Minnesota, U.S.A. — The Land O’Lakes Foundation awarded the 2012 John Brandt Memorial Foundation Scholarships to a graduate student studying what information affects consumers’ dairy purchases and a graduate student studying nutrition in ruminant animals.

Molly Paterson of Johnston, IA, who is attending Iowa State University and Sam Fessenden of King Ferry, NY, who is attending the University of Minnesota received the scholarships for the 2012-2013 school year.

The John Brandt Memorial Foundation scholarship program supports graduate students pursuing work in dairy animal, food science or agribusiness at one of four eligible institutions: Iowa State University, South Dakota State University, University of Minnesota and University of Wisconsin-Madison.

The scholarships are awarded in memory of John Brandt, an industry organizer who formed and remained president of Land O’Lakes until his death in 1953. The Land O’Lakes Foundation awards one or two scholarships each year to students who have demonstrated exceptional commitment and aptitude toward their field of study.

Paterson earned her bachelor’s degree in dairy manufacturing with a minor in food safety from South Dakota State University. Her research focuses on consumer perceptions, preferences and behaviors with fluid milk and will examine consumers’ perceptions and preferences regarding how milk is processed and how it tastes. The information, she said, will provide information about what affects consumers’ milk purchases.

“People have so many alternatives to dairy. I want to show consumers the advantages of drinking milks and choosing other dairy products for themselves and their families,” Paterson said. “I want to impact the consumer’s mindset about the dairy industry. I want to help bridge a gap between consumers’ preferences, purchasing habits and the information they know about the options available to them and also provide this critical information to dairy processors and industry professionals.”

Fessenden received his Bachelor’s with Honors Distinction in Research in Animal Science from Cornell University in Ithaca, NY. His research focuses on the use of hops acids—the compounds responsible for providing flavor and aroma to brewed products— in animal feeds.

“My goal is to understand how ruminant animals adapt to the addition of hop acids,” he said. “Ultimately we would like to understand if milk production efficiency can be increased with the use of hop acids. This could provide an alternative to synthetic antibiotics and enhance consumer perception of dairy production.

“I grew up on a dairy farm. After dinner, my father would ask if I wanted to go with him to check on the cows. In the middle of the barns was a tractor seat mounted on one of the gates,” he said. “My father and I would watch the cows and talk. This is where I began to learn about cattle, what they ate and how to care for them.”

Those interested in applying for the 2013-2014 school year can find more information and download an application form at www.landolakesinc.com/company/corporateresponsibility/foundation. Applications for the 2013-2014 school year will be accepted after March 1, 2013.

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Despite the economic recession, it is not all that difficult to get a loan when times are tough. The hard part is being able to pay back those loans, in full, and in a certain time frame. And among those struggling the most are recent college graduates who can’t find jobs. In fact, so many things have to go right for things to be uncomplicated for a college graduate since the recession. Without a paycheck, the student loans quickly become a huge burden.

With the Baby Boomer generation retiring at an older age, it is increasingly difficult for college graduates to find jobs. In fact, according to a report from MSNBC, in 2009 “employers would hire 22% fewer college graduates than in 2008.” Additionally many baby boomers are stalling retirement because the financial recession wiped out many of their 401K retirement plans. Along with the financial crisis comes federal budget cuts, which is reducing the number of jobs available, especially toward those fresh out of college.

Another financial burden for college students is the cost of health insurance. Bowling Green State University School Health Director Dr. Glen Egelman stated that “some universities are requiring that students have health insurance before they are admitted to college, and if they don’t, they must buy into the school’s student health care plan or obtain their own insurance.”

Julio Manceras, a former student at the University of Texas, knows all too well what student loans, federal budget cuts and lack of health insurance can do to a college student. At the age of 19, Julio was hospitalized and diagnosed with a severe health condition known as “Supra-Ventricular Tachycardia, a condition that occurs when one’s heart has irregular electrical pathways.”

After Julio’s tenth stay in the hospital, his medical costs exceeded $500,000.00 because his family did not have health insurance. The hospital wanted to apply the financial aid from UT towards his medical costs, but because his student loans were funded through federal grants, it made it impossible. Like most college students who are legally considered adults, Julio was ineligible for Medicaid.

At www.gobankingrates.com, four steps of advice are given to college-bound students and recent college graduates. When applying for college, always look at schools with lower tuition rates, scholarship opportunities and apply for FASFA as soon as possible. Once in college, think about internships to get some experience in your career field. Set budgets for yourself by thinking down the road rather than spending impulsively.

