FreeState Connection Opens Door to Kansas State Agriculture Scholarships

Riley Buss of Grantville, Kansas, is the recipient of the CHS Foundation 2023-2024 Scholarship and Baylee Wulfkuhle of Lawrence, Kansas, has been awarded the 2023-2024 David and Susan Barton Cooperative Leadership Scholarship through the Arthur Capper Cooperative Center and the Department of Agricultural Economics at Kansas State University.  

Wulfkuhle, a senior in agricultural economics and global food systems leadership, grew up in a fourth-generation farming and ranching operation. Her father, Mark Wulfkuhle serves on FreeState’s Board of Trustees, so she has a solid connection to the value of cooperatives. Baylee serves on the K-State College of Agriculture Student Council and is a KSU Food Security Scholar, a Student Fellow for the Center for Risk Management Education and Research, a K-State College of Ag Ambassador and a member of the K-State Agricultural Economics/Agribusiness Club. She is also a member of and has held leadership positions for the Kansas and National Junior Angus Associations. Baylee volunteers for several community organizations, works for K-State Athletics and served as a teaching assistant for the K-State Department of Agricultural Economics while excelling academically. She completed internships with Frontier Farm Credit and Landmark National Bank and upon graduation in December 2023, she plans to pursue graduate school or a career in ag lending.   

The David and Susan Barton Cooperative Leadership Scholarship has awarded over $151,597 in scholarships since its establishment in 2014. David and Susan Barton came to Kansas State University in 1976 and have been contributing to cooperative education for many years. They are now encouraging the next generation to develop into strong educated leaders.  

“The purpose of the David and Susan Barton Cooperative Leadership Scholarship is to encourage the development of leaders in the agribusiness community,” states Professor Brian Briggeman, director of the Arthur Capper Cooperative Center.  “It’s also to provide significant financial assistance to eligible students enrolled in educational programs emphasizing these areas of study.”  

Buss, a senior in agricultural economics and mathematics, serves as a K-State College of Agriculture Ambassador and is a student fellow in the Center for Risk Management Education and Research (CRMER). She is a member of the K-State Agricultural Economics/Agribusiness club and Alpha Zeta Fraternity where she held a leadership role as secretary. Riley has worked as an undergraduate teaching assistant and completed two internships, one with Cargill Animal Nutrition and one as part of a trade product control team. She is very interested in embarking on a career managing risk, especially in agriculture, after she graduates in May 2024. The Buss family is affiliated with AgMark LLC, Cloud County Cooperative Elevator, FreeState Electric Cooperative and Rolling Hills Electric Cooperative.  

“The CHS Foundation Scholarships are one way the CHS Foundation is giving back to future agricultural leaders at Kansas State University,” states Professor Brian Briggeman, director of the Arthur Capper Cooperative Center.  

The CHS Foundation, funded by gifts from CHS Inc., the nation’s leading farmer-owned cooperative, has awarded $218,600 in scholarships through the Arthur Capper Cooperative Center in the Department of Agricultural Economics at Kansas State University since 2006. 

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Left photo: (left to right) Dr. David Barton, ACCC Director Emeritus and KSU AGEC Professor Emeritus, Liberty Thompson, Baylee Wulfkuhle and Susan Barton at the K-State Department of Agricultural Economics Awards Banquet, September 22, 2023. Right photo: (back row, left to right): Cody Fosket, Trent Beier, Dr. Brian Briggeman, ACCC Director and KSU AGEC Professor, Riley Buss and Emma Thorpe at the K-State Agricultural Economics Awards Banquet, September 22, 2023.