WINTER 2026

 

Student Newsletter


 
 
 

FROM THE ISB PRESIDENT

 
Portrait of ISB President Ashley Butkus
Ashley Butkus
ISB President, 2025–2026
 


Hey ASABE!

I hope the semester has gone well and we've all enjoyed a well-needed rest during this winter break.

I am stopping by to highlight some events going on at ASABE and encourage participation in some great opportunities for the next semester

First, the ISB team has created infographics to share with your branches back at home to highlight the student competitions, awards, and scholarships ASABE offers. But, if you follow us on Instagram @asabe_isb (which you all should!), you might have seen some of these already. Some of the deadlines for the opportunities might have passed, but don't worry, these awards run every year!

The drive is linked here.

Two opportunities I would like to especially highlight are the competitions of Fountain Wars and AGCO National Student Design Competition. Fountain Wars is a great opportunity for your branch to travel to AIM, ASABE’s Annual International Meeting, and gain real-world engineering experience. More information can be found in the link above, and the deadline to submit intent to compete is April 15. Those interested should contact gayleb88@hotmail.com. The AGCO National Student Design Competition is an opportunity for seniors to show off their capstone projects with a chance to win real cash prizes! Cash awards of $1,250, $1,000, and $750 will be presented to the first, second, and third-place entries, and more information can be found in the link above. Intent to compete is due May 15.

Another great opportunity for students to get involved in the 2026 Agricultural Equipment Technology Conference held in Louisville, Kentucky, February 8-11. Limited free student registration is available for students who apply! AETC is a valuable networking opportunity for those looking to join the agricultural machinery field. 

Lastly, I’d like to share that ISB is once again traveling to ASABE Headquarters in St. Joseph, Michigan, this March, and we would like your input on what to discuss! We have created a Google form where you can share your inputs for what we should bring to AIM this July. 

The form can be found here.

Thanks for reading, and I hope to hear your input soon.


Ashley Butkus, President
for the ASABE ISB Team
 
 
 
 

Upcoming Deadlines

 

Hard work deserves recognition! Apply now for our prestigious awards and scholarships. 
 

March 15
William J. Adams, Jr. & Marijane E. Adams Scholarship
ASABE Foundation Engineering Scholarship

April 15
Bioprocess Startup Competition
Fountain Wars

April 30
Student Honor Award
 

 
 
 

FEATURED AWARD


Student Honor Award


Submission Deadline: April 30

Learn More
 



About: This award encourages scholarship, activity in student branch affairs, extracurricular, and student activities and the important art of maintaining the good will and respect of associates. Each student engineering branch and student technology branch may elect one student branch member to receive the Student Honor Award for each 25 active members. 

Eligibility: Open to ASABE undergraduate student members. Other requirements apply.

 
 
 

FEATURED COMPETITION

 

K.K. Barnes Student Paper Award Competition


Registration Deadline: May 15

Learn More
 



About: Encourages undergraduate students in the preparation of better technical papers on subjects in the agricultural, food or biological engineering field. The competition consists of two parts: a written competition and an oral competition. 


Eligibility: Open to ASABE student members. Must be undergraduates at the time of the studies that resulted in the preparation of the paper. Other requirements apply.

 
 

FEATURED SCHOLARSHIP

 

ASABE Foundation Scholarship


Submission Deadline: May 15

Learn More



About: A yearly scholarship of $2,000 will be awarded to one undergraduate student who has completed at least one full year as an undergraduate student but Is not a graduating senior the semester/term of application.

Eligibility: Applicant must be a biological or agricultural engineering student enrolled in an ABET or CEAB-accredited program. Other requirements apply.
 
 
 

 

February 8–11, 2026
Seelbach Hotel, Louisville

 

Education • Innovation • Networking


The premier event for industry professionals for more than 30 years
 

 

Free Student Registration

But act now — just a few free student registrations remain

Student Poster Competition with cash prizes!
Deadline January 31

Learn more

 
 
 
 

Winners Circle


Photo of Ryan Sarhan


Ryan Sarhan is an ASABE competition veteran. He admits to being a bit intimidated when he first began participating in ASABE's annual international meeting (AIM), where many of the competitions take place. But he persisted, and now he offers his insights for others, specifically calling out the Young Professionals Community (YPC), which hosts an entire program of events at AIM.

"Getting involved in groups like ASABE Young Professionals Community," he says, "can make being an active member of ASABE feel more accessible. In addition to hosting valuable events at AIM, YPC is a offers opportunities for professional development opportunities geared towards young professionals."
 

Read Ryan's Story
 
 
 

MEMBER BENEFITS

 

Did You Know?

 

Greater earnings potential, more career opportunities, professional trust--there are plenty of reasons to pursue your PE license, and your journey starts with your ASABE membership. As a member, you have access to an array of educational opportunities and even financial support to bring that license within reach.

Ready to get started? Check out our resources!

 
Get Licensed
 
 

Student Competitions • Technical Sessions
Professional Development • Research Exposure
Lifelong Memories

 

AIM 2026

AIM2026 Banner


Where Conversations Advance Innovation—and Careers


ASABE's Annual International Meeting is one of the world's largest gatherings of agricultural and biological engineering and technology professionals. And the 2026 event is shaping up to be one of the best in recent years.

Student members enjoy generous registration discounts, as well as technical and social programming shaped to advance careers and strengthen professional networks.
 
See What's on Tap at AIM2026
 
 
 

Award, Competition & Scholarship Directory


All ASABE Awards


FOR UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS

Pharos of Alexandria Global Learning Award
Robert E. Stewart Engineering-Humanities Award
Roger R. and Laura M. Yoerger Preprofessional Engineer of the Year Award
Student Honor Award


FOR GRADUATE STUDENTS

Pharos of Alexandria Global Learning Award
Robert E. Stewart Engineering-Humanities Award  
 


All ASABE Competitions


FOR UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS

AGCO National Student Design Competition
Bioprocess Startup Competition
ASABE Robotics Student Design Competition
K. K. Barnes Student Paper Award Competition
Fountain Wars Student Design Competition
International 1/4 Scale Tractor Student Design Competition
Open Format - Gunlogson Environmental Design Student Competition
AIM Student Oral/Poster Presentation Competition


FOR GRADUATE STUDENTS

Bioprocess Startup Competition
ASABE Robotics Student Design Competition
Boyd-Scott Graduate Research Award 
International 1/4 Scale Tractor Student Design Competition
AIM Student Oral/Poster Presentation Competition
 


All ASABE Scholarships


FOR UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS

William J. Adams, Jr. & Marijane E. Adams Scholarship
ASABE Foundation Scholarship


FOR PhD STUDENTS

John C. Nye Graduate Fellowship
 
 
 


Leverage the ASABE Brand


Chapter volunteers! Boost engagement with our ASABE Brand Guide. This simple yet effective tool is designed to help you leverage the ASABE brand, streamline your messaging, and implement the new ASABE logos, fonts, and colors.

Bonus! We created an additional reference just for our student chapters. The  University Brand Guide is a quick reference tailored specifically to the day-to-day needs of student chapters, with brand basics, ready-made graphics, and templates for your chapter logo.

Get started!

 
 

Published by the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers
Dolores Landeck, Editor