Land O’Lakes takes great pride in awarding three exceptional students from the class of 2024 the Land O’Lakes Direct Member Scholarship, which will contribute to their higher education expenses for the fall semester. Every year, this $5,000 scholarship is awarded to three college students, including those pursuing 2-year degrees and technical college programs in addition to 4-year college programs. The scholarships are a testament to our commitment in supporting a diverse range of educational pathways and the bright futures of all our scholars.  
This year’s recipients are looking ahead, with their farm roots nurturing their educational pursuits and career ambitions for the future.  

2024 winners  

Sara Havelka (Daughter of Darrell and Christine Havelka of Havelka Farms): Northeast Wisconsin Technical College

Sara Havelka went to high school in Stephenson, Michigan, and plans to study Farm Production: Dairy Science at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College, where she will learn how to better care for cattle and operate a farm. Sara was president of National Honor Society earning College Board National Rural and Small-Town Recognition and Program Society of Women Engineers - Certificate of Merit honors. Sara also was treasurer for Student Council and chair of Healthy Youth Coalition.  
“Once I graduate with my associates degree, I will be returning to my family's dairy farm. I am very excited to be able to take what I learn through my time at NWTC and apply it to our farm. My goal for our farm is to continue to update and upgrade our entire operation. There is definitely a lot of room for improvement, but I am proud of how far we have come so far. In the future, I would like to grow our operation to raise our own feeder steers. In the end, I want to create the best future that I can for our farm, and hopefully raise my children as the sixth generation of farmers,” Sara says.  
 

Olivia Machado (Daughter of Joe and Rose Machado of Machado Dairy and Farming Inc): California Polytechnic State University: San Luis Obispo   

Olivia Machado went to high school in Tulare, California, and plans to study Agriculture Business and Policy at California Polytechnic State University: San Luis Obispo. Olivia has been an active member of her school’s FFA program and was on the varsity water polo, swim team, basketball team and track team throughout her high school career. Olivia hopes to one day attend law school and ultimately, become an Agriculture lawyer.  
“My involvement in FFA and participation on the Ag Issues team has provided me with the unique opportunity to see the importance of advocacy for farmers. Obtaining a law degree will allow me to work diligently with farmers and ranchers. I will be a voice and advocate for them by representing them during litigation and beyond,” Olivia says.  
 

Breanne Rotz (Daughter of Milton and Stacy Rotz of Cedar Pine Farms LLC): Lebanon Valley College   

Breanne Rotz went to high school in Shippensburg, Pennsylvania, and plans to study Actuarial Science at Lebanon Valley College. Breanne has been involved with National Honors Society, Key Club, Mini-THON, Math Honors Society, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Varsity Volleyball, and Track and Field. Breanne hopes to be a successful woman in STEM.  
“As long as I can remember, I have had a very strong grasp of math. I have proved this by taking advanced math classes and excelling in them. This has led me to choose to continue my education focusing on math, and I am leaning towards a major in either actuarial or data science. My goal for my career is to be a successful woman in STEM,” Breanne says.   
Congratulations to this year's winners! And go here to see our 2023 scholarship recipients.