Ames, Iowa, USA
February 16, 2026
The Iowa State University (ISU) Seed Science Center (SSC) and Iowa Seed Association (ISA) awarded 16 scholarships to these15 students at the annual Agribusiness Showcase and Conference.
The Iowa State University (ISU) Seed Science Center (SSC) and Iowa Seed Association (ISA) awarded 16 scholarships to 15 students at the annual Agribusiness Showcase and Conference. The awards included 12 ISA scholarships of $1,000 each, the $1,000 Bill Latham Memorial Scholarship, the $1,000 Lisa Shepherd Jenkins Memorial Scholarship, the $500 Manjit Misra Outstanding Senior Scholarship, and the Iowa Crop Improvement Scholarship. This is the largest number of scholarships ever awarded by the ISU Seed Science Center.
Bill Latham was a former president of the Iowa Seed Association, the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA), the Independent Professional Seed Association (IPSA), and was a former President of his family company, Latham Seed. Bill passed away on July 31, 2015.
The ISU Seed Science Center awards the Lisa Shepherd Jenkins Memorial Scholarship to an undergraduate student engaged in seed science and seed technology. This scholarship honors Shepherd Jenkins, who served as Seed Health Testing Coordinator for the Seed Science Center and as Director of the Administrative Unit of the National Seed Health System. Lisa headed one of the most active phytosanitary seed testing programs in the country. She also served as a chair on committees for both ASTA and the American Phytopathological Society. Lisa passed away on July 1, 2015. Professor Susana Goggi, who worked closely with Lisa, says this scholarship is very special to everyone at the Seed Science Center.
“Lisa was an important member of our professional family who was taken away from us at a very early age,” said Susana. “She was a brilliant young woman who knew the importance of science-based testing and providing seed industry service through accurate and timely results. This scholarship rewards students interested in research and service, two of Lisa's lifetime commitments.”
The scholarships are awarded on the basis of four criteria:
- Academic excellence,
- Leadership skills,
- Interpersonal skills
- Demonstrated interest in the seed industry or seed science.
2026 Scholarship Winners
Alaina Gebel – Bill Latham Memorial Scholar is a third-year student at Iowa State University, majoring in Agricultural and Life Sciences Education and Global Resource Systems with a minor in Agronomy. Raised on a small hobby farm in Northeast Iowa, where her family raises sheep and grows corn, hay, and soybeans, Alaina developed a strong foundation in agriculture and a passion for the seed industry at an early age.
A dedicated leader, Alaina served two terms as President of her FFA chapter and was team captain of her Agronomy Career Development Event team, helping lead them to Reserve State Champion honors at the 2023 Iowa FFA State Agronomy Contest. At Iowa State, she continues her leadership as Philanthropy Co-Chair of Sigma Alpha Professional Agricultural Sorority and President of the International Association of Students in Agriculture and Related Sciences (IAAS), where she fosters global engagement in agriculture. She has attended multiple World Food Prize Borlaug Dialogues and works in the CALS Study Abroad Office promoting international opportunities.
Alaina’s global experiences include studying crop production in Ireland, exploring tropical agriculture in Ghana, and examining soil and natural resource management in Costa Rica. As a participant in the Dean’s Global Agriculture and Food Leadership Program, she conducted research at the FAO headquarters in Rome and was later offered an internship to support youth engagement in the global agrifood system. Through her leadership, teaching aspirations, and commitment to agricultural education, Alaina is preparing to inspire and equip the next generation of seed industry professionals.
Sydney Howe – Lisa Shephard Jenkins Memorial Scholar is a sophomore at Iowa State University, majoring in Environmental Science and Biology with a minor in Sustainability. Originally from Ankeny, Iowa, Sydney has a strong passion for plant biology and environmental systems and is committed to building a career that integrates both disciplines. She has maintained a 4.00 GPA and has earned recognition on both the President’s and Dean’s Lists for academic achievement.
Sydney has been actively involved in seed science research for the past two years as an undergraduate research assistant in the Seed Pathology Lab at the Iowa State Seed Science Center. In this role, she has worked on projects involving various seed pathogens, gaining valuable laboratory and diagnostic experience. She further expanded her technical expertise as a Biology Intern with PowerPollen, a biotechnology company focused on pollen preservation and crop pollination technologies. Her internship included laboratory work and field research in Texas rice production systems.
