Farm Credit East Awards $55,500 in Higher Education Scholarships

June 28, 2021

Farm Credit East, the Northeast’s largest agricultural lender, recently awarded $55,500 in higher education scholarships to 33 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 seven-state territory, including six 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 CEO Mike Reynolds.

Farm Credit East Board Chair Laurie Griffen 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 will each receive a $1,500 Farm Credit East scholarship. Additionally, three individuals received a Farm Credit East “Futures” Scholarship following an additional review of the applications for individuals who plan to pursue a career in production agriculture. Futures recipients receive a $2,000 scholarship in additional to their $1,500 award.

FUTURES SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS

Alessandro Rainone of Little Egg Harbor, N.J., will attend Bentley University to major in business management. Alessandro aims to take over his father’s fishing business after graduation.
Ryan Sheehan of East Moriches, N.Y., will attend Michigan State University to major in marketing. Following graduation, Ryan plans to return to his family business with strategic and innovative ideas.
Cole Werner of Rush, N.Y., will attend Iowa State University to major in animal science and ag business. Upon graduation, Cole plans to diversify his family’s vegetable operation.

NEW ENGLAND RECIPIENTS

From the Auburn, Maine, office territory:

Callie Crissey Cook of Belfast, Maine, will major in food studies at William Angliss Institute.

From the Bedford, N.H., office territory:

Kailey Deighan of Center Ossipee, N.H., will attend the University of New Hampshire to major in medical and veterinary sciences.
Hayden Gardner of Loudon, N.H., will major in agricultural equipment technology at SUNY Cobleskill.
Ryan Hoelzel of Epping, N.H., will attend White Mountain Community College to major in heavy diesel mechanics.

From the Dayville, Conn., office territory:

Bailey Hirschboeck of Sterling, Conn., will attend the University of Massachusetts – Amherst to study sustainable food and farming.

From the Enfield, Conn., office territory:

Rachael Trowbridge of Hampton, Conn., will attend the University of New Hampshire to study forestry.

From the Middletown, N.Y., office territory:

Araina Haley of Bridgeport, Conn., will study pre-veterinary science at Colgate University.

From the Presque Isle, Maine, office territory:

Riley Bouchard of New Sweden, Maine, will major in business management at the University of Maine.
Ethan Cassidy of Fort Fairfield, Maine, attends the University of Maine and majors in mechanical engineering for a career in the pulp and paper industry.

NEW JERSEY RECIPIENTS

From the Bridgeton, N.J., office territory:

Benjamin Casella of Clarksboro, N.J., attends Delaware Valley University, studying for a career in turf management.
Abbey Goodenough of Columbus, N.J., majors in animal science at Delaware Valley University.

From the Flemington, N.J., office territory:

Katherine Scheflen of Hillsborough, N.J., will attend Iowa State University to study animal science.

NEW YORK RECIPIENTS

From the Batavia, N.Y., office territory:

Julia Uhrinek of Basom, N.Y., studies animal science at Cornell University.
Reilly Wolfanger of Silver Springs, N.Y., will attend SUNY Morrisville to major in agricultural business.

From the Burrville, N.Y., office territory:

Paige Thorne of Watertown, N.Y., attends Ithaca College, earning a MAT in agriculture education.

From the Claverack, N.Y., office territory:

Rebekah Martz of Red Hook, N.Y., will attend Cornell University to major in animal science.

From the Cooperstown, N.Y., office territory:

Kristiann Frank of Vernon Center, N.Y., attends Ithaca College, earning a MAT in agriculture education.
Allen Graulich of Cobleskill, N.Y., attends Cornell University, majoring in animal science.

From the Cortland, N.Y., office territory:

Brooklin Drake of Marathon, N.Y., will study agribusiness at SUNY Cobleskill.
Amelia Jaworski of LaFayette, N.Y., will attend SUNY Morrisville to study equine science and management.

From the Geneva, N.Y., office territory:

Triana Burgos-Farnan of Penn Yan, N.Y., attends SUNY Cobleskill, majoring in animal science.
Kevin Patt of Scipio Center, N.Y., will study agricultural business and management at SUNY Cobleskill.

From the Greenwich, N.Y., office territory:

Tyler Ziehm of Greenwich, N.Y., will attend Purdue University to major in agriculture systems management.

From the Hornell, N.Y., office territory:

Carolyn Wright of Franklinville, N.Y., attends Ithaca College, earning a MAT in agriculture education.

From the Mayville, N.Y., office territory:

Jennifer Bockhahn of East Concord, N.Y., attends Cornell University and is majoring in interdisciplinary studies.
Lynndee Nagel of Clymer, N.Y., will study animal science at SUNY Cobleskill.

From the Middletown, N.Y., office territory:

Rebecca Coombe of Grahamsville, N.Y., attends Cornell University and is majoring in agricultural sciences.
Joy Musser of Middletown, N.Y., will study equine management at Houghton College.

From the Potsdam, N.Y., office territory: