Dietz Awarded Genex-Sponsored Merle Starr Scholarship

SHAWANO, Wis. - In support of the continuing education of agricultural-focused youth, Genex Cooperative, Inc. sponsors a scholarship at The Ohio State University. The scholarship, presented annually since 1971, was established in memory of Merle Starr, a former sales manager of the Tiffin, Ohio-based Noba, Inc. which is now part of Genex. Each year, the $1500 scholarship is awarded to an undergraduate student with an interest in dairy science. The 2012 recipient is senior student Ashlee Dietz of Southington, Ohio.

Dietz, who is majoring in animal science, plans to pursue a career as a large animal veterinarian. She has already demonstrated a passion for the dairy industry through her involvement and leadership efforts in school, 4-H and Guernsey breed associations. Dietz is an active member of the Buckeye Dairy Club. She has exhibited dairy cattle at local, state and national shows, and is a member of the Ohio Junior Guernsey Breeders Association and American Guernsey Youth Association. She has also served as the National Guernsey Princess, and participated in numerous cattle judging contests, showmanship competitions, skillathons, quiz bowls, and showmanship and fitting competitions.

Genex is a subsidiary of Cooperative Resources International (CRI), a member-owned holding cooperative. The mission statement summarizes the goal of CRI: "To provide products and services as effectively as possible to maximize the profitability of members and customers worldwide while maintaining a strong cooperative."

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