Butler Agriculture students receive national scholarships

Butler Community College students Haley Mouser of Tenstrike, Minnesota, and Cole Paulek of Stonington, Illinois, were selected by the GROWMARK Foundation to receive a $2,000 scholarship. Mouser and Paulek were among five hundred applicants from the United States and Canada, marking them as exceptional candidates among the 55 selected. 

The GROWMARK Foundation is an Ag-based organization and has been involved in many philanthropic projects for decades that emphasize youth and leadership education, advancement and scholarships. “At GROWMARK, we recognize the value of investing in students pursuing careers in agriculture or business-related fields. By doing so, we not only assist students in achieving their academic goals but also cultivate a potential future workforce,” said Mark Orr, CEO of GROWMARK, Inc. 

Butler’s Agriculture department is an esteemed program drawing students from all over the nation. Agri-Pulse Magazine named our program as the Number One junior college Ag program in the country for 2018. With a modern, hands-on facility and curriculum, students are given opportunities to fully engage with Ag and related career fields. Students explore local farms and ranches to experience active and successful agriculture. Butler’s Livestock Judging Team has accumulated an impressive national-level win streak and generated an unparalleled number of Academic All Americans who achieve a noteworthy GPA alongside strong work ethic and competitive judging skills.  

Mouser is a sophomore Agribusiness major and serves as the Fundraising Chair for the National Junior Hereford Board of Directors, a three-year position. She plans to earn a bachelor’s in animal science and a doctorate in ruminant nutrition. 

Her career goals include working as a government lobbyist or head marketing director after internship experience, such as in Washington D.C. Mouser appreciates the GROWMARK Foundation’s investment in her, as it reminds her of her grandpa’s constant support.  

“By winning the scholarship, I know that company wants to be invested in my future [and is] a community who sees potential in me and my future, so they’re just providing the means to make it happen,” Mouser said. 

Paulek, a freshman Agriculture major, is a member of the Livestock Judging Team and plans to study animal nutrition at a university with hopes of becoming a Livestock Feed Developer.  

“This scholarship will make a drastic impact on my academic career. Not only does the monetary value help pay for my schooling, but the connections and publicity that comes with winning a scholarship of this prestige will help put my name out into the agriculture world and hopefully help me in my future,” Paulek said.