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Ohio Farm Bureau Foundation recently awarded $147,500 in scholarships to students across the state. Annually, the foundation recognizes Ohio students for their academic effort, community engagement and career interests that link agriculture to community service, education or scientific research.

“Creating meaningful opportunities for the next generation of agriculture has been a major focus of our board, and scholarship support continues to be one of the most impactful investments we can make,” said Ohio Farm Bureau Foundation Board President Doug Miller. “Awarding $147,500 in scholarships this year reflects our commitment to supporting talented, hardworking young people who are dedicated to strengthening and growing Ohio agriculture. We are incredibly proud to help open doors for students whose passion, leadership and commitment will shape the future of our industry.”

Bill and Helen Swank Scholarship

Recipients of this scholarship are Alysa Pringle of Holmes County and Lydia Fuchs of Belmont County. Over the course of his 40-year career with Farm Bureau, Dr. C. William (Bill) Swank enriched countless lives in the farm and food community. This fund honors the legacies of Bill and his wife, Helen, with a scholarship for the next generation of agricultural leaders.

Bruce and Carlene Patterson Agricultural Scholarship

Recipients of this scholarship are Claire Phillip of Portage County, Riley Grace of Portage County and Harrison Blay of Portage County. This fund was established to provide scholarship support to deserving individuals in perpetuity, opening the door to education by removing the financial barriers that may keep someone from pursuing a career in agriculture or related fields and/or obtaining the training needed to grow their skills within the agricultural workforce.

Cindy Hollingshead Scholarship

Recipients of this scholarship are Carter Boyd of Highland County, Haven Hileman of Scioto County, Gracie Sprague of Ottawa County, Brandon Zuercher of Hancock County, Lydia Fuchs of Belmont County, Isabella Lucha of Huron County, Emma Bergbigler of Preble County and Wyatt Osborn of Highland County. This fund honors Cynthia Anne (Cindy) Hollingshead for her 39 years of service as Ohio Farm Bureau’s executive secretary, as well as a lifetime of volunteer commitment to local government and community service activities. Financial assistance goes to students who are pursuing careers focused on agriculture, community service and association leadership.

Darwin Bryan Scholarship

Recipients of this scholarship are Campbell Reese of Geauga County, Ruth Beery of Ross County and Haven Hileman of Scioto County. This fund was established in 1985 in honor of Darwin R. Bryan, whose enthusiastic leadership during his 37 years of service to Ohio Farm Bureau inspired rural youth throughout Ohio. The fund assists students who have been active in Farm Bureau’s youth program and/or whose parents are Farm Bureau members.

Dr. David A. Benfield Scholarship

The recipient of this scholarship is Scott Hook of Lorain County. The Dr. David A. Benfield Scholarship fund was established in 2019 by colleagues and friends of Dr. Benfield to honor his 17-year career as associate director of OARDC and associate vice president and director of the Wooster Campus in the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences and his passion for agricultural education and research. The scholarship is specifically for students in livestock and crop sciences at ATI.

David E. Mizer Memorial Scholarship

The recipient of this scholarship is Nora Jackson of Harrison County. Created in 2024, this fund recognizes students for work ethic, academic effort, civic engagement, and career interests that will contribute to the future of Ohio agriculture.

Jack Fisher Scholarship

Recipients of this scholarship are Campbell Reese of Geauga County, Darla Dorman of Licking County, Alaina Bell of Fairfield County, Colton Beckstedt of Perry County, Delaney Bell of Muskingum County, Kathryn Welsheimer of Clark County, Lydia Fuchs of Belmont County, Sydney Stirm of Crawford County, Carter Boyd of Highland County, Leah Herring of Wyandot County, Gracie Sprague of Ottawa County and Riley Burtchim of Wood County. This fund is named after John C. “Jack” Fisher, who served as Ohio Farm Bureau’s executive vice president for 20 years. His vision for this scholarship is to enable people to acquire the necessary tools for a more fulfilling life.

John Wallace and James Wallace Douglas Scholarship

The recipient of this scholarship is Sydney Morrison of Ashtabula County. This scholarship is set up in memory of John Wallace and James Wallace Douglas and provides support to deserving individuals, opening the door to education by removing the financial barriers that may keep someone from pursuing a career in agriculture or a related field.

Joseph Kelly Memorial Scholarship

Recipients of this scholarship are Callie Finnegan of Lorain County, Emma Lewis of Lorain County, Jillian Stannard of Lorain County, Kayla Linden of Lorain County and Meredith Wysocki of Lorain County. This scholarship was established in 2018 to honor the life of Joseph Kelly and to continue his legacy of generosity and service. The Joseph Kelly Memorial Scholarship is an annual, merit-based competition that focuses on rewarding students pursuing degrees related to agriculture.

