Kevin Boblenz Scholarship

For someone who did not grow up on a family farm, I somehow fell in love with livestock and agriculture at a young age. I decided that it would take over my life, and I would dedicate my future to educating younger generations about agriculture and animal science. Since I did not start with a large agricultural background, I have worked very hard to prove that I am able to succeed. Throughout my twelve years in 4-H, I held office for ten of those years. I was also president of my FFA chapter at the Delaware Area Career Center. I was very lucky to be able to take care of and show livestock for many years. While I was involved in these programs, I was also a member of the Junior Fair Board at the Delaware County Fair. I exhibited dairy heifers, dairy feeders, beef feeders, and market hogs at my local county fair. I had a love for pigs and wanted to take it a step further and show at open jackpot shows as well as my state fair and other national shows. After showing gilts at the Ohio State Fair and NAILE, I decided to send them to a separate farm to be bred. While I am in school I still go back on weekends to work with the show pigs and babies. On the farm, I help farrow, ear notch, vaccinate, and castrate baby pigs. As I am a student at the University of Findlay majoring in Animal Science Industry, I am able to get additional experience in the barns working with a wide variety of animals. I am also an exhibitor on the university's show cattle team where students have the opportunity to show Aberdeen cattle at the North American International Livestock Exposition. During my time in school, I have learned a lot in the industry and about different animal species like sheep, goats, cattle, and equine. I currently work at a standardbred breeding farm where I manage broodmares, foals, and breeding stallions. I have gained wealth in knowledge about the semen collection process and farm management skills. When I earn my degree, I plan to become an Agricultural Educator so that I will teach high school students about the importance of agriculture and animals. From personal experience, I know that teachers can have a large impact on a student's future. The instructor of the Equine Science program at the Delaware Area Career Center had a very big influence on what I wanted to do after high school. She inspired me to want to help future students become confident in their capabilities and futures. My previous Equine Science instructor believed in my ability and potential, and gave me the resources that I needed to succeed in school. She still continues to help me throughout my years in college and more recently helped me apply for the American FFA Degree. I already had the passion and love for livestock, she just expanded my knowledge and pushed me to do greater. I want to be able to do the same for the future students in my community.