The Ag Relations Committee of the Brookings Area Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce the six recipients of the 2025 Ag Relations Scholarships. This year, the committee awarded $1,000 scholarships to four graduating high school seniors and two post-secondary students pursuing agricultural careers. Each of these outstanding students has shown an impressive dedication to both academics and the future of agriculture.

“Being part of the Chambers Ag committee has been a rewarding experience,” said Tim Paulson, 2025 Ag Relations Committee Chair. “To be able to read about the involvement and excitement these scholar recipients have wanting to pursue a career in Agriculture, especially in this area. Brookings County and the surrounding area have many career opportunities, but Agriculture is still the #1 industry in our area and the State."

Braxton Jongeling, Estelline High School graduate, will attend Lake Area Technical College to study Agriculture Diesel Technology: Tractor & Truck. Easton Overbo, graduate of Sioux Valley High School, will attend South Dakota State University majoring in Agricultural Business. Caden Phelps, Arlington High School graduate, plans to study Agriculture Production at Lake Area Technical College. Garet Wicks, from Oldham-Ramona-Rutland High School, will attend South Dakota State University majoring in Animal Science, with minors in Nutrition and Agricultural Business.

Starting off our post-secondary recipients, Elizabeth Will, from Estelline, SD, is currently pursuing a degree in Agricultural Education at South Dakota State University. Ethan James, a Corning, IA native, is also attending South Dakota State University and majoring in Agricultural Business.

The Chamber’s Ag Relations Committee is committed to strengthening the regions agricultural roots and supporting those who will shape its future! These scholarships are just one way the committee invests in our young professionals and future leaders.

For more information about the Ag Relations Committee and the scholarships they offer, please visit brookingschamber.org or contact Ainsley Bennett at ainsley@brookingschamber.org.