Aggie Greats – Supporting the future of agriculture
By Denice Rackley
Committed to supporting and encouraging farm kids to pursue ag careers, National Farmers awarded three $1,000 scholarships this year. Taryn Goss, Justyne Frisle, and Carlee Mae Long are our 2022 Farm Kids for College Scholarship recipients.
Carlee Mae Long, Paris, Missouri, is the daughter of Greg and Laura Long. She plans to attend the University of Missouri – Columbia to study agricultural business and plant science. Her goals are to secure a position within the ag industry, work in sales, lending, or research, and continue the family farm.
Long is already a budding entrepreneur, raising Shorthorn heifers and show pigs to sell to other young exhibitors. She also fattens Shorthorn steers for freezer beef. “Niche marketing is a way small producers can survive and earn a living. If producers are willing to think outside the box, niche marketing opportunities are all around us,” Long said.
Long’s FFA advisor, Matthew McCroy, quickly noticed her passion for livestock, hunger to learn, and extremely competitive nature.
“She has always wanted to continue the family traditions on the farm and stays dedicated to improving her skillset to make that a reality,” said McCroy. “Miss Long comes from a great family rich with values, which instills in their children the importance of striving to their best in all of their endeavors.”
Justyne Frisle, Prairie Farm, Wisconsin, is the daughter of Dean and Leslie Frisle. Growing up on a dairy farm, she developed a passion for the dairy industry. Her plans include studying dairy science at the University of Wisconsin with an ag business minor.
“I want to find a career that will help dairy farming be an occupation of choice again,” Frisle said. Disturbed by the feeling of dividedness within the country, Frisle notes agriculture is one of the things every country shares in common as a way to meet the needs of its people.
“I feel one way to promote peace and goodwill is to focus on our commonalities,” Frisle said. “When we understand that we are all far more similar in our hearts and conscience to each other than we are different, we have a better chance of disregarding the superficial difference.”
Life on the farm has taught her valuable lessons that she will carry with her.
“You get out of things what you put into them,” Frisle noted. Observing her parents’ never-ending effort to make the farm successful has instilled in her the true meaning of a work ethic and shown her how education can stack the deck in favor of success.
“When I tell my friends all that is involved, they are surprised there is so much science and math used—genetics for breeding, embryo transfer, growing and harvesting a crop at peak nutritional value and production, feed rations, diagnosing and treating illness, and financial management.”
Understanding life in agriculture is full of joys and struggles, Taryn Goss is ready to explore the opportunities that college brings. Goss is the daughter of Mike and Tammie Goss of Merino, Colorado. Open to discovering her individual path, Gross is sure her future rests in agriculture and plans to attend West Texas A&M.
Her family’s first-generation cattle ranch has taught her that there will be obstacles in her way. However, she is confident that any obstacle can be overcome with dedication and the support of family and friends.
Working with the family freezer beef business, Goss understands the challenges of balancing the expenses incurred in a livestock business with the income received and the importance of customer service.
“Grazing instead of growing irrigated crops has helped reduce expenses,” said Goss. “Our niche marketing enables us to sell our beef higher than the commodity market. The major advantage we have is the valuable friendship we develop with our customers. Listening to our customers keeps us on a path of continual success.”
Passionately telling her family’s story, providing nutritious food, and enjoying a life on the ranch surrounded by animals is what motivates her to pursue an agriculture degree. In a thank you letter to the National Farmers Scholarship Committee, Goss wrote, “I’m extremely grateful to be receiving this scholarship. The scholarship will be beneficial in attaining and pursuing my future goals to further my education in agriculture and ultimately give back to the ag community by being a voice for agriculture.”
The future of agriculture is in good hands with these three National Farmers scholarship recipients.
