Southeastern Livestock Cooperative Scholarship

The scholarships are established to a) foster an awareness of the need for dedicated and energetic undergraduate students participating in the field of animal science and livestock management; b) support the research and academic excellence currently in place at the South Dakota State University Animal and Range Sciences Department; and c) provide the opportunity for certain qualified students with the specific desire to continue in the animal science field who may have a need for financial assistance.  An endowed contribution by the Southeastern Livestock Cooperative provides the funds to support the scholarships.  The Livestock Cooperative began in 1980 under agricultural specialist Marty Eitreim guaranteeing loans for livestock purchases by low-income farmers.  The Cooperative served the six-county area of Minnehaha, McCook, Turner, Union, Clay and Lincoln.  The Cooperative was designed to help preserve the small family farming operation during the difficult economic years of the early and mid-1980’s according to board member Jim Burma, Sioux Falls.  When the Cooperative ceased operations, its remaining funds were contributed to the SDSU Foundation to establish a perpetual scholarship in agriculture.