Additionally, have a back-up plan, if you can’t find a job immediately after graduation, whether it’s to move back home, make a savings account, or get an internship. Lastly, once you find a job, focus on those student loans and your basic expenses, and for the rest of it, save as much as you can.

Julio Manceras is now approaching graduation as a pre-med student at Texas Christian University, and through his xperiences, has decided to become a doctor. Manceras said, “through my hardships of problems and observing my environment, I wanted in return to give the care many people cannot afford.”

Let’s see if others will be given the financial care and opportunity they deserve. Not just in the medical field, but in every field that every college graduate pursues as a career.

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New Jersey Governor Chris Christie renewed his commitment to enacting strong school choice legislation for students in failing school districts during his annual State of the State speech at the State Capitol in Trenton.

The American Federation for Children—the nation’s voice for school choice—praised the governor’s speech as a call to all elected officials to put politics aside and enact legislation that will allow thousands of Garden State students to attend the school of their parents’ choice.

Governor Christie urged legislators to pass the Opportunity Scholarship Act (OSA), which has bipartisan support in the legislature and would create a scholarship tax credit program for children in low-income families who are currently trapped in the state’s lowest performing school districts.

“We applaud Governor Christie for continuing to fight for expanding educational options and his strong commitment to the Opportunity Scholarship Act,” said Betsy DeVos, chairman of the American Federation for Children. “Thousands of families across the state stand with Governor Christie in calling for passage of this important legislation.”

While Christie said he will pursue many education reforms in 2012—including expanding access to charter schools and teacher tenure reform—he made enacting the OSA one of the focuses of his 2012 agenda.

“Opportunity should not be offered to only those in an excellent school district or with parents who have the money to release their children from the prison that is a failing school,” the Governor said during his speech. “Let’s pass the opportunity scholarship act now.” Christie has been a long-time supporter of school choice since taking over as governor two years ago.

In 2010, he was the keynote speaker at the American Federation for Children’s first annual policy summit. ”Democrats including Senators Lesniak and Ruiz, Assemblymen Fuentes and Greenwald, long-time party leaders like George Norcross, and Newark Mayor Cory Booker have voiced their strong support for giving low-income parents this critically important option,” said Kevin P. Chavous, a senior advisor to the American Federation for Children.

“With bipartisan support in the legislature and support from the Governor, it’s time for New Jersey to pass the Opportunity Scholarship Act and give these disadvantaged children immediate hope for a brighter future.”

Image Courtesy of  http://www.flickr.com/photos/megwhitman2010/

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Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell announced on January 9 an expansive education reform agenda for the 2012 legislative session that is poised to significantly expand educational options through creation of a scholarship tax credit program for the state’s low-income families.

The American Federation for Children—the nation’s voice for school choice—praised the governor’s plan, which places a strong emphasis on providing all children with educational opportunities, including  private school choice and robust charter and virtual school options.

McDonnell has long been a strong supporter of expanding educational options for children.  The scholarship tax credit program has also been championed in the legislature by Delegate Jimmie Massie and Senator Mark Obenshain in recent years.

“We’re grateful that Gov. McDonnell has included scholarship tax credits for children in low-income families in his 2012 legislative agenda. The Governor and legislative supporters are putting children first by offering hope to thousands of struggling students throughout the Commonwealth,” said Betsy Devos, chairman of the American Federation for Children. “The governor and legislative leaders have pledged to stand with parents and reformers to ensure that every child in Virginia has access to a quality education.”

Called “an effective choice” by the governor, the scholarship tax credit program would allow businesses to donate money to non-profit organizations that provide scholarships to children from low-income families to attend the school of their parents’ choice.  Last year, legislation for a scholarship tax credit program passed the House 54-45 before failing in the Senate.

In addition to scholarship tax credits, the education reform package focused on creating an “opportunity to learn agenda” through expanded charter and virtual school opportunities. These initiatives include making it easier for charters to form and operate in the state, ensuring local school boards make unused buildings available to charter schools, clarifying the funding formula so that funding “follows the child,” and allowing additional accreditation options for virtual schools.

Governor McDonnell also pledged to focus on raising standards of college and workforce readiness, reducing mandates on local school districts, and enhancing teacher quality.

Virginia residents have expressed strong bipartisan support for school choice, with 64 percent of Democrats, 68 percent of Republicans, and 66 percent of Independents favoring creation of a scholarship tax credit program, according to a 2009 poll conducted by the Friedman Foundation for Educational Choice.

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