ILLINOIS AGRI-WOMEN ANNOUNCE 2025 SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS

The Illinois Agri-Women (IAW) has awarded four scholarships to women studying agriculture in 2025. IAW supports the agriculture industry, advocates for family farm legislation, collaborates with other agricultural organizations, and promotes public education and awareness.

The $1,500 IAW Helen Henert Agriculture Education Scholarship was awarded to Dana Merriman, an agriculture education major entering her senior year at Illinois State University in Bloomington-Normal. She will complete her undergraduate degree in 2026. Merriman writes, “Agricultural education is vital for the future of Illinois and the United States, where agriculture drives the economy through key exports like corn, soybeans, and livestock. By equipping students with skills for efficient and competitive farming, it shapes the next generation of leaders in farming, agribusiness, research, and policy, ensuring a robust agricultural future.”

Three $1,000 Women Changing the Face of Agriculture (WCFA) Agent of Change Scholarships were awarded to students who attended at least one WCFA career exploration event. The recipients include a high school senior, a college student, and a graduate student.

Two WCFA scholarships are memorial awards. The Phyllis Johnson Memorial Scholarship, funded by Penny Lauritzen, honors her mother, Phyllis Johnson. In 1951, Phyllis and LaVern Johnson took over his family’s farm, raising crops and livestock while supporting their six children’s education and activities in 4-H, FFA, and school organizations. Phyllis also ran a catering business, “Your Home and Ours,” pioneering the farm-to-table concept. This scholarship supports young women pursuing self-reliance and leadership in agriculture.

The Joan Loeb Memorial Scholarship, funded by Karen Westbrook, honors her mother, Joan Loeb. After purchasing a farm in 2001, Joan, a lifelong Chicago resident, developed a passion for farming processes, from soil fertility to harvest. She advocated for educating urban communities about agriculture’s complexities. Karen, an IAW board member and University of Illinois graduate, continues her mother’s legacy by supporting women in agriculture.

The 2025 WCFA Agent of Change Scholarship recipients are:

• Hannah Miller, daughter of Matt and Tammy Miller of Cabery, Illinois, received the $1,000 Phyllis Johnson Memorial Scholarship. She is majoring in agriculture business and animal science at Black Hawk College East. Miller states, “My National FFA Swine Production SAE project sparked my passion for agricultural business and genetics. By studying animal science with a focus on genetics, I aim to enhance sustainability in the pork industry and reduce its environmental impact.”
• Libby Larkin, a student at Western Illinois University from Pontiac, Illinois, received the $1,000 Joan Loeb Memorial Scholarship. She is majoring in agriculture business and agronomy, with a focus on precision agriculture technology. Larkin writes, “After earning my bachelor’s at WIU, I aim to promote precision agriculture and agronomy to optimize production and sustainability. I also plan to inspire young women to engage in 4-H, FFA, and Farm Bureau, strengthening rural agricultural communities.”
• Emma Ennis, a graduate student at Southern Illinois University from Charleston, Illinois, received a $1,000 scholarship. After earning her bachelor’s in Agriculture Education and Leadership from Lake Land Community College and SIU, she is pursuing a master’s in the same field. Ennis states, “This scholarship will support my pursuit of a master’s degree, enabling me to collaborate with local community colleges to develop dual-credit agriculture programs.”

To learn more about scholarships, visit https://womenchangingthefaceofagriculture.com/scholarships or https://www.illinoisagriwomen.org.