Farm Credit East Awards $90,000 in Higher Education Scholarships

ENFIELD, CONN. — Farm Credit East, the Northeast’s largest agricultural lender, recently awarded $90,000 in higher education scholarships to 41 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, including four diversity 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 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

J. Isaac Folts, of North Collins, N.Y., will attend Cornell University to major in animal science. Isaac has plans to maximize the potential of his family farm.
Royal W. Smith Jr. Scholarship Recipient: John Lincoln, of Randolph Center, Vt., will major in construction management at Vermont State University. John plans a career as a working lands business owner on his family’s farm, including excavation, logging, beef and maple sugaring.
Kylie Hearn, Westhampton, N.Y., will study enology at Washington State University. Kylie aims to become a winemaker to contribute to her family’s multigenerational involvement in the wine industry.
Payson Rienhardt, of Exeter, Maine, attends the University of Maine where he majors in forestry. Payson plans a career as a forester with a focus on sustainability.

NEW ENGLAND RECIPIENTS

Recipients from Connecticut:

Priya Betts, of South Windsor, Conn., studies animal science at the University of Massachusetts – Amherst.
Griffin Mandirola, of Suffield, Conn., will study agriculture and natural resources at the University of Connecticut.
Amelia Withington, of Baltic, Conn., majors in animal science at SUNY Cobleskill to major in animal science.

Recipients from Maine:

Abram McCrum, of Mars Hill, Maine, will major in mechanical engineering technology at the University of Maine.
Becky Sue Seifrit, of Stockton Springs, Maine, attends the University of Maine at Augusta to major in business administration – accounting.

Recipients from Massachusetts:

Olivia Camara, of Acushnet, Mass., majors in sustainable agriculture and food systems at the University of New Hampshire.
Datev Gevorkian, of Bedford, Mass., studies sustainable food and farming at the University of Massachusetts – Amherst.
Valerie Ho, of Arlington, Mass., attends Northeastern University where to major in environmental and sustainability sciences.
Callie VandenAkker, of Whitinsville, Mass., majors in agriculture at Dordt University.

Recipients from New Hampshire:

Abhinav Avvaru, of Nashua, N.H., will major in ag research at Columbia University.
Elizabeth Bliss, of Hudson, N.H., studies veterinary science at Great Bay Community College.
Lauren Gardner, of Loudon, N.H., attends SUNY Cobleskill to study wildlife management.
Adrianna George, of Milford, N.H., majors in animal science at the University of New Hampshire.

Recipients from Rhode Island:

Pietro DiStefano, of North Kingstown, R.I., will major in agricultural education at Oklahoma State University.

Recipients from Vermont:

Abigail Reen, of Lincoln, Vt., studies sustainable agriculture and food systems at the University of New Hampshire.

NEW JERSEY RECIPIENTS

Nora Doonan, of Highland Lakes, N.J., studies plant science the University of Connecticut.
Pradthana Nuan Ngam, of Middletown, N.J., will study veterinary medicine at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine.

NEW YORK RECIPIENTS

Abbie Ainslie, of Clayville, N.Y., is studying animal science at Cornell University.
Shannon Algiere, of Tarrytown, N.Y., majors in accounting at Westchester Community College.
Claire Barber, of Schuylerville, N.Y., majors in ag business at SUNY Adirondack.
John Burditt, of Hartwick, N.Y., will study dairy production and management at SUNY Cobleskill.
Taylor Cary, of Salem, N.Y., will major in livestock business management at Colorado State University.
Peyton Darling, of Schenevus, N.Y., will attend Cornell School of Veterinary Medicine to study veterinary medicine.
Laken Dyn, of Jordanville, N.Y., will attend Kansas State University to major in animal science.
Molly Edgar, of Plessis, N.Y., will major in animal science at SUNY Cobleskill.
Taryn Hoyt, of Odessa, N.Y., studies animal science at SUNY Cobleskill.
Emma Jenks, of Millerton, N.Y., attends Colorado State University to study extension education.
Caroline Kelly, of Greenwich, N.Y., will attend University of Rochester to study cell and developmental biology.
Nathaniel King, of Schuylerville, N.Y., will major in animal science at Cornell University.
Keller LaClair, of Ellenburg Center, N.Y., will attend SUNY Cobleskill to major in plant science.
Brittany Martin, of Strykersville, N.Y., majors in animal science at Cornell University.
Lilly Mills, of Canastota, N.Y., will attend Cornell University to study animal science.
Kelly Niefergold, of Lawtons, N.Y., will attend SUNY Morrisville to study dairy management.
Cameron Stanton, of Orient, N.Y., will study environmental law at Tufts University.
Ella Underberg, of Springville, N.Y., will attend West Virginia University to study ag education.
Sophia Wilbur, of Fabius, N.Y., majors in animal science at Cornell University.
Alysa Williams, of Little Valley, N.Y., studies agribusiness management at SUNY Alfred State.