Please join Lorain County Farm Bureau in congratulating each of these hard working individuals on their scholarship awards. Each applicant went through a committee-reviewed application process, and we are proud to announce there are NINE winners this year: two for the General Scholarship, three for the Ag Related Scholarship, two for the Al DiVencenzo Memorial Scholarship, and two for the Continuing Education Scholarship. 

General Recipients

Lauren Amato
Lauren Amato
Lydia Schlechter
Lydia Schlechter

Lauren Amato is a 2025 Magnificat High School graduate who will be attending the College of Wooster in the fall, pursuing a degree in communications and English. Amato has been awarded $500 from Lorain County Farm Bureau for her college education.

Lydia Schlechter is a 2025 Firelands High School graduate who will be attending The Ohio State University in Mansfield this fall, pursuing a degree in biochemistry. Schlechter has been awarded $500 from Lorain County Farm Bureau for her college education.

Ag Related Recipients

Adele Dowdell
Adele Dowdell
Kyleigh Klingshirn
Kyleigh Klingshirn
Nathan Sword
Nathan Sword

Adele Dowdell is a 2025 Saint Paul High School graduate who will be attending the University of Findlay in the fall, pursuing a degree in animal science on the pre-veterinary track. Dowdell has been awarded $500 from Lorain County Farm Bureau for her college education.

Kyleigh Klingshirn is a 2025 Firelands High School graduate who will be attending The Ohio State University – Agricultural Technical Institute in Wooster in the fall, pursuing a degree in animal industries with a beef specialization and agribusiness. Klingshirn has been awarded $500 from Lorain County Farm Bureau for her college education.

Nathan Sword is a 2025 Wellington High School graduate who will be attending The Ohio State University – Agricultural Technical Institute in Wooster this fall, pursuing a degree in crop management and soil conservation. Sword has been awarded $500 from Lorain County Farm Bureau for his college education.

Al DiVencenzo Memorial Recipients

Scott Hook
Scott Hook
Joel Pollen
Joel Polen

Scott Hook is a 2024 Wellington High School graduate who is currently attending The Ohio State University – Agricultural Technical Institute pursuing a degree in agricultural systems management. Hook has been awarded $500 from Lorain County Farm Bureau for his college education.

Joel Polen is a 2023 Firelands High School graduate who is currently attending The Ohio State University pursuing a degree in agribusiness with a minor in agronomy. Polen has been awarded $500 from Lorain County Farm Bureau for his college education.

Continuing Education Recipients

Natalie Calfo
Natalie Calfo
Jillian Stannard
Jillian Stannard

Natalie Calfo is a 2022 Wellington High School graduate who is currently attending the University of Akron pursuing a degree in biomedical science on the pre-veterinary track. Calfo has been awarded $500 from Lorain County Farm Bureau for her college education.

Jillian Stannard is a 2024 Wellington High School graduate who is currently attending The Ohio State University – Agricultural Technical Institute pursuing a degree in agronomy and agribusiness. Stannard has been awarded $500 from Lorain County Farm Bureau for her college education.

Farm Bureau connections
To grow a network and gain perspective and knowledge in the industry through personal and professional development has been invaluable. Every day I learn and grow.
Ryanna Tietje's avatar
Ryanna Tietje

Henry County Farm Bureau

Farm Bureau connections
Giving farmers a voice
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.
Matt Aultman's avatar
Matt Aultman

Darke County Farm Bureau

Giving farmers a voice
10-year campaign for safer roads
Farm Bureau is what really got the word out. It’s been one of their goals to get this done.
Bill and Charlotte Wachtman's avatar
Bill and Charlotte Wachtman

Henry County

10-year campaign for safer roads
Bringing the farm back to life
I could not have done it without the resources I have found through Farm Bureau.
Gretchan Francis's avatar
Gretchan Francis

Trumbull County Farm Bureau

Bringing the farm back to life
Farm Bureau involvement
Because we are younger farmers just starting out, Farm Bureau has a lot of good opportunities and resources to help us grow in the future.
Hannah Kiser's avatar
Hannah Kiser

Sandusky County Farm Bureau

Farm Bureau involvement
Select Partner Program
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.
Chad Ruhl's avatar
Chad Ruhl

Farm manager, CSI Insurance

Select Partner Program
Advocacy
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.
Mary Smallsreed's avatar
Mary Smallsreed

Trumbull County Farm Bureau

Advocacy
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