Kayla Ammann of Highland, Illinois, has been selected by the IAA Foundation Trustees as the recipient of the 2009 Heartland NAMA Steven Hammerschmidt Scholarship in the amount of $1,500.

Kayla grew up on a small grain and hog farm in Highland, Illinois with her parents and younger sister. She is currently attending the University of Illinois with a major in Ag Economics/Agribusiness where she is actively involved in Sigma Alpha Professional Sorority, Alpha Zeta Honors Fraternity, Collegiate 4-H and also working as an intern for the State 4-H Office. After graduation, Kayla would like to work for a farm management company, and eventually move back to the Highland area and become a local 4-H leader.

On June 18, 2009, the IAA Foundation will host a recognition luncheon for the 2009 scholarship recipients. Scholarship recipients, in addition to meeting with the IAA Board of Directors and donors, will attend an information session learning more about careers in agriculture and agri-business. The luncheon will be held at the Illinois Farm Bureau building in Bloomington. Steven Hammerschmidt was a long time agri-marketing professional with GROWMARK, Inc., and a Heartland Chapter leader.