Illinois Agri-Women announce 2024 scholarship winners

GRIGGSVILLE, Ill. — The Illinois Agri-Women organization has awarded five scholarships for students studying agriculture.

Illinois Agri-Women supports the agriculture industry, works for legislation to support and preserve family farms, communicates with other agriculture organizations and strives to educate the public and promote agricultural awareness.

One $1,500 IAW Helen Henert Agriculture Education Scholarship was awarded to Hannah Hockerman. She will be a senior at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale this year finishing her degree in agriculture education.

“Agriculture education is crucial to prepare students for life after school. From résumé building and job skills to hands-on opportunities and career readiness, agriculture education helps prepare students. When students graduate, they will use the experiences, gained knowledge and life skills to be productive citizens in the community,” Hockerman said.

Four $1,000 WCFA Agent of Change Scholarships are offered to students who have attended at least one Women Changing the Face of Agriculture Conference. Eligible applicants include past attendees of the WCFA career exploration event.

Two scholarships have been awarded to a high school senior, one awarded to a current college student and one scholarship awarded to a current graduate student.

Two WCFA Agent of Change Scholarships this year are provided as memorial scholarships.

Phyllis Johnson Memorial Scholarship

The Phyllis Johnson Memorial Scholarship is provided by a daughter of Johnson, Penny Lauritzen. In 1951, Phyllis and LaVern Johnson moved to his parents’ farm as they retired and moved to town.

Johnson worked alongside her husband to plant and harvest the corn, oats and alfalfa that they grew to feed their hogs and cattle. She raised chickens and was very active supporting her six children in their school, 4-H and FFA activities.

Johnson served several years as the Parent-Teacher Association president and chaired hundreds of fundraising banquet committees at their church and for various school organizations.

This experience led her to establish a catering business and eventually build a new home with a large commercial kitchen and serving the area called “Your Home and Ours.”

Joan Loeb Memorial Scholarship

The Joan Loeb Memorial Scholarship is provided by a daughter of the Loebs, Karen Westbrook.

In 2001, Joan and Herb Loeb purchased their first farm as an investment. This investment became Joan’s passion.

Living her whole life in Chicago, Loeb was intrigued by the processes of farming from soil fertility to harvest. She also loved riding in the equipment.

Loeb was fascinated by the education and information required to run a profitable operation. She felt it was important to explain to her city friends that farmers are more than people in bib overalls and farming is much more than plowing a field.

Her daughter, Karen, is a board member of Illinois Agri-Women, a graduate of Annie’s Project and pursued graduate level classes at University of Illinois to help oversee the farm operations. Loeb believed that women in agriculture was an important effort to support.

The 2024 Women Changing the Face of Agriculture Agent of Change scholarship recipients are:

Haley Carlton

Haley Carlton will receive the $1,000 Phyllis Johnson Memorial Scholarship. She is the daughter of Duane and Angela Carlton of Georgetown in eastern Illinois. Carlton is majoring in forestry at SIU in Carbondale.

“One of my greatest future plans is my career, with the dream of becoming a conservation officer. I have always had a passion for the outdoors, natural resources, the community and public service,” Carlton said.

“I hope to make a difference in environmental and agricultural education with my job, from visiting schools to advocating for careers that influence our physical world.”

Paige Horstmeyer

Paige Horstmeyer, Lincoln Land Community College, is recipient of the $1,000 Joan Loeb Memorial Scholarship. Her parents are Scott and Christine Horstmeyer, from Staunton in west-central Illinois.

Horstmeyer’s future plans are to study in the ag transfer program toward agriculture education with the intention of becoming an agriculture literacy coordinator for Illinois Ag in the Classroom.

“I have seen the impact my career choice can provide. I have found that I have a talent of connecting with students in a way that makes them enthusiastic to learn about agriculture. It is a huge goal of mine to continue sharing my passion for agriculture with students from all walks of life in the years to come,” Horstmeyer said.

Ava Splear

Ava Splear, U of I, will receive a $1,000 scholarship. Splear originates from Waterman and is the daughter of Deanne and Ryan Frieders.

Her course study is agricultural leadership, education and communications with minors in public relations and food and agribusiness management.

“My professional goal is to leverage my communication and leadership skills to be an advocate for the agricultural industry. Primarily, I want to focus on educating consumers, so they can make informed decisions regarding the origin of their food sources,” Splear said.

“By bridging the gap between farmers and consumers, I strive to cultivate a deeper appreciation for the tireless work and effort put forth by farmers to provide for the world, all while clearing up misconceptions that surround agriculture.”

Sarah Stevens

Sarah Stevens, Illinois State University, the daughter of Scott and Missy Stevens from Hannah City, will receive $1,000. She completed her degree at Illinois Central College and ISU, receiving her bachelor’s degree in horticulture and landscape management.

Continuing at ISU, Stevens is pursuing a master’s degree in agribusiness.

“My career goals involve working in a freight farm, focusing on hydroponics. I would like to work my way into management working in the farm, teaching and educating the next generation of agriculturalists,” Stevens said.