Farm Credit East Awards $65,000 in Higher Education Scholarships

Farm Credit East, the Northeast’s largest agricultural lender, recently awarded $65,000 in higher education scholarships to 38 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 three 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 each received a $1,500 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 a $2,000 scholarship in addition to their $1,500 award. 

FUTURES SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS 

• Ava Grace Sannino of Cuthogue, N.Y., will attend Cornell University to major in viticulture and enology. Ava plans to return to the family business upon graduation. 
• Trinity Wells of Newark, N.Y., will attend Colorado State University to major in horticulture and plan sciences. After graduation, Trinity plans to pursue a career in agriculture and/or sustainable food systems, as well as return to the family farm. 
• Philip Rea of Cambridge, N.Y., attends SUNY Cobleskill and majors in agricultural business management. Philip aims to return to the family dairy farm after graduation. 

Royal W. Smith Jr. Scholarship Recipient

• Jennifer Swyers of Plattsburgh, N.Y., will attend SUNY Cobleskill to major in agricultural business management. After graduation, Jennifer plans to continue her path to becoming a dairy farmer.

NEW ENGLAND RECIPIENTSFrom the Bedford, N.H., office territory:

• Samina Mian of Lexington, Mass., attends Mount Wachusett Community College and studies natural resources.
• Stephania Surowiec of Sanbornton, N.H., studies agroecology at the University of Vermont.

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

• Zachary James Duda of Woodbury Conn., will begin graduate school at University College Dublin to study sustainable agriculture and rural development.
• Jasleen Phinney of Torrington, Conn., will attend Northwestern Connecticut Community College to study veterinary technology.

From the Dayville, Conn., office territory:

• Shelby Bellows of Brooklyn, Conn., will attend Virginia Tech to study pre-vet and animal science.
• Michael Wolf of Lebanon, Conn., attends the University of Connecticut, majoring in applied and resource economics. 

From the Enfield, Conn., office territory:

• Rebecca Syme of Broad Brook, Conn., will study sustainable plant and soil systems at the University of Connecticut.

From the Middleboro, Mass., office territory:

• Nicole Allen of Rochester, Mass., studies computer science at Southern New Hampshire University.

From the Presque Isle, Maine, office territory:

• Brendan Blackstone of Caribou, Maine, is studying agricultural science and agri-business at the University of Maine at Presque Isle.

From the St. Albans, Vt., office territory:

• Grace Moulton of Burlington, Vt., attends the University of Vermont and is studying animal science.

From the White River Junction, Vt., office territory:

• Serena Rathke of Alstead, N.H., will study agricultural business management at SUNY Cobleskill.
• Ryan M. Molloy of East Thetford, Vt., will be attending the University of Massachusetts Amherst to study turfgrass management.
• Calvin Thurber Gould of Brattleboro, Vt., will study animal science at the University of Vermont.

NEW JERSEY RECIPIENTS

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

• Skylar Cooper of Newport, N.J., will attend Cornell University and major in animal science.

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

• Teresa Buzzoni of Hillsborough, N.J., majors in international and public relations at Syracuse University.
• Elizabeth Wheelan of Washington, N.J., attends County College of Morris, studying turfgrass management.

NEW YORK RECIPIENTS

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

• Aydan Low of Avon, N.Y., will be attending SUNY Cobleskill to study animal science.
• Amelia Sidonio of Holley, N.Y., attends Cornell University and is studying agricultural business.

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

• Carson Schweinsberg of Brantingham, N.Y., is studying natural resources conservation and management at Paul Smith’s College.

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

• Caroline Lafferty of Schodack Landing, N.Y., attends Cornell University, majoring in animal science.
• Valerie Lewis of Medusa, N.Y., is studying agricultural business and agricultural education while attending SUNY Cobleskill.

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

• Kyle Barnes of DeRuyter, N.Y., attends Virginia Tech, majoring in dairy science.
• Jonas Meays of Holland Patent, N.Y., will study dairy management at SUNY Morrisville.
• Elizabeth Peila of Norwich, N.Y., attends Purdue University and is majoring in agricultural economics.

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

• Annika Donlick of Cortland, N.Y., is studying animal science at SUNY Cobleskill.
• Autumn Madugno of Deposit, N.Y., will attend SUNY Cobleskill to study animal science.

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

• Corrine Brown of Canandaigua, N.Y., is majoring in agricultural science and business management at Cornell University.
• James D. Rejman of Scipio Center, N.Y., is planning to study agricultural business at Michigan State University.

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

• Braxtyn Elliott of Cambridge, N.Y., is planning to attend Alfred State college to study agricultural business.
• Jonathan Lewis of Rexville, N.Y., attends SUNY Cobleskill and majors in agricultural engineering.

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

• Miranda Nickerson of Clymer, N.Y., plans to study animal science at Cornell University.

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

• Laura Cook of Owls Head, N.Y., will continue her graduate studies in sustainable agriculture and food science at Sam Houston State University.
• Amy Gokey of Malone, N.Y., studies agricultural business management at SUNY Cobleskill.
• Maureen Pierce of Heuvelton, N.Y., attends The Catholic University of America and majors in accounting.