Beyond academics and research, Sydney is highly engaged on campus. She is a member of the Cyclone Marching Band, DubH dance club, Horticulture Club, and Women in Science and Engineering (WiSE), where she serves as a leader for the Women in Life Sciences community group. Through these roles, she continues to develop leadership, collaboration, and communication skills that complement her scientific training and commitment to advancing plant and seed science.
Zach Utley – Iowa Crop Improvement Association Scholar is a senior at Iowa State University with a strong academic focus on plant physiology and seed science. Throughout his undergraduate career, Zachary has combined classroom learning with hands-on leadership, serving for three years as a teaching assistant for Agronomy 1810 and 3160, where he helped students understand plant and seed biology, anatomy, and core agronomic principles. He has earned Dean’s List honors every semester and was named to the President’s List last fall. As a member of the Iowa State Crops Judging Team, he helped secure a first-place national team finish and placed fourth individually.
Following graduation, Zachary will join Vision Crop Consulting as an Associate Agronomist, where he will work directly with corn, soybean, cover crop, and pasture seed sales and service. He plans to expand his technical expertise, including becoming licensed to operate a spray drone for fungicide application and cover crop seeding. Passionate about plant physiology, Zachary aims to educate farmers through field days and one-on-one conversations, helping them maximize seed performance and farm profitability. Deeply committed to service and community, he aspires not only to be a trusted agronomist but also to positively impact the communities he serves.
Keira Simmons – Iowa Seed Association and Manjit Misra Outstanding Senior Scholar
Keira Simmons is an agriculture student with a growing interest in seed science and laboratory-based quality assurance. Her academic experiences have introduced her to the importance of accurate testing in supporting crop reliability and agricultural success.
Keira is drawn to seed testing because it combines scientific analysis with real-world impact. She values precision, organization, and teamwork, and she enjoys environments where careful evaluation supports larger agricultural systems. Her interest in seed purity and germination reflects a desire to contribute to dependable seed production and distribution.
As she continues her education, Keira hopes to gain hands-on experience that will prepare her for a career in seed testing or related fields. She is motivated by opportunities to learn from experienced professionals and to build a strong foundation for future certification and career advancement.
Iowa Seed Association Scholars
Adam Neighbor is an undergraduate student majoring in Agricultural Systems Technology at Iowa State University. Originally from a small family farm in Eastern Iowa, Adam developed an early passion for agriculture through hands-on experience growing crops and tending a large family garden.
Adam has gained practical industry experience through internships with Harvest Max Associates and Frontline Genetics, where he delivered seed, collected seed samples, and scouted fields throughout the growing season. He also participated in Iowa State’s Changemaker Academy, developing an entrepreneurial mindset and innovative problem-solving skills to address challenges in agriculture. Adam plans to pursue a professional career in the seed industry, contributing to agricultural sustainability and global food security.
Audra Mulholland is a sophomore majoring in Agronomy at Iowa State University. After beginning their undergraduate career at Wartburg College as a student-athlete competing in cross country and track, they transferred to Iowa State to pursue their passion for agriculture. Growing up with strong ties to their grandparents’ farm in North-Central Iowa, they felt called to study agronomy and build a career rooted in serving farmers and advancing crop production.
In their first semester at Iowa State, they earned a 4.0 GPA and secured a summer 2026 internship with Beck’s Hybrids as a Practical Farm Research Intern. In this role, they will conduct field research and work directly with farmers and business partners, gaining hands-on experience in the seed industry. Drawn to the blend of science and business in seed, they are excited about the diverse career pathways the industry offers and hope to one day return to North Iowa to make a meaningful impact in their home community.
Austin Bierl is an undergraduate student at Iowa State University with a strong academic and research focus in plant pathology and seed science. Through hands-on laboratory experience, they have contributed to collaborative research projects with leading seed companies, including Bayer and Corteva. Working in Dr. Darren Mueller’s lab, they conducted research related to fungicide resistance, and they currently work in Dr. Steve Whitham’s lab studying the efficiency and heritability of genetic modifications in corn and soybeans. Their coursework includes Principles of Horticulture Science, Soil Science, Introduction to Plant Pathology, and Plant Propagation, with plans to further specialize through Seed Science and Technology and Introduction to Plant Breeding.
