First year IAA student Grant “Joe” Shaffer is proud to say he was raised on a Baltimore County Farm in Glyndon along with 15 Black Angus.
“I have a passion for angus because it’s what I grew up with. They are my favorite kind of livestock and are easy to get attached to,” says Shaffer, who is majoring in Agricultural Business Management.
Shaffer’s ongoing commitment to cattle has earned him this year’s Thomas Hartsock Animal Management Endowed Scholarship. The former IAA Director, Hartsock established the endowment for students with majors either in the Department of Animal and Avian Sciences or the IAA, and are studying for non-veterinary careers related to the care and management of livestock. “I’m glad to see the scholarship go to an IAA student who has a passion for farm animals,” says Hartsock.
“I can’t thank Dr. Hartsock enough for this scholarship. The annual award is a great way to get more students interested in the hands-on, applied learning that the program offers,” noted Shaffer.
During summer, Shaffer will be back on the family farm working everyday with his herd. With his eye toward the future, Shaffer says next fall he looks forward to taking courses that will help him learn more about the importance of agricultural economics, sustainability and establishing a better connection between farmers and consumers.
After graduation from UMD, Shaffer plans to continue running his family farm. “I want to concentrate on bison research and then have at least 20 herd of Angus on the farm.”
