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it is important that we are able to continue being able to provide for the community. By accepting this scholarship, I am able to continue pursuing a degree that will allow me to be able to give back to an industry that has provided me with so much.
N.C. Cattlemen’s Foundation Awards 2020-2021 Scholarships The N.C. Cattlemen’s Foundation has awarded 24 college scholarships and 3 graduate travel awards to students with backgrounds and interests related to cattle. These students aspire to pursue careers in agriculture or allied fields, particularly related to cattle. Scholarships were awarded to students attending college at Clemson University, Mars Hill University, N.C. State University, Redlands Community College, and the University of Mount Olive. The scholarships are funded by earnings on donations to the N.C. Cattlemen’s Foundation, which has been significantly supported by cattle producers in the state. The Foundation was established in 1982 with a significant
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donation from N.C. State University graduate E. Carroll Joyner. Since that time, numerous others have contributed to the Foundation. The N.C. Cattlemen’s Foundation is also supported by proceeds from sales of North Carolina Cattle Reflections, a history of cattle in North Carolina. The book may be purchased by contacting Kim Burdge at the N.C. Cattlemen’s Association at 919-552-9111 or kim@ nccattle.com or online at www.nccattle. com/resources/merchandise/cattlereflections-order-form. The following personal stories were provided by the 2020-2021 scholarship and travel award winners:
The Carolina Cattle Connection q JANUARY 2022
Kayla Birkholz
Kayla Birkholz Family; the first word that comes to mind when thinking of the agricultural and cattle industries. Having a support system within an industry that has provided me with so much is a reward within itself. I know that no matter what happens or where I may end up, I will always have people cheering me on. In addition to having this support system, I also have been blessed with friendships that will last a lifetime. Growing up on my family’s farm, I have seen firsthand just how much we need the agricultural industry in our everyday lives and how the people within the industry make a difference. In addition to being a second family to me, the industry has provided me with many opportunities which have helped shape me into the person I am today. Through showing livestock, I have been able to share this passion for cattle and the agricultural industry with others who share this same passion. Together we have been able to educate others within the community about the importance of agriculture and the cattle industry in North Carolina. For me, agriculture has always been a huge part of my life which has made me want to pursue it as a career. I have always had a passion for helping people, so eventually being able to do that in an industry that has provided me with so much is a dream come true. There are so many negative stereotypes about the farming community in today’s society, which causes the industry to suffer. Growing up, I have seen the toll that these stereotypes can have on the farmers and their families. By pursuing a degree in agricultural business management, I hope to be able to help farmers make the best decisions possible for their farms, as well as help them be able to advocate for the industry on a much broader spectrum. I think in the ever changing world that we live in,
Lynae Bowman
Lynae Bowman I am a sophomore at Redlands Community College in El Reno, Okla., where I am a member of the livestock judging team. Prior to moving to El Reno, I had spent my entire life in King, just north of Winston-Salem, on our family farm. My freshmen year was the most exciting year of my life. I got to travel to lots of places and compete in over ten livestock judging contests. My livestock judging teammates are my pseudo family since I am over 900 miles away from mine. It was also a hard year because I wasn’t home to see calves being born and to watch them grow. I had to settle for photos and texts from my mom April, dad Neil, and little brother Nate. When I am not in class, studying, or practicing livestock judging, I have a part time job at a ranch north of El Reno working with their show and sale cattle. This helps to fill the void of seeing my own cattle. El Reno is less than 30 minutes from Oklahoma City, which is the home to several major livestock shows, including the new Cattlemens’ Congress show that replaced the National Western Stock Show this year due to the pandemic. It is nice to live close to so many livestock opportunities. I have been fortunate enough to have raised and shown cattle my entire life. We are blessed to live on a family farm at the foot of the Sauratown Mountains. We have a small cow/calf operation of mostly Angus cattle. We utilize artificial insemination and some embryo transfer with our cattle. We also try to practice rotational grazing and plant annuals to help dilute our fescue and increase gains. I plan to graduate from Redlands with an associate’s degree in animal