Beyond research, they are actively engaged in leadership and service. They have participated in both the Dean’s Leadership Seminar and the President’s Leadership Class and were selected for the Dean’s Global Food and Agriculture Leadership Program in Rome, where they will collaborate with the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization. They also serve as Fundraising Chair for the Tri-Beta Honor Society and hold a leadership role with Food at First in Ames. Their academic excellence, research contributions, and commitment to service reflect a strong dedication to advancing seed science and global agriculture.
Caleb Goldschmeding is a sophomore at Iowa State University, majoring in Agronomy with a secondary major in Seed Science. Originally from Schoolcraft, Michigan, Caleb grew up immersed in the seed industry, influenced by his father’s career in seed corn production and proximity to one of the largest Corteva and Bayer seed corn plants in the country. His early exposure to seed growers and production operations shaped his passion for pursuing a professional career in the seed industry.
Caleb has gained extensive hands-on experience through internships across multiple sectors of seed production. He has worked as an agronomy intern with Walther Farms in the potato seed industry, served as a production intern at Beck’s Hybrids headquarters, scouting and maintaining the 2025 seed corn crop, and assisted with conditioning operations over winter break at Beck’s Howe, Indiana, location. In summer 2026, he will intern with Bayer as a Production Research Intern in Constantine, Michigan, supporting inbred research for future production efforts. On campus, Caleb serves as an Agronomy peer mentor, helping first-year students transition to college and develop professionally. His academic drive, leadership experience, and industry immersion reflect his strong commitment to advancing seed production and quality.
Caleb Helgerson is a freshman at Iowa State University, majoring in Agronomy with a co-major in Agriculture and Rural Policy. Originally from Lansing, Iowa, Caleb grew up on a small family farm raising beef cattle and crops, where he developed an early passion for production agriculture and crop management.
In high school, Caleb was actively involved in FFA, competing in the Agronomy Career Development Event. His team earned Reserve Champion at the state contest in his first year and went on to win the state title the following year, qualifying for the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis. He further strengthened his interest in the seed industry through internships with a local seed sales dealer and an agronomy business, gaining hands-on experience in crop scouting, seed treatments, chemical handling, and drone-assisted fungicide applications.
Caleb also served as a chapter officer in FFA, competed in cross country and track, and helped establish the Waukon SkillsUSA chapter, serving in its first term of leadership. His strong work ethic, leadership experience, and hands-on industry involvement reflect his commitment to building a career in seed science and agronomy.
Cassi Paustian is an undergraduate student in Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering at Iowa State University with a focus on Food and Bioprocesses. Although raised in the city, early involvement in 4-H and hands-on livestock experiences sparked a passion for agriculture and sustainability that now drives their academic and professional goals. They maintain a 3.91 GPA and will begin concurrent MBA coursework this fall, combining technical expertise with business and leadership skills.
Their interest in seed science was solidified during an internship with Madden Ag Services (a Pioneer Seed dealer), where they gained firsthand experience observing crop development and understanding farmer needs. This summer, they will intern with Syngenta Seeds, focusing on improving seed drying, handling, and storage processes. On campus, they serve as the secretary of the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE), are active in Sigma Alpha, and participate in undergraduate research to develop agricultural technology to monitor water runoff and soil nutrients. Their interdisciplinary training, leadership involvement, and commitment to sustainable food production position them to make meaningful contributions to the future of seed science.
Jenna Morris is a junior majoring in Agronomy at Iowa State University, with plans to graduate in May 2027. Raised on a family livestock and grain farm, they developed an early appreciation for the foundational role seed plays in agriculture—from producing feed for cattle to marketing grain and participating in their family’s seed business. These experiences sparked a lasting passion for seed science and its impact on food production and global agriculture.
Academically, they have demonstrated strong performance, earning Dean’s List honors in Fall 2025. Professionally, they gained hands-on experience in seed production, working with seed wheat and soybeans and learning the principles of seed quality and conditioning. They currently serve as a Social Media Intern for the Iowa State University Seed Science Center, where they are in their second year helping communicate seed science research and industry impact to a global audience.
