The Ag & Natural Resources (AGNR) Committee of Elevate Rapid City has provided college scholarships to youth interested in pursuing a career in agriculture or natural resources for more than 40 years. Additional contributions were made by: Jenner Equipment, Gunderson, Palmer, Nelson, Ashmore, LLP, Black Hills Federal Credit Union, and Security First Bank.

To be eligible to apply, students must live within a 150-mile radius of Rapid City and be pursuing a career in agriculture and natural resources at a South Dakota university, technical school, or other recognized program. This year’s recipients of the $2000 scholarships were: Matea Gordon of Whitewood and Megan Sanders of Oral.

Matea Gordon plans to attend SDSU and major in ag-business and economics. “We need people with agricultural roots to work within the industry, to communicate and teach others about agriculture, and to be willing to address the challenges that lie ahead for agriculture,” said Gordon in her scholarship essay.

Megan Sanders also plans to attend SDSU in the fall and major in Agriculture Education. “Agriculture is where my story began and will continue to grow,” said Sanders. “I want more kids to be able to have the experience of FFA, which is why I have chosen to become an Agriculture teacher and FFA Advisor.”

Elevate Rapid City also hosted the Beef Bust for youth participating in the Black Hills Stock Show & Rodeo Youth Day on Saturday, February 5^th at the Monument. Thank you to the following Beef Bust Sponsors: Coca-Cola, Codi and Brian Mills, Security First Bank, Jenner Equipment, Dave and Michelle Semerad, Ketel Thorstenson, Kirk Cordes, and the Western Legacy Foundation.