DAIRY NEWS – The inaugural Alan Koepke Memorial Scholarship was presented to Megan Mosgaller of Iron Ridge, Wis., during the opening session of the 2026 Professional Dairy Producers? (PDP) Business Conference, Wednesday, March 4, in Madison, Wis.
Currently a student at University of Wisconsin-River Falls, Mosgaller is pursuing a career as a food animal veterinarian serving producers in the dairy sector. Upon graduating from UW-River Falls in spring of 2027, she plans to attend UW-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine, after which she would like to work in a private rural practice focusing on large and food animal medicine to support dairy producers through herd health management, animal welfare and sustainable-production practices.
While employed at Krescent Valley Dairy near Richfield, Wis., where Mosgaller has worked for the past three years, she gained firsthand experience with daily farm operations and animal care. In addition, through her work with Connecterra, an AI-powered platform that uses farm data to improve decision-making, she has garnered practical experience using artificial intelligence tools to evaluate herd performance and overall farm efficiency.
The Alan Koepke Memorial Scholarship, formally announced in January 2026 by Dairy’s Foundation, honors the life, legacy, and values of Alan Koepke, a founding member of PDP and a fervent advocate for agriculture, education and people. Funded through memorial contributions from family, friends, and colleagues, the scholarship reflects a shared commitment to encouraging students who are passionate about agriculture, particularly those focused on production agriculture and shaping the future of the industry. The scholarship will continue to award $2,000 annually to one deserving student each year.
“The Alan Koepke Memorial Scholarship is more than financial assistance. It’s a tribute to Alan Koepke’s passionate belief in people, education, and the importance of agriculture,” said Brian Forrest, dairy producer from Stratford, Wis., and chair of Dairy’s Foundation board of directors. “The scholarship is also an investment in the next generation of industry visionaries, and by it Dairy’s Foundation and the Koepke family aim to invest in students who will carry forward the values of stewardship, commitment, and service to agriculture.”
Dairy’s Foundation, a national public-held foundation was established by Professional Dairy Producers in 2002 as a way to raise funds and awards grants for educational programs. The Foundation is a 501(c)3 entity. Our mission is to share ideas, resources and experiences about important issues surrounding the dairy industry through educational opportunities for dairy producers and the public.
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