Samson, Branderhorst win scholarships at State Fair

DES MOINES —The Iowa Foundation for Agricultural Advancement (IFAA) presented $141,850 in scholarships and awards to youth who participated in 4-H and FFA beef, swine, sheep and poultry projects Saturday prior to the Sale of Champions at the 2009 Iowa State Fair.

Local winners of the Iowa State Fair Scholarships, 4-H and FFA Awards and Performance and Carcass Awards include:

• Marcus Samson of Prairie City won the $2,000 Parkin Family Scholarship (Jerry and Randall Parkin).

Samson is the son of Mark and Sue Samson of Prairie City. He has owned his own flock of sheep since he was 8 years old. He has built his own sheep barn and most of the equipment. In June 2008, a tornado destroyed most of his building and equipment, which he is rebuilding with a FSA Youth loan. Samson also shears sheep and has participated in shearing demonstrations at the Living History Farms for the past four years and the Iowa State fair for the past five years. He has shown sheep at the Jasper County Fair, Iowa State Fair and American Royal with great success. An active member of his FFA Chapter and 4-H Club, Samson has participated in numerous livestock judging contests as well as livestock judging camps at ISA and Kansas State. He will enroll at DMACC this fall with an agronomy major and welding minor. He states, “No matter what career I have after college I know raising sheep will always be part of my life.”

• Chelsey Branderhorst of Prairie City won the $1,000 Maschhoffs Inc., Pork Industry Scholarship.

Branderhorst is the daughter of Bryan and Deb Branderhorst of Prairie City. In 4-H and FFA, Branderhorst has been the president of her 4-H club, FFA chapter and president of the Jasper County 4-H Council. She has participated in state FFA Chorus and FFA Idol as well as receiving CDE’s in Job Interview and Meats Judging. She has served as Jasper County Pork Princess, sang the National Anthem at the Iowa State Fair Parade and presented a 45-minute vocal concert at the Iowa State Fair for the past three years. For the past nine years, Branderhorst has participated in swine and beef projects receiving several championships. Active in livestock and meats judging she was the High Individual in the 2008 State FFA Meats Judging Contest.