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The Wisconsin Custom Operators, Inc. (WCO) recently awarded three scholarships to students pursuing further education. These students were selected based on leadership, civic engagement, academics and volunteer activities related to agriculture. Students also submitted essays detailing their educational and vocational plans for the future. Scholarship winners are required to have ties to the WCO – either as a member, relative of a member or employee of a member. Students received a $1000 scholarship.

“The WCO Board understands that the foundation for the continued success of Wisconsin’s agricultural economy depends on a well-educated workforce. The Board also recognizes the high-cost of additional education, so we offer three annual scholarships to support and develop the next generation of Wisconsin’s agriculture.” says Dr. Kevin Shinners, chair of the WCO Scholarship Committee and Professor of Biological Systems Engineering at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Winners of the 2015 WCO Scholarships include: Kaila Wussow of Cecil is a freshman at the University of Wisconsin – River Falls studying Dairy Science; Alan Osterhaus of Chadwick, Ill. is a freshman at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville majoring in Animal Science with an emphasis in Dairy; Scott Lenius of Poynette is a freshman at the University of Wisconsin - Madison studying engineering.

Applications for the 2016 WCO scholarship are currently being accepted and are due May 1. Interested students should visit www.wiscustomoperators.org/about_us/scholarships.php for more information including eligibility, criteria and application. Again this year, WCO will offer three (3) $1,000 scholarships.