Farm Credit East Awards $65,000 in Higher Education Scholarships

Farm Credit East, the Northeast’s largest agricultural lender, recently awarded $65,000 in higher education scholarships to 38 student recipients. Farm Credit East’s scholarship program supports students with diverse career aspirations in agriculture, commercial fishing, forest products and related fields from across the association’s eight-state territory, including three diversity candidate recipients.

“This year’s scholarship recipients aspire to make a difference in their communities and are well on their way to becoming future industry leaders and entrepreneurs,” said CEO Mike Reynolds.

Farm Credit East Board Chair Laurie Griffen commented, “The Farm Credit East Board of Directors congratulates these deserving students and wishes them the best for a successful educational experience.”

The following students each received a $1,500 Farm Credit East scholarship. Additionally, four individuals who plan to pursue a career in production agriculture received a Farm Credit East “Futures” Scholarship. Futures recipients receive a $2,000 scholarship in addition to their $1,500 award.

FUTURES SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS 

• Ava Grace Sannino of Cuthogue, N.Y., will attend Cornell University to major in viticulture and enology. Ava plans to return to the family business upon graduation.
• Trinity Wells of Newark, N.Y., will attend Colorado State University to major in horticulture and plan sciences. After graduation, Trinity plans to pursue a career in agriculture and/or sustainable food systems, as well as return to the family farm.
• Philip Rea of Cambridge, N.Y., attends SUNY Cobleskill and majors in agricultural business management. Philip aims to return to the family dairy farm after graduation.

Royal W. Smith Jr. Scholarship Recipient

• Jennifer Swyers of Plattsburgh, N.Y., will attend SUNY Cobleskill to major in agricultural business management. After graduation, Jennifer plans to continue her path to becoming a dairy farmer.

NEW YORK RECIPIENTS

From the Batavia, N.Y., office territory:

• Aydan Low of Avon, N.Y., will be attending SUNY Cobleskill to study animal science.
• Amelia Sidonio of Holley, N.Y., attends Cornell University and is studying agricultural business.

From the Burrville, N.Y., office territory:

• Carson Schweinsberg of Brantingham, N.Y., is studying natural resources conservation and management at Paul Smith’s College.

From the Claverack, N.Y., office territory:

• Caroline Lafferty of Schodack Landing, N.Y., attends Cornell University, majoring in animal science.
• Valerie Lewis of Medusa, N.Y., is studying agricultural business and agricultural education while attending SUNY Cobleskill.

From the Cooperstown, N.Y., office territory:

• Kyle Barnes of DeRuyter, N.Y., attends Virginia Tech, majoring in dairy science.
• Jonas Meays of Holland Patent, N.Y., will study dairy management at SUNY Morrisville.
• Elizabeth Peila of Norwich, N.Y., attends Purdue University and is majoring in agricultural economics.

From the Cortland, N.Y., office territory:

• Annika Donlick of Cortland, N.Y., is studying animal science at SUNY Cobleskill.
• Autumn Madugno of Deposit, N.Y., will attend SUNY Cobleskill to study animal science.

From the Geneva, N.Y., office territory:

• Corrine Brown of Canandaigua , N.Y., is majoring in agricultural science and business management at Cornell University.
• James D. Rejman of Scipio Center, N.Y., is planning to study agricultural business at Michigan State University.

From the Hornell, N.Y., office territory:

• Braxtyn Elliott of Cambridge, N.Y., is planning to attend Alfred State college to study agricultural business.
• Jonathan Lewis of Rexville, N.Y., attends SUNY Cobleskill and majors in agricultural engineering.

From the Mayville, N.Y., office territory:

• Miranda Nickerson of Clymer, N.Y., plans to study animal science at Cornell University.

From the Potsdam, N.Y., office territory:

• Laura Cook of Owls Head, N.Y., will continue her graduate studies in sustainable agriculture and food science at Sam Houston State University.
• Amy Gokey of Malone, N.Y., studies agricultural business management at SUNY Cobleskill.
• Maureen Pierce of Heuvelton, N.Y., attends The Catholic University of America and majors in accounting.

For the full list of recipients, click here.

Farm Credit East is a member-owned cooperative with 25 locations in its eight-state service area. In addition to loans and leases, the organization also offers a full range of specialized financial services, such as tax preparation, payroll, record keeping, appraisal and consulting for farming, forest products and commercial fishing businesses. Farm Credit East is governed by a 19-person board of directors, comprised of 15 customer-elected, two customer appointed and two outside appointed directors. For more information, visit FarmCreditEast.com.