Farm Credit Mid-America has selected 26 college students from Arkansas, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio and Tennessee to participate in its 2025 Scholars Program, an initiative designed to support and develop the next generation of leaders in agriculture and rural communities.
Now in its ninth year, the Farm Credit Mid-America Scholars Program provides rising college sophomores and juniors with $5,000 in financial support over a two-year period. In addition to scholarship funds, scholars participate in immersive, week-long learning and travel experiences that emphasize leadership development, financial education and community impact.
Students are selected for the program based on academic performance, leadership qualities, community involvement and a demonstrated passion for promoting and advancing agriculture. Eligible participants must be pursuing degrees in agriculture or fields related to supporting rural communities.
“All of our scholars have unique dreams and come from diverse farm and rural backgrounds,” said Dakota Everts, head of customer engagement at Farm Credit Mid-America. “What unites them is their desire to contribute to the success and sustainability of rural communities and the agriculture industry. We are proud to walk alongside them on that journey.”
Scholarship funds will be awarded by August 2025 for the fall academic semester.
The Farm Credit MidAmerica Scholars Program is one of many ways the cooperative invests in the future of agriculture. Over the past decade, Farm Credit Mid-America has awarded $1.78 million in scholarships and experiential learning experiences for students pursuing careers that help strengthen rural America.
In 2024 alone, Farm Credit Mid-America invested nearly $4.5 million in programs and partnerships aimed at creating a more sustainable and prosperous future for rural communities. Of that amount, $1.75 million directly supported youth, college students and young and beginning farmers.
The 2025 Scholars cohort includes:
Arkansas: Hadleigh Bell, Matthew Mullen, Jack Edwards, LaCandyce Lee
Indiana: Abby Fitzmorris, Alejandra Garavito, Kenny Yamauchi, Caleb Lechlitner, Casey Vole
Kentucky: Kat Watson, Cody Fulk, Kassidi Metcalf, Bailey Kington, Jordan Bennett
Ohio: Lydia Eilerman, Nikolas Harris, Makayla Spoerr
Tennessee: Ella Hasty, Tate Ondrik, Mary Anna Chester, Wyatt Harvey, Callie Hudson, Marissa Koschnick, Lukas Pharris, Delaney Turner, George William Wilson
For more information about Farm Credit Mid-America’s College Scholars program, visit: fcma.com/community/investments/scholarships.
