A total of $75,000 in scholarships was awarded to high school seniors pursuing agriculture-related majors and careers. Each of the 30 recipients received a $2,500 agriculture scholarship.

Scholarship selections are based on participation and leadership contributions within school and community organizations, a genuine passion for farming and/or agriculture, and a commitment to pursuing an agriculture-related career.

“Farm Credit Illinois celebrates the accomplishments and aspirations of these individuals who will become tomorrow’s agricultural leaders,” says Rod Stoll, FCI’s vice president of marketplace engagement.  “We are excited to see how they use their passion and skills as they continue their education to positively impact the future of agriculture and Rural America.”

The following students were selected to receive a 2024 Farm Credit agriculture scholarship:

Megan Baker of Trilla (Cumberland County) will graduate from Neoga High School and attend Southern Illinois University Carbondale to study Forest Hydrology. Megan’s parents are Andy and Christine Baker.

Jude Beers of Thompsonville (Williamson County) will graduate from Johnston City High School and attend Missouri University of Science and Technology to study Mechanical Engineering. Jude’s parents are Jerry and Kristy Beers.

Taylor Beisiegel of Belleville (St. Clair County) will graduate from Freeburg Community High School and attend University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign to study Agronomy & Plant Biotechnology. Taylor’s parents are Kent and Tonya Beisiegel.

Maggie Bland of Eldred (Greene County) will graduate from Carrollton High School and attend Lincoln Land Community College to study Agricultural Communications. Maggie’s parents are Steve and Julie Bland.

Jay Bliler of Taylorville (Christian County) will graduate from Taylorville High School and attend Lake Land College to study Agriculture. Jay’s parents are Nate and Elizabeth Bliler.

Joseph Dahmm of Beason (Logan County) will graduate from Lincoln Community High School and attend Lincoln Land Community College to study Agriculture. Joseph’s parents are Andrew and Joan Dahmm.

Courtney Davison of Carlyle (Clinton County) will graduate from Carlyle High School and attend Southeast Missouri State University to study Pre-veterinary Medicine. Courtney’s parents are Jason and Alison Davison.

Kaylee Gerlach of Waggoner (Montgomery County) will graduate from Lincolnwood Jr./Sr. High School and attend University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign to study Agricultural Communications. Kaylee’s parents are Eric and Angie Gerlach.

Raul Guerra of Arcola (Douglas County) will graduate from Arcola High School and attend Parkland College to study Construction Management. Raul’s parents are Raul and Nora Guerra.

Khloee Hall of Kane (Greene County) will graduate from Jersey Community High School and attend Lincoln Land College to study Agriculture. Khloee is the child of Kerry Hall.

Erica Kujawa of Ashley (Jefferson County) will graduate from Nashville Community High School and attend Murray State University to study Agribusiness and Management. Erica’s parents are David and Brenda Kujawa.

Dale Magelitz of Virden (Macoupin County) will graduate from North Mac High School and attend WyoTech to study Diesel Technology. Dale’s parents are JoAnna and Larry Magelitz.

Michael Matesa of Staunton (Madison County) will graduate from Staunton High School and attend Southern Illinois University Carbondale to study Agribusiness Economics. Michael’s parents are Chad and Julie Matesa.

Will Moody of Paris (Edgar County) will graduate from Paris High School and attend University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign to study Ag Business. Will’s parents are Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Moody.

Hunter Mowrey of Milford (Iroquois County) will graduate from Milford High School and attend Lincoln Land Community College to study Ag Business and Marketing. Hunter’s parents are Jon and Tracy Mowrey.

Trenton Payne of Olney (Richland County) will graduate from Richland County High School and attend Olney Central College to study Agricultural Engineering. Trenton’s parents are Shad and Diane Payne.

Emma Pistorius of Blue Mound (Macon County) will graduate from Meridian High School and attend Northern Oklahoma College to study Ag Business. Emma’s parents are Pete and Megan Pistorius.

Olivia Radke of Paris (Edgar County) will graduate from Chrisman High School and attend University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign to study Animal Science. Olivia’s parents are Kim James and Chris Radke.

Porter Schwantz of Lincoln (Logan County) will graduate from Lincoln Community High School and attend Lincoln Land Community College to study Animal Science. Porter’s parents are Herman and Sara Schwantz.

Caleb Seboldt of Fults (Monroe County) will graduate from Valmeyer High School and attend University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign to study Agricultural Education. Caleb’s parents are Mark and Brenda Seboldt.

Olivia Shike of Sadorus (Champaign County) will graduate from Unity High School with plans to study Ag Business and Policy. She has not yet made her college selection. Olivia’s parents are Dan and Jennifer Shike.

Grant Simmons of Forsyth (Macon County) will graduate from Maroa Forsyth High School and attend University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign to study Agricultural and Biological Engineering. Grant’s parents are Nathan and Gia Simmons.

Haiden Stocks of Decatur (Macon County) will graduate from Unity Christian High School and attend Northwestern College (IA) to study Ag Business. Haiden’s parents are Jerrold and Natalie Stocks.

Mara Turner of Mahomet (Champaign County) will graduate from Mahomet-Seymour High School and attend Lake Land College to study Agricultural Communications/Livestock Production. Mara’s parents are Andrew and Alice Turner.

Paris Van Dyke of Louisville (Clay County) will graduate from North Clay High School and attend Lake Land College to study Agricultural Communications. Paris’ parents are Jon and Katrina Van Dyke.

Aubrey Wagner of Onarga (Iroquois County) will graduate from Iroquois West High School and attend Iowa State University to study Animal Science. Aubrey’s parents are Calvin and Alicia Wagner.

Aly Williams of West Salem (Edwards County) will graduate from Edwards County High School and attend Lake Land College to study Ag Business. Aly’s parents are Cody and Derra Williams.

Delaney Williams of Olney (Richland County) will graduate from Richland County High School and attend Wabash Valley College to study Agriculture Business. Delaney’s parents are Brittania Kocher and Andrew Williams.

Kailyn Williams of Raleigh (Saline County) will graduate from Eldorado High School and attend Southeastern Illinois College to study Ag Business. Kailyn’s parents are Scott Payne and Amanda Payne.

Alejandro Zamora of Cobden (Union County) will graduate from Cobden High School and attend John A. Logan College to study Construction Management. Alejandro’s parents are Cipriano and Adriana Zamora.