Cortney Peissig's work on the farm is paying off.

The Exxon Mobil Corp. recently named Peissig and three students from other agriculture schools as the recipients of its inaugural Mobilfluid 424 Scholarship. Each winner received $4,000 to help further his or her education in the farming industry.

"I grew up on a dairy farm in Wisconsin," said Peissig, an agriculture and natural resources communications junior. "I've always been interested in agriculture."

Despite her experience with farming, Peissig said she was surprised to win the scholarship because it was a nationwide competition. She said she had forgotten she even applied by the time the winners were announced.

Applicants were asked to write essays on the "changing landscape of agriculture." Peissig's essay focused on how today's farmers are breaking away from traditional stereotypes. She addressed the growing need for agriculture education and touched on farmers' increasing global awareness.

"Cortney can look at material in a different way to see the big picture," said Jim Lucas, an agriculture professor and Peissig's academic adviser. "She's a go-getter."

Peissig, who has a 4.0 grade-point average, works for the on-campus chapter of the National Agri-Marketing Association. At the association's national competition last year, she helped the MSU team finish in the final four. After graduation, she plans to pursue a career in international agriculture communications.