KATELYN VANDER VEEN Katelyn, daughter of Tim and Mindy Vander Veen of Lynden, recently graduated from Lynden Christian High School. She is currently enrolled at Oregon State University in Corvallis, OR where she is pursuing a degree in Agricultural Sciences to achieve her career goals of working in the agriculture industry. During the pandemic, Katelyn assisted in the installation of robotic milkers. She gained invaluable knowledge in both the technology side and the troubleshooting aspects of the new equipment and uses that knowledge to help in her family’s dairy business. Katelyn competed in both State and National FFA competitions in Farm Business Management and Dairy Quality and Product Evaluation events. DANIEL WALTNER Daniel has begun his higher education at Central Washington University in Ellensburg, WA. The son of Brian and Cristina Waltner of Mount Vernon, Daniel graduated from La Conner High School and participated in the running start program at Skagit Valley College. He will earn his degree in Business/Food and Agribusiness Management and Marketing and looks forward to utilizing his education to expand and grow the family farm in the Skagit Valley. Daniel has worked many jobs on the farm from working the berries, machine operator, shop assistant, fork-lift operator, potato truck driver, mowing, raking hay and balancing cash receipts for the produce stands. The nature and variety of work is one of the reasons Daniel wants a career in agriculture. DAKOTA RAMIREZ Dakota graduated from Arlington High School and Sno-Isle Skills Center this past spring where she participated in the veterinary assistant program. She is now attending Skagit Valley College before transferring to a university where she can complete her degree in Animal Science and enter vet school. Dakota plans to work as a large animal veterinarian. She is the daughter of Joseph and Jessica Silicio, Stanwood, WA. During high school, Dakota assisted in riding lessons, grooming, cleaning stalls and feeding over 40 horses at a local horse ranch. A member of 4H and several horse-related organizations, she participated in barrel racing, pole bending and western games. Dakota also served in an internship with the Arlington Animal Hospital. DUNCAN PARKS Duncan is the son of Jamie and Melanie Parks. Graduating from Lynden High School, Duncan is now attending Montana State University where he studies ag business and accounting. His exposure to agriculture began seven years ago when his family moved to Whatcom County to live and work on a raspberry farm. He was able to learn about berry farming by working at a variety of jobs on the farm. Most recently, he worked with the agronomy team, scouting for pests and running irrigation on 1,300 acres of berries. An active member of FFA, Duncan participated in Parliamentary Procedure, Dairy Judging and Ag Issues. Valuing the community, hard work and passion required to succeed in agriculture shaped his decision to pursue a career in business agriculture.
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