News and Press Releases
Farm Credit Foundation for Agricultural Advancement Awards $315,000 in Scholarships to 39 Recipients
Mechanicsburg, PA — In commitment to ensuring the future of agriculture is bright, the Farm Credit Foundation for Agricultural Advancement recently awarded a total of $315,000 in scholarships to 39 students. The scholarships — valued at $5,000, $7,500 or $10,000 — are awarded based on each individual’s commitment to academics and leadership, and aid in their pursuit of a career in the agriculture industry.
“We are thrilled to award these outstanding young individuals with scholarships to help make their dreams a reality and support their further education as they prepare for exciting careers in agriculture,” says Travis Hastings, Chair of the Farm Credit Foundation for Agricultural Advancement. “Investing in the future generation of agriculturalists is vital to ensuring the industry continues to thrive, and we look forward to seeing the positive impact these exceptional individuals make on agriculture.”
The Foundation, funded by Horizon Farm Credit, was established in 2015 to make positive impacts in agriculture, and serves Horizon Farm Credit’s 100 county territory in Delaware, Pennsylvania, and parts of Maryland, Virginia, and West Virigina. The scholarship program offers awards to high school seniors or those currently enrolled in a two- or four-year higher education program, with plans to pursue a career in agriculture.
The 2024 scholarship recipients include:
Alana Alexander-Giles of Marriottsville, Maryland
Shalelyn Armstrong of Port Royal, Pennsylvania
Cheyenne Bastian-Brown of Ralston, Pennsylvania
Brooke Beamesderfer of Annville, Pennsylvania
Michael Berger of Weatherly, Pennsylvania
Chloe Bomgardner of Jonestown, Pennsylvania
Dalena Bryant of Frederick, Maryland
Jaclyn Bryant of Frederick, Maryland
Brielle Carter of Harrington, Delaware
Edwina Chen of Newark, Delaware
Andrea Clark of Newport, Pennsylvania
Kaitlyn Collins of Clayton, Delaware
Charles Colvin V of Malvern, Pennsylvania
Sam Curley of Mount Airy, Maryland
Sarah Diehl of McVeytown, Pennsylvania
Peyton Dugan of Shepherdstown, West Virginia
Avery Dull of Westminster, Maryland
Peyton Easton of Dover, Delaware
Alex Empet of Kingsley, Pennsylvania
Ava Esterly of Pottstown, Pennsylvania
Hayden Fox of North East, Pennsylvania
Darcy Heltzel of Martinsburg, Pennsylvania
Georgia Horosky of St. Peters, Pennsylvania
Natalie Hummell of Macungie, Pennsylvania
Avery Kerrick of Greenwood, Delaware
Kennah Kerns of Clearbrook, Virginia
Ashlynn Kidwell of Sykesville, Maryland
Sarah Lasko of Conneaut Lake, Pennsylvania
Cody Lehman of Nescopeck, Pennsylvania
Carly Lindley of Frederick, Maryland
Luke Michaud of Smyrna, Delaware
Brock O’Day of Seaford, Delaware
Tate Ondrik of New Market, Maryland
Breann Poole of Mt. Pleasant, Pennsylvania
Hannah Uhlman of Exton, Pennsylvania
Ella Vandervort of Townsend, Delaware
McKenna Vest of Clayton, Delaware
Faith Wolfe of Centre Hall, Pennsylvania
Kelsey Zepp of New Windsor, Maryland
Applications for the 2025 scholarship program will open later in 2024, and eligible students are encouraged to apply. Scholarship funds are available for students within Horizon Farm Credit’s 100 county footprint or Washington, D.C. Applicants must be pursuing careers in agriculture and enrolled in a two or four-year educational program at a college or university, or students currently enrolled in a technical school.
For more information about the scholarship and the Foundation, visit fcfoundationforag.org.
About the Farm Credit Foundation for Agricultural Advancement
The Farm Credit Foundation for Agricultural Advancement is a non-profit foundation formed in 2015 to help advance the future of agriculture. Since inception, the Foundation has awarded more than $1.6 million through scholarships and community education programs. The Foundation’s scholarship program is open to all eligible students located in Horizon Farm Credit’s 100 county territory in Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, and Washington D.C. Learn more at fcfoundationforag.org.
About Horizon Farm Credit
Horizon Farm Credit is a member-owned agricultural lending cooperative, providing consistent and reliable financing and related services to full- and part-time farmers, agricultural-related businesses, and rural landowners. The Association serves 100 counties across Delaware, Pennsylvania, and parts of Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia. The Association has more than 22,100 members and over $6.5 billion in loans outstanding. Learn more at horizonfc.com.
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