Six students looking to study everything from agronomy and crop science to environmental engineering have earned a $2,500 scholarship, plus a donation to the charity of their choosing, through the Accelerating a Generation Syngenta Scholarship Program.
A talented crop of students applied to the 2021 scholarship program, in a partnership with Syngenta and run by the National FFA Organization (FFA).
“It is essential for students to feel supported in agriculture because it is vital for the industry to train the next generation of agricultural leaders,” Pam Caraway, communications lead for Syngenta said of the scholarship.
They also individually selected an agriculture-related non-profit organization, each of which will be receiving a $500 gift.
The selected winners and their designated charities include:
- Breanna Chavez from Gilmer, Texas; a student at Texas A&M University – Texas FFA Foundation
- Madison Hargarten from Winchester, Indiana; a student at Purdue University – Winchester Community Garden
- Leah Hudson from Topeka, Kansas; a student at Kansas State University – Kansas 4-H
- LeAnne Pace from Mount Hope, Alabama; a student at Auburn University – Lawrence County Alabama Cattlemen’s Association
- Leslie Webb from Greenwood, Delaware; a student at the University of Delaware – Delaware 4-H Foundation
- Elise Wilkins from Tekoa, Washington; a student at Montana State University – Second Chance Ranch of Spokane
Chavez, who will be the first in her family to attend college, said she was honored to receive this scholarship as she pursues a degree in nutrition from Texas A&M University.
“This scholarship means the opportunity to attend college as a first-generation college student,” Chavez said. “It is a real self-esteem booster to know that an organization on the national level believes in me."
Hargarten said she is happy to pursue her passion for agriculture with a scholarship that will help “relieve financial stress” while she heads to Purdue University.
“I am so very passionate about agriculture and love being immersed in it whether that is just being outside, being in the barn or mentoring younger kids,” Hargarten said.
For more information about Syngenta, visit www.syngenta.com. Join the conversation online – connect with us at social.SyngentaUS.com. Those looking to apply for the scholarship for 2022 can visit the FFA Scholarship portal. Applications open in October.