Feed Energy Names Two ISU Students Excellence in Ag Scholars

AMES, Iowa -- Feed Energy of Des Moines has named two Iowa State University students as scholarship recipients in its 2012 Excellence in Ag Scholarship Program.

Bethany Olson and Colin Hurd will each receive a $2,500 scholarship from Feed Energy for the 2012-2013 school year. The two were chosen out of 26 applicants for their superior leadership in the classroom, their understanding of the role technology will play in sustainable agriculture and for their overall support to the future of the industry. Olson's and Hurd's essays on the impact of technology on agriculture can be found online.

Olson is majoring in agricultural business and international agriculture with a minor in agronomy. She is a member of the Iowa State University Agricultural Business Club, a member of the Honors Program, a student ambassador for the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, a member of Collegiate FFA and runs track and cross country for the Cyclones. In addition, Olson has served as a counselor for the Iowa Agricultural Youth Institute and worked as a peer mentor for ISU agricultural business freshmen. She also is a co-chair of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences' Ag Career Day. Her past awards include recognition as a Foreman Scholar and the Branstad-Reynolds Undergraduate Scholar. She was raised on a family farm in Jewell, Iowa, and was valedictorian of the South Hamilton High School Class of 2009.

Hurd is majoring in agricultural studies with a minor in general business and has maintained a 4.0 grade point average. He is a member of the Gamma Sigma Delta Agriculture Honor Society, a member of the Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity and is a Cardinal Key Honorary Member. He has served as a coordinator for the annual Iowa State University Blood Drive and was a member of the Veishea planning committee. He has interned for the VanWall Group and Cargill Ag Horizons. Colin was raised in Roland, Iowa.

Feed Energy is an agribusiness firm primarily engaged in further refining vegetable oil as a high-energy, liquid feed ingredient. The company produces and distributes throughout the Midwest scientifically balanced ingredients specific to their customers' needs. Feed Energy's headquarters and original production facility have been in Des Moines for more than 25 years, with additional Iowa production facilities in Sioux City and Pacific Junction.