Three students awarded $2,000 Indiana Farm Bureau scholarships

INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana Farm Bureau awarded scholarships to three young women pursuing careers in agriculture.

“These women represent the future of agriculture and showcase the wide variety of careers available in the ag space — from farming and agribusiness to education, veterinary medicine, horticulture and landscape architecture — everyone has an important job in this industry,” said Randy Kron, president of INFB.

About The Scholarship

The new Ag Impact Scholarship highlights applicants who demonstrate a lasting effect on Indiana agriculture. Three recipients received a $2,000 scholarship each.

Meet The Winners

Lauryn Merritt

Lauryn Merritt, of Miami County, will graduate from Maconaquah High School. She will attend Huntington University in the fall to pursue a double major in agriculture education and agriculture ministry.

Merritt is a fifth-generation pig and grain farmer who serves as her chapter’s FFA president and is completing her 10th year in 4-H.

She also serves as cocaptain of the women’s basketball team, participates in cross country and track, serves as treasurer for her National Honor Society chapter and volunteers with Champions Together, a partnership between the Indiana High School Athletic Association and Special Olympics Indiana.

Merritt created a fundraiser in her community called “Harvest for Hunger,” where she has raised over $48,000 for Miami County Helping Hands, the local food pantry.

Merritt plans to continue her community service work during college, as she intends to teach others how to grow their own food and highlight how farmers give back to their communities.

Anna Minich

Anna Minich, of LaPorte County, will graduate from South Central Jr./Sr. High School. She will attend South Dakota State University in the fall to study animal science.

Minich grew up on a dairy farm, which was where her love of animals began. She is FFA chapter president and is a 10-year 4-H member, where she serves as the vice president.

Minich also is a member of National Honor Society, student council, South Central Equestrian team and the Indiana Quarter Horse Youth Association.

Minich’s goal is to be a large-animal veterinarian and eventually start her own veterinary practice.

She wants to prevent new viral threats and create protocols for limiting and controlling new diseases to pave the way for groundbreaking advances in animal care, while ensuring the agriculture industry can provide food for others.

Alexa Newby

Alexa Newby, of Putnam County, will graduate from South Putnam High School. She will attend Purdue University in the fall where she will pursue a degree in landscape architecture.

She has served as both FFA and National Honor Society secretary and is a member of student council. She also is a member of the varsity golf team and serves as varsity basketball manager.

Newby created her own business three years ago, Alie’s Annuals, where she sells flowers to the community. Her business has taught her recordkeeping, sales skills and leadership.

Alie’s Annuals served as her FFA chapter spring fundraiser, and Newby is a finalist for the FFA Indiana State Star Award for her work on the program.

Newby’s goal after graduation is to work for a major landscape architecture firm, creating beautiful spaces and incorporating healthy, sustainable areas.

Additionally, two $1,000 scholarships were given to students at Purdue: Jayden Simpson, of Putnam County, and Camille Thopy, of Shelby County.

Simpson is majoring in agricultural economics, and Thopy is pursuing a degree in agricultural education.

Many county Farm Bureaus also offer annual scholarships for students in their area. To learn more, visit www.infb.org/scholarships.