Minnesota Corn announces 2025 scholarship recipients
Minnesota Corn is excited to announce its 2025 scholarship recipients. Marie Carr of Blue Earth, Natalie Clemenson of Zumbrota, Hannah Highum of Peterson, and Keeley Runge of St. James will each receive a $5,000 college scholarship this year.
Since 2019, Minnesota Corn has awarded college scholarships to young adult members as part of its mission to strengthen rural communities and support future generations of farmers. Additionally, some of Minnesota’s 52 county corn organizations offer college scholarships.
Learn more about scholarship opportunities offered by Minnesota’s corn farmers at mncorn.org/scholarships.
Below is more information on the 2025 Minnesota Corn scholarship recipients.
Marie Carr
Carr grew up on her family’s corn, soybean, and beef farm and is a senior at Blue Earth Area High School. In the fall, she will enroll at Mitchell Technical College in Mitchell, South Dakota, where she plans to pursue a degree in agricultural business and agronomy. Her goal after graduating is to work as an agronomist in her hometown while helping on the family farm.
In addition to working on her family farm, Carr has worked for a local floral shop and participated in 4-H and FFA, among other activities.
Natalie Clemenson
Clemenson grew up on her family’s dairy, crop, and beef farm and wrote in her application that she developed a passion for agriculture at a young age. She’s currently a sophomore at University of Wisconsin-River Falls, where she is majoring dairy science and minoring in agriculture business and Spanish.
Clemenson has been active in 4-H and FFA and has been serving as the Minnesota FFA State Reporter in 2024-25. During college, she has been involved in the UWRF Dairy Club and Rooted in Faith, and this summer, she will work as an agronomy intern with Ag Partners Coop in Goodhue. After graduating, Clemenson hopes to pursue a career as a dairy nutritionist.
Hannah Highum
Highum is a sophomore at South Dakota State University (SDSU), where she is majoring in animal science. She plans on working at a veterinary clinic over the summer, and after graduating, she plans to attend veterinary school. During college, she has been involved in an variety of clubs such as Collegiate Farm Bureau, the Collegiate Cattlemen’s Club, and the pre-vet club.
Keeley Runge
Runge is a senior at St. James Middle/Senior High School, where she has been a four-sport athlete and captain, served as president of the student council, been a section leader in concert choir and band, and participated in the fall/spring musical and one-act play. She has also been highly involved in FFA, serving as both the St. James and Region VI president this year.
This fall, she will enroll at SDSU, where she plans to study agricultural education and agricultural leadership. After graduating, she hopes to teach high school agricultural education and serve as an FFA chapter advisor in southern Minnesota.
