Farm Credit Illinois named 29 high school seniors as agriculture scholarship recipients in central and southern Illinois.

A total of $58,000 in scholarships was awarded to high school seniors pursuing agriculture-related majors and careers. Each of the 29 recipients received a $2,000 agriculture scholarship.

Scholarship selections are based on a combination of academic achievement, participation and leadership in school and community organizations, and the applicant’s commitment to an agricultural career.

“Farm Credit Illinois scholars represent tomorrow’s agricultural leaders,” says Rod Stoll, vice president of marketplace engagement for FCI. “Investing in their education today – on behalf of our cooperative members – will help positively shape the future of the industry and Rural America.”

The following students were selected to receive a 2021 Farm Credit agriculture scholarship:

Rachel Ash of Onarga (Iroquois County) will graduate from Iroquois West High School and enroll in the Parkland Pathways program before transferring to the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign to study agricultural communications. Rachel’s parents are Joe and Katie Ash.

Sophia Biehl of Belleville (St. Clair County) will graduate from Freeburg Community High School and attend Southern Illinois University Carbondale to study agricultural education. Sophia’s parents are Robert and Jill Biehl.

Abigail Bolen of Farmer City (DeWitt County) will graduate from Blue Ridge High School and attend Southern Illinois University Carbondale to study forestry. Abigail’s parents are Emily and Jim Weiler and Ken and Carissa Bolen.

Katheranne Bond of Galatia (Saline County) will graduate from Galatia High School and attend Lake Land College to study animal science technology. Katheranne’s parents are Jim Bond and Micki Pritchett.

Donovan Chester of Tuscola (Douglas County) will graduate from Tuscola High School and attend the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign to study agricultural communications. Donovan’s parents are Deon and Katrina Chester.

Seth Clark of Macedonia (Franklin County) will graduate from Thompsonville High School and attend Murray State University to study pre-veterinary medicine. Seth’s parents are Dennis and Becky Clark.

Caden Cockburn of Johnston City (Williamson County) will graduate from Johnston City High School and attend Southern Illinois University Carbondale to study animal science. Caden’s parents are Travis and Channa Cockburn.

Melia Eskew of Ashmore (Coles County) will graduate from Kansas High School and attend Eastern Illinois University to study accounting and finance. Melia’s parents are Mark and Angela Eskew.

Jordyn Gerlach of Waggoner (Montgomery County) will graduate from Lincolnwood High School and attend the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign to study animal sciences. Jordyn’s parents are Eric and Angie Gerlach.

Charles Gum of Tallula (Menard County) will graduate from PORTA High School and attend Lincoln Land Community College to study agri-business management. Charles’ parents are Randy and Jennifer Gum.

Meghan Hadden of Jacksonville (Morgan County) will graduate from Jacksonville High School and attend Lincoln Land Community College to study agricultural education. Meghan’s parents are Gary and Lisa Hadden.

Addison Hortin of Decatur (Macon County) will graduate from Warrensburg-Latham High School and attend Wabash Valley College to study agriculture. Addison’s parents are Mike and Karyn Hortin.

Luke Hubbert of Winchester (Scott County) will graduate from Winchester High School and attend John Wood Community College to study agronomy management. Luke’s parents are Matt and Jen Hubbert.

Anthony Joiner of Carlinville (Macoupin County) will graduate from Carlinville High School and attend Lincoln Land Community College to study agri-business management. Anthony’s parents are Vicki and Greg Joiner II.

Shana Lueking of Centralia (Clinton County) will graduate from Christ Our Rock Lutheran High School and attend Murray State University to study agriscience technology, with a focus on communications and public relations. Shana’s parents are Doug and Sheila Lueking.

Kate Miller of Macedonia (Hamilton County) will graduate from Hamilton County High School and attend the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign to study agricultural and consumer economics, agribusiness markets and management. Kate’s parents are Lisa and Mark Miller.

Tyler Miller of Atlanta (Logan County) will graduate from Olympia High School and attend Lake Land College to study pre-veterinary medicine. Tyler’s parents are Tara Miller and Jason Miller.

Alexis Mudd of Red Bud (Monroe County) will graduate from Waterloo High School and attend Southeast Missouri State University to study agricultural education and agribusiness management. Alexis’ parents are Scott and Liz Mudd.

Isabella Murphy of Farmersville (Montgomery County) will graduate from Sacred Heart-Griffin High School and attend the University of Missouri to study animal sciences. Isabella’s parents are Courtney and Molly Murphy.

Hayley Pitts of Olney (Richland County) will graduate from Richland County High School and attend Lake Land College to study pre-veterinary medicine. Hayley’s parents are Brent and Sheri Pitts.

Molly Reed of Shipman (Macoupin County) will graduate from Southwestern High School and attend Western Illinois University to study agricultural business. Molly’s parents are Anthony and Kimberly Reed.

Grace Rincker of Strasburg (Shelby County) will graduate from Stewardson-Strasburg High School and attend Lake Land College as an agricultural transfer. Grace’s parents are Doug and Marla Rincker.

Jennifer Rudolphi of Olney (Richland County) will graduate from Richland County High School and attend Wabash Valley College to study agricultural technology business. Jennifer’s parents are Mark and Maria Rudolphi.

Jaton Shaffer of Farmer City (DeWitt County) will graduate from Blue Ridge High School and attend the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign to study agricultural and consumer economics. Jaton’s parents are Dyke and Kendra Shaffer.

Randy Shook of Dewey (Champaign County) will graduate from Fisher High School and enroll in the Parkland Pathways program before transferring to the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign to study agricultural and consumer economics. Randy’s parents are Randy and Kristi Shook.

Taylor Talbert of Onarga (Iroquois County) will graduate from Iroquois West High School and attend the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign to study agricultural communications with a focus in advertising. Taylor’s parents are Timothy and Anna Talbert.

Maggie Uphoff of Mattoon (Coles County) will graduate from Mattoon High School and attend the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign to study food science and human nutrition. Maggie’s parents are Bill and Kim Uphoff.

Patrick Wiemers of Alton (Madison County) will graduate from Marquette Catholic High School and attend the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign to study agricultural and consumer economics. Patrick’s parents are Matt and Beth Wiemers.

Ali Willenborg of Vandalia (Fayette County) will graduate from Vandalia Community High School and attend Murray State University to study agribusiness economics. Ali’s parents are Robert and Amy Willenborg.

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 Farm Credit Illinois (FCI) is a farmer-owned and directed agricultural cooperative serving 16,000 farmer, rural landowner, and agribusiness voting stockholder members in the southern 60 counties of Illinois. Dedicated to Helping Farm Families Succeed, FCI provides competitive and flexible financing, crop insurance expertise, and Rural 1^st® country life lending. FCI manages a $4.8 billion loan portfolio, sells 1.4 million acres of crop insurance coverage, and employs 244 staff based in the Mahomet headquarters and 14 regional office locations. The Association delivers additional cooperative value by returning $40 million of 2020 earnings as cash patronage to member-owners in 2021. The U.S. Farm Credit System supports rural communities, farm families, and agriculture with reliable, consistent credit and financial services today and tomorrow.