Midcap receives CSA scholarship
Bradie Midcap, a freshman at Butler Community College, was selected as the 2022 Colorado Simmental Association Youth Education Grant winner, CSA President Willie Altenburg announced. The scholarship was presented at the CSA annual meeting Nov. 6 in Denver.
Currently, Midcap is on the livestock judging team in El Dorado, Kan., where she also is working toward her associate degree. She then plans to pursue a bachelor’s in animal science at a four-year university. “I want to go into the genetics field and focus on reproduction and IVF in cows,” she said.
She grew up in Wray, Colo., showing beef and swine. In fact, she earned the Multi-breed Supreme breeding beef female at the 2022 Yuma County Fair with KBC Jubilee J101, a Fort Knox daughter.
Midcap has been successful in 4-H livestock judging, including being high individual at the 2020 and the 2022 State 4-H contests, leading her team to be state champions. She has served as a judging coach tutor, too. She was active in high school sports and leadership roles in Future Business Leaders of America, FFA and 4-H. She was a National Honors Society member, plus her lengthy and impressive resume show church and community work, Altenburg noted.
“Bradie will continue to be a dynamic leader in the ag industry,” said Mark Valko of Wray. “Bradie has a keen commitment to excel — regardless of her endeavor — I certainly look froward to following this young lady,” who Valko predicts will someday lead a state or national organization, “and continue be a valuable advocate for agriculture.”
“Her passion for livestock, especially her own Simmental herd, has allowed her to become a strong businesswoman,” said Travis Taylor, a Colorado State University livestock extension specialist. “She has the ability to carry on an intelligent, logical and meaningful conversation on a wide variety of topics. Bradie has a strong work ethic and is founded in faith, integrity and committed to her passions.”
Nichols awarded the 2022 Mark and Eva Gardiner Innovation and Excellence Faculty Award
Dave Nichols, Kansas State University Animal Sciences & Industry professor emeritus, has been awarded the 2022 Mark and Eva Gardiner Innovation and Excellence Faculty award. Arguably one of the most recognizable “faces of K-State,” Nichols’ exemplary 40-year career as an educator included teaching more than 15,000 students. In addition to his responsibilities as a teaching professional, he advised nearly 2,800 students throughout his tenure.
Nichols was raised on a commercial beef, swine and farming operation in Indiana. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Purdue University and master’s and doctorate degrees from K-State. In 1981, Nichols was hired as a K-State extension specialist. In 1983, he transitioned to a teaching and research position. Nichols served as the Animal Sciences and Industry undergraduate teaching coordinator from 1998 until June 2021. Throughout his career, Nichols has been recognized for outstanding achievements and his altruistic contributions to K-State for more than four decades.
Mark and Eva Gardiner, who with their family own and operate Gardiner Angus Ranch near Ashland, Kan., established the award in 2019 to recognize faculty in the K-State College of Agriculture who are excelling through innovative teaching, research or extension that positively impact the global food system. Mark Gardiner made the following comments, “Recognizing Dave Nichols with this award takes into consideration professional and personal friendships that span two generations. I first met Dave as a K-State student. He also taught and advised our sons. Gardiner Angus Ranch has partnered on many beef industry projects in the past 40 years, beginning with Dave’s relationship with Henry Gardiner. Dave has made it his life’s mission to challenge students to think, act and pursue careers with the goal to make the beef business better. Dave Nichols is the perfect example of why Eva and I created this award. His innovations and teaching excellence are unparalleled. His commitment to agriculture, loyalty to Kansas State University and passion for youth are unmatched. His friendship over decades is priceless.”
Gardiner Angus Ranch is a family-owned and operated beef operation that produces registered and commercial Angus cattle. The original ranch was homesteaded near Ashland, Kan., in 1885 by Henry Gardiner’s grandfather. Today, Gardiner Angus Ranch is one of the largest registered Angus seedstock and commercial operations in America and continues to make genetic advancements using only artificial insemination and embryo transfer.