Kenny Walter Scholarship Fund

Recipients of this scholarship are Campbell Reese of Geauga County and Braylie Burkey of Muskingum County. The fund provides scholarships to students pursuing post-secondary education in agriculture who come from the 29 northeastern counties where Walter served as an Ohio Farm Bureau regional supervisor and organization director.

Lou Ann Putnam Harrold Memorial Scholarship Fund

Recipients of this scholarship are Campbell Reese of Geauga County, Gracie Sprague of Ottawa County and Ruth Beery of Ross County. This fund was established in 2023 and provides scholarship support to deserving individuals in perpetuity, opening the door to education by removing the financial barriers that may keep someone from pursuing a career in agriculture or related fields and/or obtaining the training needed to grow their skill set within the agricultural workforce.

Mularcik Welding Scholarship

The recipient of this award is Michael Beeler of Montgomery County. This scholarship was established in 2023 by Brad Mularcik after he became aware of the skills gap in America and the need for more young people to enter the skilled trades, particularly welding. By offering this scholarship, he wishes to help young people seeking a career in welding.

Ohio Farm Bureau Ambassadors Scholarship

The recipient of this scholarship is Josie Jennings of Clark County. The Ohio Farm Bureau Ambassadors Scholarship is the foundation’s premier scholarship, honoring students who excel academically, serve their communities, and pursue careers that advance Ohio agriculture.

Ohio Farm Bureau Founders Scholarship

Recipients of this award are Anna Moeller of Butler County, Carrie Rhoades of Auglaize County, Carter Boyd of Highland County, Delaney Moore of Fairfield County, Emma Truance of Gallia County, Grace Kackley of Guernsey County, Gracie Sprague of Ottawa County, Haven Hileman of Scioto County, Henry Hoisington of Fairfield County, Kimberly Petty of Pickaway County, Leah Herring of Wyandot County, Luke Jennings of Clermont County, Lydia Fuchs of Belmont County, Milenka Moody of Trumbull County, Norah Homan of Auglaize County and Ruth Beery of Ross County. The Ohio Farm Bureau Founders Scholarship is one of the foundation’s leading scholarship opportunities. This scholarship recognizes students who excel academically, serve their communities and are committed to careers that advance Ohio agriculture.

The Ohio Horsemen’s Benevolent & Protective Association Scholarship

Recipients of this scholarship are Campbell Reese of Geauga County and Lydia Fuchs of Belmont County. The Ohio Horsemen’s Benevolent & Protective Association is a nonprofit trade association representing 2,500 thoroughbred owners and trainers who race at Ohio’s three commercial thoroughbred race tracks. The objective of the scholarship fund is to assist students who plan to pursue careers focusing on food or agriculture.

Richard and Carole Cocks Scholarship

Recipients of this scholarship are Campbell Reese of Geauga County, Sydney Stirm of Crawford County, Wyatt Morrow of Clinton County and Gracie Sprague of Ottawa County. This scholarship was established in 2020 by Richard Cocks, a chemical engineer who spent his career with Procter & Gamble. As he approached retirement, Mr. Cocks began investing in farmland. As he learned more about farming, it became apparent that today’s farmers have skills very similar to most engineers. This award recognizes students for academic effort, work ethic, community service, and career interests that enhance Ohio agriculture.

Yvonne Lesicko Memorial Scholarship

Recipients of this scholarship are Campbell Reese of Geauga County, Lydia Fuchs of Belmont County, Gracie Sprague of Ottawa County and Tristan Houin of Holmes County. This fund was established in honor of Yvonne Lesicko, Ohio Farm Bureau vice president of public policy, who passed away in 2020, to provide support for the next generation of student leaders. The income from this endowment will provide scholarship assistance in perpetuity to students majoring in agricultural and environmental policy or agriculture-related fields, such as food production, scientific research, education/outreach, policymaking, advocacy, or leadership development for women.

As the foundation continues to pave the way for future generations, there are opportunities to support its mission. Whether through donations, mentorship or simply spreading the word, every action taken helps to ensure a brighter future for agriculture and for Ohio.

The Ohio Farm Bureau Foundation, a 501(c)(3) charitable, nonprofit organization, understands the need to inspire innovation and cultivate investment in Ohio’s farm and food community. Learn more by visiting ofbf.org/foundation.

This is a news release for use by journalists. Questions should be directed to Ryan Matthews, 614-246-8210 or [email protected].