RICHMOND, Ind. — Harvest Land Co-op recently awarded 18 scholarships to recent high school graduates in their trade area, with total money awarded at $18,000.

Harvest Land is a proud supporter of agriculture and young farmer programs throughout the area such as 4-H and FFA. In addition to those opportunities, Harvest Land awards district scholarships to young men or women who are post-high school agricultural degrees. One student from each of Harvest Land’s nine districts with in their market is chosen annually. 

Harvest Land also recognizes employees’ children who are graduating and pursuing post-high school education. Scholarships are awarded based on need, leadership, community service, agricultural interest and scholastics. 

The winner’s of the 2012 Harvest Land scholarships are as follows: 

Katerina McDermitt of Madison Grant High School, Kelly Beeker of Greenfield Central High School, Sam Sweigart of Shenandoah High School, Audrey Neuman of Rushville High School, Dallas Short of Jay County High School, Kedra Buckmaster of Monroe Central High School, Jessica Lewis of Union County High School, William Borchers of Versailles High School, Andrew Richardson of Talawanda High School, William Sparks of Knightstown High School, Thomas Study III of Union County High School, Madelyn Werling of Bellmont High School, Devin Naylor of Randolph Southern High School, Madison Stout of Hagerstown High School, Allison Lee of Dixie High School, Thomas Sellers of Knightstown High School, Jaycey Wood Pendleton High School, and Katie Hart of Franklin Monroe.

Harvest Land Co-op is an agribusiness owned cooperatively by farmers in several East Central Indiana and Southwest Ohio counties. Originally organized in the late 1920s, Harvest Land continues to specialize in providing farmers with the products and services they need to farm effectively and profitably.

Marion County Farm Bureau supports livestock 4-Hers

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — Marion County Farm Bureau (MCFB) was a proud supporter of the Marion County Fair again this year through their sponsorship of the Marion County 4-H Tenure awards, substantial buying support in the 4-H livestock sale and host of the 2012MooCrew providing agriculture education and fun to fairgoers. 

Supporting youth, agriculture and agriculture education are core to the mission of Marion County Farm Bureau. 

Marion County Farm Bureau is a strong proponent of animal agriculture and the benefits livestock projects provide to youth. This year the MCFB purchased seven livestock projects from Marion County youth. The animals purchased were donated to Second Helpings, an Indiana non-profit focused on feeding the hungry of Indiana. 

This is the third year that MCFB has purchased livestock at the annual Marion County Fair with the intention of donating the product to help feed Indiana communities. Nearly 1,050 pounds of meat were provided to Second Helpings from the MCFB livestock purchases.

A longtime supporter of 4-H in Marion County, the MCFB also provided funding for the 4-H Tenure awards in recognition of 4-Hers who have excelled in their 4-H involvement. Other involvement during the fair included educational outreach through fun and games. The corn-hole tournament in the Marion County Farm Bureau booth was a huge hit with winners receiving moo-shirts to showcase Indiana agriculture throughout the year. 

For more information about Marion County Farm Bureau, Inc. visit www.marioncountyfb.org or “like” MCFB on Facebook. 

GREENFIELD, Ind. — Greenfield Central FFA recently attended the 83rd annual Indiana State FFA Convention at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Ind. on June 18-20. Twelve Greenfield-Central chapter FFA members, four parents, two grandparents and six special guests enjoyed the activities and awards at state convention.

Kelly Beeker, a 2012 graduate of GCHS, participated in this year’s Agricultural Ambassador Leadership contest. She was one of 12 contestants who earned their way through the district level contests. Beeker had an interview with the judges after they evaluated her state degree application. She did not advance to the final four of the contest, but she was a great contestant and learned from her interview. Beeker also competed in the state’s proficiency competition in horticulture placement. She has been working at Tuttle’s Orchard for the last three years and her efforts there were the basis for her 3rd place finish in the state contest. Beeker will be a freshman at Purdue University this fall majoring in Agriculture Comm. 

Michaela Bova and Corrine Hibbert served as our official chapter delegates to the business sessions. They enjoyed the voting for selection of the 2012-2013 state FFA officers. The G-C chapter was recognized as a member of the top ten chapters in the state for donating over $2,400 to the Indiana FFA Foundation during the last year. The chapter was also recognized by the Indiana Prairie Farmer magazine for our participation in the essay writing contest held in March of this year. We received a check for $200 from magazine Editor Tom Bechman. Mt. Vernon FFA Chapter was also honored for the same project with a check from the magazine.

Greenfield-Central chapter members receiving the top FFA Degree in the state this year were: Michaela Bova, Courtney Heller, Savannah Hudson, Chase Layton, Jason Maroska, Kory Pegan, Loran Smith and Tim Turner. Mike and Kris Marosak were there to see their son, Jason, receive his degree. Chrissy Heller and her two sons watched daughter, Courtney, receive her degree. Parents, grandparents, and other family members of Michaela Bova and Courtney Heller attended the June 19th ceremonies in Elliot Hall of Music. 

FFA Advisor Joe McCain was the recipient of one of the two Distinguished Service Awards presented by the Indiana FFA Assoc. for 2012.