Most people see math as something that happens at a desk, with pencils and worksheets. For me, math goes on in my everyday life, standing in a feed alley with the sound of the mooing from cattle. The concept of math has never just been numbers on a page, it’s the difference between a healthy herd and one that struggles. Growing up on a farm, especially around dairy cattle, I’ve seen firsthand how math is implemented into every part of the job. When feeding cows, every pound of hay, silage, and grain has to be measured and balanced. Their diet is carefully calculated. A small change in a ration can affect milk production and your herds health which ultimately affects the farms business. That’s where my appreciation for math began. I started to see it as a tool rather than a subject. Once I started to understand how important math is in agriculture, I realized that math isn't as bad as others perceive it to be. As I’ve become more involved in agriculture, my interest in math has grown alongside my goal of pursuing a career in dairy nutrition. Dairy nutritionists rely heavily on math to formulate rations that meet the exact needs of the herd. Balancing energy, protein, vitamins, and minerals requires precision. Too much or too little of one component can throw everything off. What I love most about math is that it allows me to solve problems that matter. It gives me a way to improve the health and productivity of animals while also supporting farmers and their livelihoods. I've always been told that the most important thing in agriculture is efficiency. Math is the key to an efficient crop yield, diet for your herd, and managing finances. In the future, I hope to use math every day as a dairy nutritionist, helping farms create balanced, effective feeding programs and this scholarship would help me do just that.

Throughout my life, agriculture has been more than just something I grew up around, it has shaped my identity, my work ethic, and my goals for the future! As a fourth-generation farm kid, I spent my childhood learning the rhythm of early mornings, long days, and the responsibility that comes with caring for livestock. But it wasn’t until I began working more closely with dairy cattle that I discovered a true passion for animal health and the science behind dairy nutrition. The more time I spent feeding calves, studying cattle behavior, and volunteering at a local dairy, the more clearly I saw what I wanted to do with my future. These experiences guided me toward my goal of becoming a dairy nutritionist, a career that will allow me to support producers while improving the health and performance of the animals I’ve grown up caring for. To get a head start on my education, I enrolled in dual-credit classes and will graduate high school with my AA degree. This gives me the opportunity to begin my animal science studies immediately after graduation and move more quickly toward advanced coursework in nutrition and dairy management. My plan is to earn a bachelor’s degree in animal science and later pursue a master’s degree in dairy nutrition so I can develop the knowledge needed to make a meaningful impact in the industry. Because agriculture is a male-dominated field, I have faced moments where people doubted my abilities based on my gender alone. Instead of discouraging me, this has pushed me to work harder and prove myself through dedication, leadership, and hands-on experience. As an FFA president, a state-level public speaking competitor, and a volunteer in youth service programs, I’ve learned how to lead by example and uplift others which are skills I hope to carry into my professional career. My ultimate goal is to support dairy producers by helping them build healthier, more sustainable herds while also serving as a role model for young women who want to pursue careers in agriculture. I want to give back to the industry that raised me and help shape a stronger future for the farms and families who depend on it!