ESTHERVILLE — Hunter Riedesel was awarded a $1,000 scholarship for Iowa Lakes Community College at the Agribusiness Career Day hosted by the Agribusiness Association of Iowa Foundation on Feb. 12.

Out of more than 250 Iowa community college agriculture or agribusiness students attending ABC day, only 15 of the students received scholarships.

Hunter Riedesel, a freshman at Iowa Lakes Community College, grew up on his family farm in Greene County, helping his dad with 1,800 acres of row crop corn and soybeans and cattle production.

“Receiving this scholarship came as a complete surprise to me. It feels great that I have received an agricultural scholarship that is going to help me succeed in the agriculture industry,” said Riedesel. “I chose agribusiness technology as my major because I want to have a job involved in agriculture where I can help the farmers be more successful from my area and possibly farm on my own someday.”

Scholarships from the AAI Foundation are sponsored by industry members. Since 2014, the AAI has raised $87,000 from 25 different companies to provide scholarships to Iowa community college agriculture students. The Iowa Certified Crop Advisors Program sponsored the $1,000 award Riedesel received.