and we are pleased with the caliber of candidates. We see the scholarship program as one more way NorthStar Cooperative can offer a benefit to our stockowners.”

A senior at Brillion High School, Geiger is planning to attend the University of Wisconsin – Madison to major in Dairy Science and Agricultural Education. Geiger is actively involved in FFA and was a member of the Wisconsin FFA Dairy Judging Team which competed and finished second at the national contest last year. Additionally, Geiger is an honor roll student that is active in sports and currently serves as class president. Geiger’s parents are Simon and Rhonda.

Blough is completing his junior year at Purdue University where he is majoring in Agricultural and Biological Engineering. At Purdue Blough is involved with the Purdue Dairy Club, Purdue Engineering Student Council and Kappa Sigma Fraternity. A 2004 graduate of Northridge High School, Blough ranked first in his class of 242 students with a grade point average of 4.0. Blough’s parents are David and Michelle.

A sophomore at Michigan State University (MSU), Messing is completing a two-year degree in Dairy Management and is planning to transfer to the four-year Animal Science program. Actively involved at MSU, Messing has leadership responsibilities with the MSU Dairy Club, MSU Block and Bridle Club and was a member of the 2006 MSU Ag-Tech Dairy Judging Team. Messing is the daughter of Gregory and Shelly.

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. In addition to the application, candidates were asked to submit a 400 – 600 word essay on “How cooperatives in the agriculture industry will change in the next 10 years to better serve their owners and patron.”

NorthStar Cooperative will again offer scholarships in 2008. Scholarship applications can be obtained on-line at www.northstarcooperative.com/pdf/Scholarship Application 2008.pdf.

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.



For More Information Contact:
Kelly Bristle Ekovich, Director Member Relations and Promotions
P O Box 23157 , Lansing, Michigan 48909
Phone: 517.908.0492 Email: bristleekovichk@northstarcooperative.com