Farm Credit East invests $88K in future ag leader scholarships

Farm Credit East, the Northeast’s largest agricultural lender, recently awarded $88,000 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 from across the association’s eight-state territory.

“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 Farm Credit East CEO Mike Reynolds.

Farm Credit East Board Chair John Knopf 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 $2,000 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 an additional $2,000 scholarship.

Futures Scholarship Recipients

• Royal W. Smith Jr. Scholarship Recipient: Hailee Allen, of New Haven, Vt., will attend SUNY Cobleskill to major in dairy management. Hailee plans to manage and eventually own a dairy operation.
• Allison Dunning, of Jackman, Maine, will major in agricultural business at SUNY Cobleskill. Allison aims to become a member of her family’s maple and livestock operations.
• Nina Dejnak, of Deerfield, Mass., will study animal science and wildlife management at SUNY Cobleskill. Nina plans to diversify and improve the environmental impact of her family’s farm.
• Peter Mueller, of Clifton Springs, N.Y., attends Cornell University where he majors in agricultural science. Peter plans to contribute to his family’s multigenerational dairy farm.

New England recipients

Recipients from Connecticut:

• Chloe Bombero, of Norfolk, Conn., studies animal science at Kansas State University.
• Laurelin Boyer, of North Franklin, Conn., will study pre-veterinary science at the University of Wisconsin – River Falls.
• Madelyn Syme, of South Windsor, Conn., will study animal science at the University of Connecticut.

Recipients from Maine:

• Natalie Brennan, of Penobscot, Maine, majors in agricultural communications at Texas Tech University.
• Willis Rienhardt, of Exeter, Maine, will attend South Dakota State University to major in precision agriculture.
• Ryan Wright, of Littleton, Maine, will study agricultural science and agribusiness at the University of Maine – Presque Isle.

Recipients from Massachusetts:

• Sarah Ashley, of East Freetown, Mass., will study animal science at the University of Massachusetts – Amherst.
• Miru Kunst, of West Boylston, Mass., will attend Worcester Polytechnic Institute to major in industrial engineering.

Recipients from New Hampshire:

• Charlotte Dill, of Deerfield, N.H., will major in animal science at the University of New Hampshire.

Recipients from Vermont:

• Zachary Johnson, of Tunbridge, Vt., studies animal science at The Ohio State University.
• Kellon Mencucci, of East Hardwick, Vt., will attend Paul Smiths to major in environmental studies.
• Natalie Michaud, of Greensboro, Vt., will study animal science at SUNY Cobleskill.

New Jersey recipients:

• Hailey Bradbury, of Bridgeton, N.J., will study animal science at Delaware Valley University.
• Pierce Groblewski, of Far Hills, N.J., will attend Cornell University to major in agricultural science.
• Lydia Kilinski, of Flemington, N.J., studies crop science at Delaware Valley University.
• Robyn D. Skeete, of Cranbury, N.J., attends Rutgers University to study plant science.
• Trinity Stockel, of Manalapan, N.J., majors in agriculture and food systems at Rutgers University.

New York recipients:

• Jillian Brewer, of Oakfield, N.Y., will study agricultural science at Cornell University.
• Elsie Donlick, of Cortland, N.Y., majors in animal science at SUNY Cobleskill.
• Aaron Finn, of Holland Patent, N.Y., will major in agricultural business at SUNY Cobleskill.
• Vanessa Grant, of Middleport, N.Y., studies agricultural business at SUNY Cobleskill.
• Hannah Holmes, of East Concord, N.Y., will major in agricultural business at Alfred State College.
• Lauren King, of Schuylerville, N.Y., attends Cornell University to study animal science.
• Madelyn King, of North Java, N.Y., will attend Kansas State University to major in agricultural business.
• Adam Li, of Valley Stream, N.Y., majors in sustainable food and farming at the University of Massachusetts – Amherst.
• Amelia Mastalerz, of Hicksville, N.Y., studies animal science at Cornell University.
• Alexander McCarthy, of Hornell, N.Y., will attend SUNY ESF to study Natural Resources Management.
• Laura Mills, of Greenwood, N.Y., attends Alfred State College to study agricultural business.
• Garrett Phelps, of Copenhagen, N.Y., majors in agricultural business at SUNY Morrisville.
• Kaitlyn Putman, of Lisbon, N.Y., will attend St. Lawrence University to major in biology.
• Caylene Russell, of Plymouth, N.Y., will study animal science at Cornell University.
• Alexis Schultz, of Marion, N.Y., will attend University of Wisconsin – Madison to study dairy food and animal management.
• Elaina Wells, of Fort Plain, N.Y., will attend SUNY Cobleskill to study agricultural business
• Gianna E. White, of Vernon, N.Y., will study animal science at SUNY Cobleskill.
• Blanche Wolf, of Lyons, N.Y., attends SUNY Morrisville to study agricultural business.
• Stephanie Youngers, of Dansville, N.Y., majors in agricultural science and agronomy at SUNY Morrisville.