Farm Credit Northeast awards $68K in scholarships

Farm Credit East, the Northeast’s largest agricultural lender, recently awarded $68,000 in higher education scholarships to 40 student recipients. Farm Credit East’s scholarship program supports students with diverse career aspirations in agriculture, commercial fishing, forest products, and related fields across the association’s eight-state territory, including four diverse 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 and their $1,500 award.

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Futures scholarship recipients

• Allison Gabel, of Lawtons, N.Y., will attend SUNY Cobleskill to major in animal science. Allison plans a career as a dairy herd manager. 
• Royal W. Smith Jr. Scholarship Recipient: Lincoln Michaud, of East Hardwick, Vt., will attend Cornell University to major in animal science. Lincoln plans to return to his family’s farm after graduation.
• John Pellechia, of Cape Elizabeth, Maine, majors in finance and entrepreneurship at Babson College. John is working toward a career as a commercial lobsterman. 
• Amy Wiknik, of Middletown, Conn., will attend the University of Connecticut to major in animal science. Amy plans to own a farm producing local meats and vegetables.

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New England recipients

• Jocelyn Roache, of Belmont, N.H., will study agricultural education at West Virginia University.
• Spencer Markow, of Cornwall, Conn., will attend SUNY Morrisville to major in agricultural mechanics. 
• Matthew Syrotiak, of Bethlehem, Conn., majors in animal science at the University of Connecticut. 
• Abigail Wilber, of New Hartford, Conn., attends the University of Connecticut, majoring in animal science. 
• Dustin Beloin, of Jay, Vt., studies automotive mechanics at Vermont Technical College. 
• Hayley Gebhart, of Enfield, Conn., majors in animal science at the University of New Hampshire.
• Emily Tolzdorf, of Wendell, Mass., will major in arboriculture and urban forestry at the University of Massachusetts – Amherst.
• Hailey Charles, of Rehoboth, Mass., majors in plant and soil science at the University of Massachusetts – Amherst.
• Karissa Livingston, of New Haven, Vt., studies business and finance at the University of New Hampshire. 
• Lane McCrum, of Mars Hill, Maine, will attend WyoTech to study diesel mechanics.
• Jonathan Staples, of Presque Isle, Maine, will attend Northern Maine Community College to major in diesel hydraulics.
• Edward Gowdy, of Walpole, N.H., will major in plant science at SUNY Cobleskill.
• Chelsey Patch, of Walpole, N.H., is earning her master’s in animal biosciences at the University of Vermont.

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New Jersey recipients

• Alexandra Karanikas, of Sparta, N.J., will attend Cornell University to major in environment and sustainability. 
• Benjamin Warga, of Flanders, N.J., will study animal science at Delaware Valley University.

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New York recipients

• Enock Bondo, of Buffalo, N.Y., studies agricultural sciences at Cornell University. 
• Hanna Lighthall, of Croghan, N.Y., will attend Cornell University to major in global development and international agriculture. 
• Brendan Scoralick, of Poughquag, N.Y., attends SUNY Cobleskill, majoring in ag business management. 
• Aiden Ainslie, of Clayville, N.Y., studies dairy nutrition at Cornell University.
• Grace Dunham, of Summit, N.Y., majors in global and public health sciences at 
  Cornell University.
• Timothy Vanlieshout, of Verona, N.Y., attends SUNY Morrisville, majoring in dairy science.
• Dwight Eldridge, of Cortland, N.Y., will attend SUNY Cobleskill to major in agricultural equipment technology.
• Jared Walters, of Marietta, N.Y., majors in agricultural sciences at Cornell University.
• Molly Mueller, of Clifton Springs, N.Y., majors in environment and sustainability at Cornell University. 
• Teagan Werner, of Rush, N.Y., will attend SUNY Geneseo to major in biology/pre-veterinary.
• Hannah Koval, of Stillwater, N.Y., studies agricultural sciences at Cornell University. 
• Caitlyn VanDeusen, of Saratoga Springs, N.Y., will major in secondary education at Delaware Valley University. 
• Jacob Ziehm, of Greenwich, N.Y., will attend Michigan State University to major in agribusiness management. 
• Jade Atherton, of Greenwood, N.Y., majors in agricultural sciences at Cornell University. 
• Brynn Scholl, of Rexville, N.Y., will attend SUNY Alfred State to study agriculture business management. 
• Charles Agle, of Eden, N.Y., studies plant sciences at SUNY Cobleskill. 
• LynnDee Nagel, of Clymer, N.Y., majors in animal science at SUNY Cobleskill.
• Holly Niefergold, of Lawtons, N.Y., will attend SUNY Cobleskill to study agriculture business management. 
• Rebecca Coombe, of Grahamsville, N.Y., majors in agricultural and animal science at Cornell University.
• Colin Phelps, of Callicoon, N.Y., will attend SUNY Alfred State to major in heavy equipment operations. 
• Raymond Pan, of New York, N.Y., studies environment and sustainability at Cornell University.