California Farm Bureau awards more than $250,000 in scholarships to support future agricultural leaders

California Farm Bureau awards more than $250,000 in scholarships to support future agricultural leaders

California Farm Bureau awards more than $250,000 in scholarships to support future agricultural leaders

Forty-six students pursuing careers in farming, ranching or other agricultural professions have been awarded a combined $251,250 in scholarships from the California Farm Bureau Scholarship Foundation.

The scholarships are awarded annually based on students’ academic achievements, leadership skills, career goals, extracurricular activities and other factors, with the goal of supporting the next generation of agricultural leaders.

“Our agricultural future depends on young people who are passionate about farming, ranching and contributing to rural communities,” said California Farm Bureau President Shannon Douglass. “We are proud to invest in these students who will help ensure the strength and sustainability of California agriculture for generations to come.”

Two students from Lassen County earned the Curt and Joan Moran Scholarship, presented to students pursuing higher education in agriculture or attending technical school to learn a related trade such as welding or diesel mechanics. Katelyn Kirack of Susanville received a $2,500 scholarship. Tyler DeiRossi Wood of Standish was awarded a $1,250 scholarship.

In addition, Elizabeth Quintero-Rubio of Dinuba received a $1,500 scholarship as the recipient of the Carolyn S. Richardson Memorial Award. She plans to earn a degree in agricultural communications from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo and later attend law school to specialize in agricultural law. The scholarship honors a late California Farm Bureau staff member who advocated for farmers on environmental issues.

The Rustici Livestock and Rangeland Scholarship Award was presented to 43 students pursuing careers in beef or sheep ranching, range management or related fields. Recipients earned scholarships of $3,000 or $6,000 to support their educational goals and help sustain California’s livestock and rangeland industries.

Rustici scholarship recipients are: Gabriel Abundis, Eureka; Jesse Alves, Half Moon Bay; Paige Beard, Prather; Kassidy Bianchi, Petaluma; Taylor Bigelow, O’Neals; Alexavier Carrillo, Perris; Madysson Cervelli, Yreka; Shelby Criner, Canby; Abby Donovan, Newcastle; Grant Downs, Bakersfield; Grace Elliott, Wasco; Kyleigh Forster, Bakersfield; Kyle Fowle, Etna; Malela Fulton, Fortuna; Corrine Gilman, Sonoma; Kate Grizzle, Holtville; Brandon Gutierrez, Sacramento; Dylan Hanna, Etna; Anton Hester, San Diego; Kennedy Janeway, Redding; Ethan Knechtle, Etna; Kiara Konyn, Escondido; Jenner Laustalot, Redding; Mac Moretti, Santa Ysabel; Zane Naphan, Oroville; Jaycee Norris, Burney; Claire Pata, Lompoc; Caden Peterson, Turlock; Parker Prior, Hydesville; Carson Pray, Red Bluff; Aubree Roen, Calpine; Shade Satica, Susanville; Adeline Scott, Biggs; Laila Shea, Paso Robles; Travis Smith, San Luis Obispo; Emma Stafford, Petaluma; Quinn Stafford, Live Oak; Malana Unsell, Bakersfield; Kensington Witt, Atascadero; Peyton Wood, Montague; Teagan Wunschel, Plymouth; Anneliese Yanez, Temecula; and Anthony Zinselmeir, Arcata.

Since its founding in 1955, the California Farm Bureau Scholarship Foundation has awarded more than $4.4 million in scholarships to help students achieve their educational and career goals in agriculture.

Reprint with credit to California Farm Bureau. For image use, email agalert@cfbf.com