Peoria County Farm Bureau Foundation Scholarships
The Peoria County Farm Bureau Foundation sponsors one-year scholarships to students planning to study agriculture and related fields.
The scholarships are awarded to students residing in Peoria County that have been accepted or are currently enrolled in a trade school, Community College, Four-Year University, or Graduated School. Students are judged on participation in agricultural events, 4-H, and interest in agriculture.
A student can receive a scholarship from the Peoria County Farm Bureau Foundation only one time.
2024 Scholarship Recipients
Sadie Bays
Sadie Bays is the daughter of Robert and Tiffany Bays. She is a graduate of Princeville High School, and her intended major is Agronomy and Ag Business. Sadie states “My career goals include graduating from Iowa State with a bachelor’s in agriculture studies and working for a company with I enjoy. I would love to have the opportunity to work with others and meet with farmers to sell seed and ensure that are getting the best seed on the right acre to increase yield and disease resistance.”
Noah Lee
Noah Lee is the son of Stephen and Laura Lee. He graduated from Dunlap High School and plans to pursue a major in Poultry Science. Noah states “My goal after graduating college with a bachelor’s degree in Poultry Science is to work for a poultry integrator in some production role, such as working at a feed mill, hatchery, or processing plant. Eventually, after saving up enough money, I want to buy my own broiler farm and grow cattle as well. As someone working in poultry production and hopefully later farming, I could help feed the constantly growing world a nutritious product, while at the same time helping fund the local economy.”
Alanna Magstadt
Alanna Magstadt is the daughter of Chad and Jody Magstadt. Alanna is a graduate of Limestone Community High School in Bartonville and has plans to study General Engineering in college. Alanna states “The agriculture industry is always allowing more room to innovate and create new ways to go about things. The limits of agriculture seem endless, and it never seems like this field is top priority. Agriculture needs more attention.”
Brinae Rice
Brinae Rice is the daughter of Nathanial and Summer Rice. She is a graduate of Princeville High School and is interested in Ag Rural Policy Studies in college. Brinae has held leadership roles in FFA serving as Chapter President, Section VP, and Section President and ranks 1st in her class. Brinae states “My career goals are to hold a job in which I get to advocate for agriculture. During a recent visit to the Illinois State Capitol for Ag Legislative Day, I met with Lobbyists and talked to them about their careers. After that interaction, I would love to work as a Lobbyist for agriculture.”
Mitchell Scherler
Mitchell Scherler is the son of Ty and Tina Scherler. Mitchell is a graduate of Brimfield High School and will pursue a degree in Ag Finance/Marketing. In FFA, Mitchell has served as Chapter President and Section Secretary. Mitchell states “I hope to start my career working either for a farm/agriculture financer, and then later start my own financing corporation. Getting into real estate is another ambition of mine. I’ve always looked forward to designing my own house.”
Ashlyn Slayton (not pictured)
Ashlyn Slayton is the daughter of Scott and Jennifer Slayton. She is a graduate of Farmington High School and in college plans to major in Special Education and minor in Agriculture Education. Ashlyn was a member of 4-H for nine years and FFA all four years serving as President in 4-H. Ashlyn states “My biggest career goal is to introduce agriculture to live skill students. In my experience, many life skills students don’t know much about agriculture, and I hope to solve that by creating Unified Ag Classes. In these classes, both general education and special education students would do a variety of different hands-on work to help expand their knowledge of the many factors of agriculture.”
Lauren Trees
Lauren Trees is the daughter of Nick and Kelly Trees. She is a graduate of Princeville High School and will pursue a degree in Agriculture Education. Lauren states “Some career goals of mine are currently to attend and excel in college to obtain my degree and certification. Throughout this time, I will learn as much as I can about the Ag Industry. After I graduate, I plan to find a school for me to excel in, inspiring students, as I was in high school.”
Other Scholarship Opportunities
University of Illinois Agriculture Scholarships
Bennie L Johnson Scholarship: One $1000 scholarship awarded to a College of ACES student from Peoria or Knox Counties, with a preference given to a student active in the 4-H program. Funding in memory of Bennie Johnson, a lifelong farmer in Peoria and Knox County, who was an active 4-H Club leader and University of Illinois Extension member.
Gordon E. and Doris L. Thompson Scholarship: One or more scholarships of varying amounts to College of ACES students from Knox or Peoria Counties, with preference given to graduates of Knoxville or Elmwood High Schools. Funds provided by Gordon Thompson, a 1941 graduate of the College of Agriculture, and his wife, Lee, a graduate of Millikin University.
Compeer Financial Scholarships
Compeer Financial believes in a strong future for agriculture and rural America. Compeer Financial’s High School Senior Scholarship Program awards $1,500 scholarships to students based on a combination of academic achievement, agricultural and community youth organization involvement and essay.
State of Illinois Agriculture Scholarships
The office of the Illinois State Treasurer offers ten $2,500 Scholarships through the Excellence in Agriculture Scholarship Program to Illinois High School Seniors. The scholarships are funded through the Bright Start College Savings Program, which is a tax-exempt 529 college savings plan administered by the Treasurer’s Office.
Eligible students must: have a minimum 2.75 grade point average, have already been accepted to an accredited higher education institution in Illinois by May 15, and plan to pursue an agriculture-related major.
Students must also submit a completed application, which is available at schools, farm bureaus or the offices of local state legislators. You can also find an application on the Treasurer’s website www.treasurer.il.gov or call 217-557-6436.
National FFA Collegiate Scholarship Program
Each year the National FFA Organization awards more than $2 million in scholarships to members. Scholarships are given for a wide variety of experiences, career goals, and higher education plans. Grades are important, but the FFA combination takes into account the whole you. Your community service. Your FFA involvement. Your leadership skills. Your SAE. Talk with your FFA advisor and apply now. Go to the National FFA organization website for more information and an application. Application deadline is February 15.
Balloon Association of Greater Illinois
The Balloon Association of Greater Illinois (BAGI) has established $500 scholarships as part of the Landowner Relations Program within the club. Members wanted to thank the farming community for allowing balloons to launch from or land on their property and to encourage and support young people who have chosen agriculture as their vocation. The program has been a good partnership between the farming community and balloonists. Past recipients’ areas of interest include veterinary medicine, agronomy, agribusiness, and agricultural engineering. To access the eligibility requirements or application go to http://www.bagiballoon.org/ or call the Vermillion County Farm Bureau at (217) 442-8713 or Larry Owens at (217) 304-0827.