A dedicated leader, they serve as the 2026 Agronomy Club President and are active in Sigma Alpha and the Iowa Corn Growers Association. Through these roles, they continue to grow as a communicator, advocates, and future leaders in the seed industry.
Ninette Gonzalez is an Agronomy student at Iowa State University whose passion for seed science is rooted in a deep commitment to improving human nutrition. Growing up in communities where diets often lacked essential micronutrients despite adequate calories, they witnessed firsthand how undernutrition and “hidden hunger” can affect learning, health, and opportunity. These early experiences shaped a desire to address food security not only through education but also by improving access to nutrient-dense crops.
Originally drawn to agricultural education, they transitioned to agronomy to better understand plant systems and the science behind crop improvement. Their interdisciplinary coursework in chemistry, biology, field agronomy, and policy has strengthened their interest in areas such as biofortification and sustainable crop production. Through academic exploration and real-world problem solving—including participation in the 2023 Food Insecurity Challenge—they have developed a thoughtful, systems-based approach to addressing nutrition disparities.
By combining plant science with a strong understanding of human health and food access, they aim to contribute to seed innovation that supports both agricultural sustainability and global nutritional security.
Olivia Marti is a student at Iowa State University studying Agronomy and Agricultural Business with a strong focus on seed science and applied research. Raised with the understanding that agriculture is a collaborative effort, Olivia developed an early appreciation for how farmers, researchers, and agronomists work together to strengthen food systems. Her passion for science began in high school through independent research projects, eventually leading her to explore crop genetics, hydroponic nutrient systems, super-absorbent polymers in crop production, and algae biofuel. Presenting her work through the Iowa Youth Institute and the World Food Prize further solidified her commitment to advancing global food security.
At Iowa State, Olivia has gained hands-on experience with the ISU Seed Science Center, conducting germination and vigor testing and supporting seed preservation efforts. An international internship with CIMMYT expanded her experience in maize and wheat phenotyping, seed testing protocols, and genetic resource conservation. Most recently, her work with Advanced Agrilytics and experience in grain merchandising have strengthened her understanding of hybrid performance, agronomic data analysis, and the economic impact of seed decisions. Olivia is committed to bridging science, business, and seed technology to support resilient and sustainable agricultural systems.
Rebecca De Vries is an Agricultural Business major at Iowa State University with a strong interest in seed science and the seed industry. Raised on her family’s cattle and row-crop farm, Rebecca grew up actively involved in planting, harvesting, livestock care, and farm management decisions. Watching how seed selection and agronomic practices influence yield and profitability sparked her interest in the intersection of science and business within agriculture.
At Iowa State, Rebecca is building a strong foundation in agricultural markets, farm management, and economics. She is actively involved in the Ag Business Club and her sorority, where she has developed leadership, communication, and teamwork skills. This summer, she will intern with the Iowa Soybean Association as a Research Agronomy Assistant, gaining hands-on experience in field research, data collection, and soybean production systems.
Rebecca’s long-term goal is to pursue a career in seed sales, where she can combine her production background, business training, and relationship-building skills to serve farmers and support informed seed decisions.
Zack Morris is an undergraduate student at Iowa State University, majoring in Biosystems Engineering with a minor in Forestry. Raised in the Iowa countryside and currently living with his grandparents on their hog and row-crop farm, Zack developed an early understanding of crop production and livestock systems. His hands-on agricultural background, including three summers working as a pollinator for Beck’s Hybrids, sparked his interest in crop development and plant breeding.
Through his work with Beck’s, Zack gained practical experience in corn production and developed a growing interest in how seed quality intersects with soil health and environmental sustainability. Motivated by concerns about land degradation and water quality, he is passionate about advancing agricultural systems that support both high-performing seed and long-term environmental stewardship. This spring, he will participate in a research program focused on improving the environmental sustainability of agriculture, aligning directly with his career goals.
Outside the classroom, Zack enjoys gardening fruits, vegetables, and flowers, and is particularly interested in seed saving. He is also a member of the Japan Association and has studied Japanese for several years, reflecting his curiosity about global agriculture and cross-cultural connections. Zack aspires to contribute to a more sustainable agricultural future by integrating seed science, engineering, and environmental responsibility.
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