Apply Today! Applications will be available February 1.
Helen Henert
Agricultural Education Scholarship
Hannah Hockerman
Hannah Hockerman, an agriculture education major who will be finishing her undergraduate degree in the next year. Hockerman will be a senior at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale this year finishing her degree in agriculture education.
Hockerman writes “Agriculture education is crucial to prepare students for life after school. From resume building and job skills to hands-on opportunities and career readiness, agriculture education helps prepare students. When students graduate, they will use the experiences, gained knowledge, and life skills to be productive citizens in the community.”
WCFA Scholarships
The Women Changing the Face of Agriculture (WCFA) conference, a project of the Illinois Agri-Women, takes place each spring to encourage young women to interact with women in agriculture, learn more about careers in the industry, and network with agricultural leaders from across the country.
This year, four WCFA Agent of Change $1,000 scholarships are awarded to college students who aspire to make a difference through their careers in the agricultural industry in science, technology, engineering and math.
Two WCFA Agent of Change Scholarships this year are provided as memorial scholarships. The first, the Phyllis Johnson Memorial Scholarship is provided by a daughter of the Johnsons, Penny Lauritzen. The second memorial scholarship, the Joan Loeb Memorial Scholarship, provided by a daughter of the Loebs, Karen Westbrook, is also an interesting story.
The 2024 recipients are as follows:
Haley Carlton
Haley Carlton will receive the $1000 Phyllis Johnson Memorial Scholarship. She is the daughter of Duane and Angela Carlton of Georgetown, Illinois. Carlton is majoring in forestry at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale.
Paige Horstmeyer
Paige Horstmeyer, Lincoln Land Community College, is recipient of the $1000 Joan Loeb Memorial Scholarship. Her parents are Scott and Christine Horstmeyer, hailing from Staunton, Illinois. Horstmeyer’s future plans are to study in the ag transfer program toward agriculture education with the intention of becoming an agriculture literacy coordinator for Illinois Ag in the Classroom.
Ava splear
Ava Splear, University of Illinois, Champaign will also receive a $1000 scholarship. Splear originates from Waterman, Illinois and is the daughter of Deanne and Ryan Frieders. Her course study is Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communications with minors in Public Relations and, Food and Agribusiness Management.
Sarah Stevens
Sarah Stevens, Illinois State University, the daughter of Scott and Missy Stevens from Hannah City, Illinois, will also receive $1000. She completed her degree at Illinois Central College and Illinois State University receiving her Bachelors in Horticulture and Landscape Management. Continuing at Illinois State University, Stevens is pursuing a Master’s degree in Agribusiness.
