Minnesota Corn announces 2026 scholarship recipients
Today, Minnesota Corn is proud to announce the recipients of its 2026 scholarships. Cameron Addington, Wyatt Glessing, Carson Lee, Luke McCrea, Eden Messerli, and Sven Storbakken will each receive $5,000 to further their pursuit of a degree in agriculture.
Since 2019, Minnesota Corn has provided young-adult MCGA members with scholarships as part of its mission to build opportunities for the next generation of agricultural leaders. To date, the organization has awarded $150,000 in scholarships to 30 students across the state.
Typically, Minnesota Corn offers four scholarships to young adult members each year. But this year, the organization received a deep pool of tremendous applications, leading farmer-leaders to offer two additional awards.
In addition to the Minnesota Corn scholarship program, some of the state’s 52 county corn organizations also offer scholarships. The National Corn Growers Association also offers scholarships to ag students. More information about all these opportunities can be found at mncorn.org/scholarships.
Cameron Addington
A freshman at Iowa State University, Addington didn’t grow up on a farm but became interested in a career in agriculture as an active member of 4-H and FFA. Additionally, his experience working for four years as a vineyard laborer and one summer on a diversified corn, soybean, and cow/calf operation solidified his plans to pursue a career in agriculture.
Addington plans to major in agronomy and pursue a seed sales representative position with Pioneer Hi-Bred International after graduating. He’s a member of the Agronomy and Block & Bridle clubs at Iowa State and is also serving as Minnesota State FFA president this year.
Wyatt Glessing
Glessing, a sophomore at South Dakota State, grew up on his family’s dairy and crop farm in Waverly. He’s majoring in precision agriculture with minors in dairy industry, agronomy, and political science, and his post-graduation goal is to operate the family farm alongside his dad and brothers.
At SDSU, Glessing has been active in the Dairy Club, the Agronomy and Precision Ag Club, Collegiate Farm Bureau, and Little International. He also works as an agricultural laborer for a farm near the SDSU campus.
Carson Lee
Lee is a senior at Gibbon-FairfaxWinthrop High School who will enroll at SDSU next fall, with plans to major in agricultural business. His goal is to eventually take over his family’s farm, where he has already worked for several years.
At GFW, Lee has served as a leader in both his local 4-H and FFA chapters. He has also volunteered with the Renville County Corn & Soybean Growers Association and participated in activities such as National Honors Society, trapshooting, and golf team.
Luke McCrea
A senior at Bethlehem Academy prep school in Faribault, McCrea plans to enroll next fall at Iowa State and pursue a degree in agricultural business. He hopes to one day take over his family farming operation while also working in agricultural communications to help bridge gaps between farmers and consumers.
While in high school, McCrea has served as a FFA region president, an FFA in the USA reporter, a 4-H state agricultural ambassador, and a Youth In Government Speaker of the House. He is also a National Merit Commended Scholar.
Eden Messerli
Messerli is a freshman at SDSU who’s studying agricultural business. After graduating, Messerli plans to pursue a career managing an agricultural financial services business. While in high school, Messerli was a leader in her 4-H and FFA chapters and president of her student council. At SDSU, she has been a member of the Collegiate FFA, the Agricultural Education Club, the Economic Club, Agriculture Communicators of Tomorrow, and more.
Sven Storbakken
Storbakken is a senior at Princeton High School, where he has served as 4-H and FFA chapter president and been a member of the symphonic band and the National Honors Society. Next fall, he will enroll at the North Dakota State College of Science to pursue a degree in agricultural diesel mechanics. His career goal is to become a CASE IH diesel technician.
In addition to his extracurricular involvement, Storbakken has gained hands-on experience by taking apart and repairing engines at a local service shop and working on his grandparent’s farm. He has lined up an internship with Arnold’s Inc. during college.
