This year, seventeen local students were awarded scholarships from the Warren-Henderson Farm Bureau Foundation to help further their education in agriculture. Among these recipients is Dexter Ricketts, who is going into his sophomore year at Black Hawk East in Galva where he is pursuing his associate’s degree.
He says once he has earned his associate’s degree, he plans to transfer to Western Illinois University to study animal science.
“I’m really wanting to specialize in something to do with feed and feeding livestock. Whether it is a nutritionist, or running a feed mill, or whatever- something along those lines,” said Ricketts.
Over the years, Ricketts was involved in 4-H and FFA, showing cattle, holding leadership positions, and competing on the judging team. He says these experiences have motivated him to pursue a career in livestock.
This summer, Ricketts is expanding on his passion for show cattle by working for Line Show Cattle.
“I’m helping them in the barn with some show steer and all around the farm just learning all about that side of the industry,” said Ricketts. “I’ve been helping them attend to those show cattle.”
Ricketts hopes to one day raise his own herd of show cattle.
