SDSU Graduate Student Receives Farmers Union Scholarship

By Lura Roti

A pheasant hunting trip with his dad introduced Clay Schoen to South Dakota and its agricultural landscape.

"The incredible scale of the agricultural industry in South Dakota brings about a culture that is unlike anywhere else in the world. Immediately I knew that this is where I wanted to move to start a career and a family," explained Schoen, who grew up in rural Ohio raising a flock of purebred Southdown sheep.

When South Dakota captured Schoen's attention, he was a college freshman, pursuing an Animal Science degree at a small university in Ohio. So, it is no surprise that South Dakota State University topped his list when it came time to pursue a graduate degree with the ultimate goal of becoming a large animal veterinarian.

"My career goal is to attend vet school so that I can practice food animal medicine in rural South Dakota," Schoen said. "If you don't grow up on a farm or ranch, it is difficult to buy a place and make a living as a farmer or rancher. As a veterinarian, I can be a part of rural South Dakota's agriculture by helping farmers and ranchers."

While pursuing a masters in Animal Science Schoen coaches the SDSU Wool Judging Team and conducts research that focuses on evaluating new techniques to improve preweaning lamb survivability and performance.

"Working in this area of research has given me a better understanding of how to design research projects that are applicable to producers," he said. "It also makes me think about how in my future career I can be part of ensuring there is a link between research and making the information gained through research something producers can use to make more money on their operations."

Schoen's desire to provide agriculture producers with research-based information, inspired him to start his own LLC. "My goal is to do sheep-based research and apply it to new technologies to help sheep producers become more efficient."

Currently, Schoen is waiting to hear if he is accepted to veterinary school. Whether or not vet school is in his future, he said working to support South Dakota agriculture producers remains his focus.

"Overall, my goal is to help South Dakota farmers. If I am not able to do this as a veterinarian, I know there will be other opportunities," he said.

Schoen said he appreciates South Dakota Farmers Union's support. He is the recipient of South Dakota Farmers Union $2,500 Graduate Scholarship. As South Dakota's largest agriculture organization, the graduate scholarship is designed to support students focused on advancing the future of agriculture in South Dakota explained Karla Hofhenke, executive director of South Dakota Farmers Union.

"A successful ag industry depends on individuals with innovative ideas and the ability to help increase efficiencies through research and technology," Hofhenke said. "This scholarship is among the many ways our organization works to support family farmers and ranchers."

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