Greensboro, North Carolina, USA
August 17, 2022
Six students studying agriculture will receive a $2,500 award, plus a $500 donation to the charity of their choice.
Six students recently received 2022 Accelerating a Generation Syngenta Scholarships. These students, who are acquiring degrees focused on agricultural pursuits, will each receive a $2,500 scholarship.
A talented group of students applied for the 2022 scholarship program, which is a partnership between Syngenta and the National FFA Organization (FFA).
“These students give us confidence that the agricultural industry will continue to enjoy strong leadership,” says Pam Caraway, communications lead for Syngenta.
As part of their award packages, the scholars individually selected agriculture-related nonprofit organizations to receive $500 gifts on their behalf.
The selected winners and their designated charities are:
- Taylor Baggett from Jay, Florida, a sophomore at the University of Florida ― Farm Aid
- Regan Draeger from Lindsey, Ohio, a senior at The Ohio State University ― The Roper's 4-H Club
- Luke Heupel from Kalispell, Montana, a sophomore at Montana State University ― Field of Hope
- Johanna Hooten from Red Bud, Illinois, a senior at Murray State University ― The Arboretum at Murray State University
- Deziree Lee from Coffeyville, Kansas, a freshman at Kansas State University ― Montgomery County 4-H Fair
- Ashlyn Persyn from Hondo, Texas, a freshman at Texas A & M University ― Medina Valley FFA Boosters
Hooten, a first-generation college student majoring in horticulture, says agricultural scholarships like this are “a true blessing” because they are helping her remain debt-free while she pursues her degree.
“I continue to study agriculture because it truly is my passion,” she says. “I have always been fascinated by specialty crops such as pumpkins and watermelons, so I decided to get a degree in horticulture. It brings me great joy to teach others about the agriculture industry, and I know that the only way to give others reliable information is to learn it first myself. That is why I felt it was important to continue my education in an agriculture-specific major after high school.”
Likewise, Heupel sees agriculture as a way to help better the planet and its people.
“The world’s population is increasing, and its amount of usable farmland is decreasing,” he says. “Things need to be done to ensure that farmers will be able to feed the world. I believe that a degree in agriculture will allow me to do my part in helping to feed the world.”
The recipients say they also appreciate the opportunity to give back to their community as well with the $500 gift that comes along with the scholarship. Hooten will give back to her university’s arboretum, while Heupel will donate to Field of Hope, a charity that works with developing countries to increase their agricultural stability.
Draeger says she is happy to help the 4-H club that she has been a member of since age 11.
“This club provided me with opportunities to become involved in my community and develop essential life skills,” Draeger says. “These 4-H members are invested in their community, and this donation will allow them to continue serving their community to the best of their ability. It will enable these members to continue developing as the future generation of agriculturalists.”
Those interested in applying for the scholarship for 2023 can visit the FFA Scholarship portal. Applications open in November.
For more information about Syngenta, visit www.Syngenta.com. Join the conversation online ― connect with us at Syngenta-US.com/Social.
About Syngenta
Syngenta Crop Protection and Syngenta Seeds are part of Syngenta Group, one of the world’s leading agriculture companies. Our ambition is to help safely feed the world while taking care of the planet. We aim to improve the sustainability, quality and safety of agriculture with world- class science and innovative crop solutions. Our technologies enable millions of farmers around the world to make better use of limited agricultural resources.
The content of this release is for information purposes only. This release is not, and should not be construed as, an offer to sell or issue or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities or other property interests.
To learn more, visit www.syngenta.com and www.goodgrowthplan.com. Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/Syngenta, www.twitter.com/SyngentaUS and on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/company/syngenta.
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