Anthony Scheer and his father started raising hogs for Niman Ranch when Anthony was 12 years old. Interested in becoming more involved in the agriculture industry, he earned his associates degree in agriculture production and his bachelor’s degree in communications. Upon graduation, Anthony joined the Niman Ranch team as a field agent supporting Niman Ranch farmers throughout Iowa.
Q: How have you been influenced by your upbringing on the farm?
A: I think having a strong work ethic is one of the biggest things I learned living on a farm. I learned responsibility and hard work at a young age while taking care of my own hogs. Learning to make decisions on my own and be independent has helped me a lot as I’ve gotten older. Owning hogs on the farm meant making management decisions and accepting the outcome as my own. I continue to use these skills today.
Q: Why was receiving scholarship assistance important to you?
A: I was awarded the David Serfling Memorial Scholarship in 2014, during my first year of college, and have been blessed with a Next Generation Scholarship each year since then. The scholarships have impacted me in many ways beyond monetary assistance. After my first award, I traveled to three different cities to take part in scholarship fundraising for Niman. I will never forget the people I met and the experiences I had on these trips. Niman Ranch employees, chefs and even customers shared a passion for humanely raised meat and sustainable agriculture. The support I received for being a Niman Ranch hog farmer and following our carefully crafted protocols was outstanding. It was great to meet some of the people who had donated to the scholarship fund and personally thank them.
The Next Generation Scholarship not only gave me the opportunity to further my education in agriculture, but also to network with Niman Ranch employees and associates who have helped me throughout my time in college. It also led to an internship with Niman, where I learned numerous tips I’ve brought back to my home farm and implemented, and now my career.
Q: What would you like to share with Next Generation Foundation supporters?
A: I truly appreciate the donations made by all the contributors to the Next Generation Foundation. It is an investment in my future and it tells me that you have confidence in my success and the future of sustainable agriculture. The scholarship motivates me to continue doing my best.
By donating, you are assisting students, like me, who may not be able to attend college without scholarship support. Farming techniques and technology are constantly changing and being improved upon. College is a great way for students to learn these techniques so we can bring the knowledge back to the farm to apply. Next Generation Scholarships aren’t just helping one individual but the entire Niman Ranch community and farming as a whole.