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The Dairy Calf & Heifer Association (DCHA) awarded $1,500 scholarships to Courtney Glenna, a University of Wisconsin-River Falls undergraduate student, and Gillian Plaugher, a master’s degree candidate at Penn State University. The DCHA scholarship program recognizes outstanding students pursuing a degree in agriculture, with a particular interest in calf health and future productivity.
Glenna grew up on a 120-cow dairy near Amery, Wis., and participated in numerous youth activities, including Amery FFA, Polk County 4-H and Wisconsin and National Junior Holstein Associations. In 2023, she earned a Gold Ranking in the National FFA Dairy Production – Placement Proficiency Award. Her FFA Dairy Judging Team placed third in the Royal Highlands Show in Scotland. In 2022, she was the Wisconsin FFA Extemporaneous Speaking Contest runner-up. For 4-H, Glenna earned the James Crowley Dairy Leadership Award. Last year, she was named a National Holstein Distinguished Junior Member. At UW-River Falls, Glenna is the Dairy Club parliamentarian and participates in Dairy Challenge and Dairy Judging. She plans to pursue a career in dairy cattle genetics and reproduction.
Plaugher earned a bachelor’s degree in animal and dairy sciences from Mississippi State University. As a master’s degree student, her research focuses on improving dairy calf growth, health and welfare through strategic feeding and management practices. For 1.5 years, Plaugher served as the calf manager at Drumgoon Dairy in Lake Norden, S.D. Her responsibilities included maintaining the cleanliness of equipment, housing and machinery used in the calf yard. Plaugher also led the employee team that managed calf nutrition, health and care. Additionally, she was a member of Drumgoon Dairy’s maternity and hospital team for six months. As a DCHA member, Plaugher served on the Online Learning Library and 2024 conference planning committees.
The Dairy Calf & Heifer Association (www.calfandheifer.org) was founded in 1996 based on the mission to help dairy producers, calf managers and those professionally focused on the growth and management of dairy calves and heifers. With a national membership of producers, allied industries and research leaders, DCHA seeks to provide the industry’s standards for profitability, performance and leadership, serving as a catalyst to help members improve the vitality and viability of their individual efforts and that of their business.
