National Sorghum Producers Foundation And Scholarships Duerksen Keren

About Foundation & Scholarships

Promoting Research, Education and Leadership

The National Grain Sorghum Foundation promotes research and education for sorghum and develops the leadership potential of active university students interested in studying agriculture and, more specifically, the sorghum industry.

National Sorghum Foundation Members

National Sorghum Foundation members have financially contributed to the advancement of education and science within the sorghum community.

There are also members of the Golden Grain Society who have contributed $5,000 or more in current gifts or $10,000 or more in future gifts, through wills, insurance etc.

Agriculture Scholarships for the 2025-2026 School Year

National Sorghum Foundation Scholarships

View the Scholarship Criteria and Previous Winners:

2025-2026 Agriculture Scholarships

Bruce Maunder Memorial Scholarship

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Scholarship Benefits
A selection committee made up of the Sorghum Foundation Board of Directors will rank the applications and award the winner of the Bruce Maunder Memorial Scholarship. The scholarship will consist of the following:

$1,500 award to be applied toward one semester of tuition expenses

Applications
The National Sorghum Foundation will be accepting applications for the 2025-2026 academic year. The deadline to apply is June 1, 2025.

Download Application Form

Questions and Submissions
For questions, please contact Jeff Dahlberg at jeff@sorghumgrowers.com or (559) 305-3555.

2025-2026 Winner – Charles Colvin

Charles Colvin, the recipient of the prestigious Bruce Maunder Memorial Scholarship, is a senior at Penn State University studying plant science with a minor in agronomy. Originally from Malvern, Pennsylvania, Colvin plans to pursue a doctorate in plant sciences with a focus on genetics, physiology and biotechnology. His goal is to contribute to sustainable agriculture through modern breeding techniques and innovative biotechnology. Colvin envisions a future career in either academia or industry, where he can develop solutions that increase crop resilience, improve food security and reduce environmental impact.

2025-2026 Agriculture Scholarships

Darrell Rosenow Memorial Scholarship

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Scholarship Benefits
A selection committee made up of the Sorghum Foundation Board of Directors will rank the applications and award the winner of the Darrell Rosenow Memorial Scholarship package. The scholarship package will consist of $1,500 to be applied toward one semester of tuition expenses.

Applications
The National Sorghum Foundation will be accepting applications for the 2025-2026 academic year. The deadline to apply is June 1, 2025.

Download Application Form

Questions and Submissions
For questions, please contact Jeff Dahlberg at jeff@sorghumgrowers.com or (559) 305-3555.

2025-2026 Winner – Olivia Marti

Olivia Marti, a junior at Iowa State University, received the Darrell Rosenow Memorial Scholarship. From Waukon, Iowa, Marti is studying agronomy and agricultural business and plans to pursue an advanced degree in either crop development or agricultural business after graduation. Her goal is to bridge the gap between research and real-world application, bringing innovations in plant breeding and seed systems to farmers and markets. Marti hopes to work in the seed industry or agricultural research and development, supporting the development of resilient, high-performing crop varieties that meet the demands of a changing global food system.

2025-2026 Agriculture Scholarships

Bill Kubecka Memorial Scholarship

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Scholarship Benefits
A selection committee made up of the Sorghum Foundation Board of Directors will rank the applications and award the winner of the Bill Kubecka Memorial Scholarship package. The scholarship will consist of the following:

$1,500 award to be applied toward one semester of tuition expenses.
A trip to Washington, D.C., with NSP or a virtual meeting. Students will meet their Congressional representatives and watch the legislative process as association leaders discuss and resolve timely agricultural issues for the producers they represent. The trip will coincide with NSP’s legislative fly-in.

Applications
The National Sorghum Foundation will be accepting applications for the 2025-2026 academic year. The deadline to apply is June 1, 2025.

Download Application Form

Questions and Submissions
For questions, please contact contact Jeff Dahlberg at jeff@sorghumgrowers.com or (559) 305-3555.

2025-2026 Winner – Andrew Le

Andrew Le, a senior at Kansas State University, is the recipient of this year’s Bill Kubecka Memorial Scholarship. He is majoring in political science and global food systems leadership and served as the Kansas Sorghum Collegiate Fellow through K-State’s Food and Ag Policy Fellowship program for spring 2025. Originally from Wichita, Kansas, Le plans to pursue a public service fellowship after graduation, with a long-term goal of working in food access and public management. He hopes to serve in a government role that improves lives through effective policy and community-focused programs.

Testimonials

Hear From Past Recipients

“...communicating where you are from and what you do to other people, especially in D.C., is really important in this day and age...”
“I think talking to lawmakers and all of the farmers that I went around Capitol Hill with really exposed me to the idea that communicating where you are from and what you do to other people, especially in D.C., is really important in this day and age where not that many people are still involved on the farm. You may think they know what is going on but they really don't. If you don't tell them, someone else is going to tell them for you."
- Ciera Ware | Bruce Maunder Sorghum Leadership Scholarship | Texas Tech University - Plant and Soil Sciences

“…in school I loved math and science, and I thought about combining those two things. That led me to agronomy, and I’ve loved it ever since…”
“Growing up on a small farm, I always loved asking dad questions. I was the fourth child and my brothers all grew up and left the home, so my parents took me to all the farm meetings, all the different insurance meetings, and I loved asking questions,” Duerksen said. “I loved learning about it. But in school I loved math and science, and I thought about combining those two things. That led me to agronomy, and I’ve loved it ever since."
- Keren Deurksen | Darrell Rosenow Memorial Scholarship | Kansas State University Agronomy Major

“…you kind of have to see if you relate to that in a sense that it is not only a monetary support, it is an investment in your future…”
“No matter what the scholarship is, you need to do your research. There’s usually clues about the goals and the values of the scholarship as well as related to the organization. You kind of have to see if you relate to that in a sense that it is not only a monetary support, it is an investment in your future,” Traskowsky said. “So you want to make sure that you are wanting to learn more about it or doing something that is going to benefit both yourself and the organization that is putting the money out there to help you go to school."
- Mardi Traskowsky | Sorghum Feed & Food Scholarship | Kansas State University - Milling Science & Management Major

Foundation

Sorghum Foundation Leadership

Jeff Dahlberg, Chairman

Prior to his role with the National Sorghum Foundation, Dahlberg worked for more than a decade as the director of the University of California Kearney Agricultural Research and Extension Center in Parlier and has spent time as the research geneticist and sorghum curator at the USDA Agricultural Research Service Tropical Crops and Germplasm Research Center in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico. He also dedicated 20 years to working as the research director for National Sorghum Producers and the United Sorghum Checkoff Program, during which he served for two years as the president of the Whole Grains Council.

Sorghum Foundation Board

Jeff Dahlberg National Sorghum Foundation Chairman Parlier, California

J.B. Stewart Keyes, Oklahoma

Scott Staggenborg Longmont, Colorado

Doug Keesling Chase, Kansas

National Sorghum Producers Staff Larry Lambright

Larry Lambright Lubbock, Texas

Sorghum Foundation Highlight

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Foundation & Scholarships

Promoting Research, Education and Leadership

Questions & Submissions