ENFIELD, Conn. — Farm Credit East has awarded four scholarships to students involved in The National FFA Organization (Future Farmers of America), as part of a new scholarship the organization began offering last fall. The student recipients exemplified a strong Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) and expressed a clear understanding of their project’s impact on their future career in an agriculturally related field.
“Farm Credit East is committed to supporting the next generation of Northeast agriculture,” said Farm Credit East CEO Bill Lipinski. “These aspiring students have drive and passion, and their SAE projects are an important part of their development. We’re pleased to support their endeavors on their route to a career in an agriculturally-related field.”
The following students each received a $500 scholarship to support their current SAE project and enhance their knowledge of the agriculture, commercial fishing or forest products industries.
- Lucy Meehan, of Worcester Central School, in Worcester, NY and the Cobleskill – Richmondville FFA chapter. She is working on a group scientific research SAE project focused on the percentage of Schoharie County’s tick population that are carriers of Lyme’s Disease.
- Erin Murray, of Lyman Hall High School and FFA chapter, in Wallingford, CT. Her SAE project is focused on aquaculture.
- Brandon Phelps, of Lowville Academy and Central School and FFA chapter, in Lowville, NY. His SAE project is focused on maple production.
- Michaela Stephens, of Carthage Central School and FFA chapter, in Carthage, NY, currently raises about 20 lambs a year. As part of her SAE project, she is working to double the size of her operation while improving the quality of her flock.
As part of this program, four scholarships are awarded twice per year. Farm Credit East is currently accepting applications for the June 30, 2018 deadline. Applicants must be active in their local FFA chapter and reside within the seven states Farm Credit East serves. To apply for a Farm Credit East FFA scholarship, please visit FarmCreditEast.com/FFAscholarship, or contact a Farm Credit East branch office.
—Farm Credit East
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