Understanding your cattle brings benefits
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Geauga County Farm Bureau would like to honor its 2024 scholarship recipients.
Brittany Adams is the daughter of Tina and Mark Adams of Chardon. She receives a $1,000 scholarship. She is a 2021 graduate of Chardon High School and currently attends Akron University where she majors in nursing. While at Lakeland Community College, Brittany was a member of Phi Theta Kappa honor society and has made the dean’s list five semesters in a row. Brittany has been active in her community for many years and most recently planned and executed a “Prince and Princess for A Day” program at the fair. Brittany is active in Farm Bureau and is a trustee on the county board. Brittany loves inspiring youth to get involved with agriculture.
Garrett Hastings is the son of Lad and Brenda Hastings of Chardon and receives a $1,000 scholarship. He is a 2021 graduate of Berkshire High School and is currently attending The Ohio State University, majoring in animal sciences. Garrett has been active in the Buckeye Dairy Club and was recently accepted to the OSU Veterinary Early Commitment Program, where he will pursue a career as a food animal veterinarian.
Rachel O’Reilly is the daughter of Amy and Kevin O’Reilly of Middlefield, and receives a $1,000 scholarship. She is a 2022 graduate of Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin and is currently attending The Ohio State University, majoring in agribusiness and applied economics. Rachel has been active in the Agribusiness Club, Saddle and Sirloin Club, Agriculture Systems Management Club, and is a College of Food Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences Living Learning Community member. Rachel volunteers with Farm Bureau at the county fair and has served as a Young Ag representative at Ag Day at the Capital. Rachel hopes to use her education to manage her family farm and wants to raise her own herd of commercial/show cattle.
Michael Soltis is the son of Monique and Michael Soltis of Middlefield and receives a $500 scholarship. He graduated from Cardinal High School in 2022 and is attending Wilmington College, majoring in agribusiness/business administration. He is on the Wilmington College track and field team, as well as part of Wilmington College Aggies Collegiate 4-H, Farmhouse fraternity, and is a Delta Tau Alpha National Agricultural Honors Society member. Michael is exploring the world of agriculture and learning the industry while pursuing his degree, with the end goal of taking over his family farm and making it his own.
Dennis Bergansky is the son of Kathleen and Dennis Bergansky of Chagrin Falls. He is the recipient of a $300 scholarship. He is a 2021 graduate of Kenston High School and is currently attending Kent State University majoring in early childhood education. He has been involved in 4-H for the past 12 years, volunteered for Geauga Hunger Task Force, nursing homes, and food drives. He also has helped out with sports camps at Kenston. Dennis hopes to use his education to inspire others as he teaches students about STEM and agriculture.
Samantha Bergansky is the daughter of Kathleen and Dennis Bergansky of Chagrin Falls. She is the recipient of a $300 scholarship. She is a 2023 graduate of Kenston High School. She is attending Duquesne University, majoring in health science and pursuing a doctorate in physical therapy. Samantha has been very active in the community. Samantha served as a Lead Crew Member of the Bomber Bash leadership program, serves as a member of the Geauga County Hunger Task Force Junior Board, and was an active member in 4-H. Samantha served on the Junior Fair Board, and Junior Leaders and was the 2022 Geauga County Junior Fair Queen. She is involved with Alpha Sigma Tau. Samantha’s dream is to get a doctorate degree in physical therapy and to help those injured in agricultural activities.
Jack Hastings is the son of Lad and Brenda Hastings of Chardon and receives a $300 scholarship. He is a 2024 graduate of Berkshire High School and plans to attend The Ohio State University, majoring in agriculture systems management. Jack has been a 4-H member for 10 years and has been involved with the Ohio Junior Holstein Association. He hopes to use his education to work within the agriculture industry.
Erika Katchmar is the daughter of Cheryl Beinhardt of Windsor and receives a $300 scholarship. She is a 2024 graduate of Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin and plans to attend The Ohio State University Agricultural Technical Institute, majoring in animal science. She has been helping her neighbors with lawn care and house cleaning in addition to working at Pleasant Animal Hospital anywhere she is needed. Erika is pursuing an animal sciences degree to become a veterinarian so she can help take care of the animals in her community.
Jessica Lesner is the daughter of Lis and Thomas Lesner of Auburn Township, and receives a $300 scholarship. She is a 2023 graduate of Kenston High School and is currently attending the University of Cincinnati, majoring in public relations. She is actively a member of the Epsilon Chapter of Theta Phi Alpha Fraternity as well as holding the Bid Day Planning Chair and being a volunteer at Rohs Street Cafe as a cafe assistant. Jessica was involved in 4-H and Junior Fairboard. Jessica hopes to use her degree to promote sustainable practices, address misconceptions, and strengthen agriculture.
Congratulations Brittany, Garrett, Rachel, Michael, Dennis, Samantha, Jack, Erika, and Jessica! We wish you the best of luck in your future endeavors!
My first recommendation in your journey is to start out with a local farming friend or mentor along with joining an organization like Ohio Farm Bureau.
We’re just so thankful for the Farm Bureau and the foundation for helping put this together. And of course, the Boyert family for the vision they had with this grant. It’s jumping us forward 10 years. It’s unbelievable.
I could not have done it without the resources I have found through Farm Bureau.
It wasn’t until I joined the Wilmington College Collegiate Farm Bureau that I truly saw how my passion could translate into leadership, advocacy and a career.
The issue of property taxation remains as one of the biggest challenges our members face today. Ensuring agricultural property is valued for its agricultural potential and not development is critical to the continued success of Ohio agriculture.
Through the Select Partner program, we became educated in farm insurance and weren't just selling policies. It became more and more clear why farmers need an advocate like Ohio Farm Bureau.
So many of the issues that OFBF and its members are advocating for are important to all Ohioans. I look at OFBF as an agricultural watchdog advocating for farmers and rural communities across Ohio.
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