Application Open January 1, 2026 – February 6, 2026

Background:
The Alan Koepke Memorial Scholarship was established to honor Alan Koepke’s enduring legacy and his commitment to advancing the agricultural industry. Alan believed deeply in the power of lifelong learning and dedicated his life to mentoring young farmers, sharing knowledge gained through years of experience, and inspiring others to pursue their own educational journeys. His leadership and vision helped shape the future of dairy farming, emphasizing the importance of preparing the next generation to build upon past successes. As a founding member of Professional Dairy Producers of Wisconsin (now Professional Dairy Producers®) in 1992, Alan played a pivotal role in creating opportunities for education and collaboration within the industry. His advocacy later contributed to the formation of Dairy’s Foundation®, ensuring resources would be available to support programs that strengthen agriculture. This scholarship reflects Alan’s values by supporting students who are passionate about agriculture, demonstrate leadership and community involvement, and are committed to careers in this vital field.

Eligibility:
Open to students pursuing undergraduate education at:

1. UW Farm and Industry Short Course.
2. Accredited technical schools or colleges within Wisconsin.
3. Wisconsin universities with fields of study that may include agriculture business, animal science, crop/soil science, or related areas.
   1. Priority consideration will be given to applicants who have committed to an agricultural major and have a clear interest in production agriculture.

Winning applicants will be recognized at the 2026 Professional Dairy Producers Business Conference March 4-5 in Madison, Wisconsin.

Application Instructions:
Please complete the information below and answer the essay questions. Please note that the online application does not automatically save your responses. To avoid losing your work, we recommend preparing your essay answers in a separate document before submitting them.

As part of the application, you will be required to upload two letters of recommendation.

Please Note:
All fields are required unless marked “Optional.”