ENFIELD, Conn. — Farm Credit East, the Northeast’s largest agricultural lending cooperative, recently awarded $49,500 in college scholarships to 32 student recipients. Farm Credit East’s scholarship program supports students with diverse career aspirations in agriculture, commercial fishing and the forest products sectors from across the association’s seven-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 CEO Bill Lipinski.
Matt Beaton, Farm Credit East board chair, commented, “The Farm Credit East Board of Directors is very supportive of the scholarship program. We congratulate these deserving students and their families, and wish them the best for a successful educational experience.”
The following students will each receive a $1,500 Farm Credit East scholarship. Additionally, Lane Moir, of Woodland, Maine received the Farm Credit East “Chair Scholarship” following a second tier, in-depth review of the applications for individuals that plan to pursue a career in production agriculture. This recipient earned an additional $1,500 award.
Moir is from Farm Credit East’s Presque Isle, Maine office territory and attends the University of Maine where he majors in agribusiness and sustainable agriculture. A fourth-generation farmer, he plans to return to his family’s operation after graduation.
New England Recipients
From the Auburn, Maine office territory:
- Kristen Davis, of New Sharon, Maine, will apply her degree in marketing communications from Husson University to a career in agricultural marketing.
- Gabrielle Guillemette, of Lyman, Maine, plans to specialize in large animal reproductive health at the University of Maine as she works toward her goal of owning her own practice.
From the Bedford, N.H. office territory:
- Caroline Crouch, of Loudon, N.H., is pursuing a career in ag education at SUNY Cobleskill, where she majors in agricultural business.
- Taylor Dorsey, of Milford, N.H., will attend the University of Kentucky to major in equine science. She plans a career in large animal medicine.
- Emma Miner, of Merrimack, N.H., attends the University of New Hampshire in pursuit of a career as a large animal veterinarian.
Representing the Claverack, N.Y. office:
- Madison Simonds, of East Canaan, Conn., plans a career as a large animal veterinarian. She will major in veterinary sciences and food systems at the University of Vermont.
From the Dayville, Conn. office territory:
- Adam Luchon, of Willington, Conn., will attend the University of Maine to pursue a career in forestry.
From the Enfield, Conn. office territory:
- Gregory Norris, of Westhampton, Mass., will major in animal science at Pennsylvania State University where he is working toward a career in dairy production and management.
- Emily Syme, of Broad Brook, Conn., aims to be a production agriculture consultant. She will study plant science at the University of Connecticut.
Representing the Middleboro, Mass. Office:
- Carina Kilduff, of Canton, Mass., is a graduate student at the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine. She aims to open her own practice.
New Jersey Recipients
From the Bridgeton, N.J. office territory:
- Sierra Eachus, of Elmer, N.J., majors in agricultural business at Cumberland County College. She plans for a career on her family’s dairy farm as both owner and herd manager.
- Evan McIntire, of Shamong, N.J., studies marine transportation operations at Maine Maritime Academy. He aspires to become captain of a commercial fishing vessel.
From the Flemington, N.J. office territory:
- Sara Meyer, of Pittstown, N.J., majors in business at Rutgers University as she works toward a career in agribusiness.
New York Recipients
From the Batavia, N.Y. office territory:
- Harrison Brown, of Waterport, N.Y., will study agricultural science at Cornell University with plans to return to his family’s fruit operation as manager and owner.
- Anna Spoth, of Clarence Center, N.Y., will study animal science at Cornell University. She plans a career as a large animal veterinarian.
From the Burrville, N.Y. office territory:
- Alexis Payne, of Glenfield, N.Y., aspires to a career as a dairy nutritionist. She plans to study animal science at SUNY Cobleskill.
Representing the Claverack, N.Y. office:
- James Hicks, of Rhinebeck, N.Y., plans to study mechanical engineering at SUNY Polytechnic Institute for a career as an ag mechanical engineer.
- Elena Suarez, of Nassau, N.Y., will study plant science at Cornell University in pursuit of a career as a plant breeder.
From the Cooperstown, N.Y. office territory:
- Kylie Lehr, of Canastota, N.Y., studies animal science at Cornell University. She plans to pursue a career in dairy agribusiness.
- Rileigh Mumbulo, of Edmeston, N.Y., attends SUNY Morrisville with a major in agricultural engineering technology. She hopes to diversify her family’s eighth-generation dairy farm.
- Megan Wilmot, of Cherry Valley, N.Y., majors in animal science at Pennsylvania State University in her pursuit of a career as a large animal veterinarian.
Representing the Cortland, N.Y. office:
- Faith Clancy, of New Woodstock, N.Y., is studying agricultural business management at SUNY Cobleskill to pursue an agricultural career in sales, marketing or finance.
- Kennedy Crothers, of Pitcher, N.Y., plans a career as a dairy herdsman and nutritionist. Crothers attends Virginia Tech where she majors in dairy science.
- Alyssa Roorda, of Cayuta, N.Y., will attend Cornell University to major in agricultural education. She hopes for a career as an agricultural teacher.
From the Geneva, N.Y., office territory:
- Joshua Bailey, of Williamson, N.Y., will study agricultural science and agricultural business at SUNY Cobleskill. He hopes for a career in apple production.
From the Greenwich, N.Y. office territory:
- Gabrielle Tarbox, of Troy, N.Y., majors in animal science at Cornell University. She plans for a career in agricultural lending.
From the Hornell, N.Y. office territory:
- Cheyenne Ribble, of Painted Post, N.Y., will study animal science at Pennsylvania State University. She hopes to run a large animal veterinarian practice.
From the Mayville, N.Y. office territory:
- Emily Starceksi, of Sherman, N.Y., plans to attend Cornell University to major in animal science for a career working with dairy cattle.
From the Middletown, N.Y. office territory:
- Noah Eisenhardt, of Montgomery, N.Y., studies forestry technology at Paul Smith’s College. Noah plans to operate his own logging business.
Representing the Riverhead, N.Y. office:
- John Auwaerter, of Blue Point, N.Y., plans to return to his family’s retail garden center after earning his degree in horticulture technology management from Farmingdale State College.
- Larissa Li, of Fresh Meadows, N.Y., plans to study horticulture at Delaware Valley University. She plans a career as an agricultural teacher.
The Farm Credit East scholarship program is for college bound students with career aspirations in agriculture, forest products and commercial fishing. Farm Credit East makes a strong commitment to promoting diversity as part of the scholarship program.
To apply for a 2020 scholarship, contact a Farm Credit East branch office or visit FarmCreditEast.com. Applications will be available in January 2020.
–Farm Credit East