OABA Awards $53,000 in Scholarships

The Ohio AgriBusiness Association recently awarded more than $53,000 in scholarships to 36 students across Ohio through the OABA Educational Trust, the George Greenleaf Agri-Industry Endowment and the OABA Endowed Scholarship Fund. The OABA Educational Trust scholarship program annually awards scholarship dollars to students enrolled in an agriculture-related field attending The Ohio State University and Ohio State’s Agricultural Technical Institute, Clark State College and Wilmington College.

“Supporting these exceptional students is one of the most meaningful ways we can shape the future of Ohio agribusiness,” said Melinda Witten, President and CEO of the Ohio AgriBusiness Association. “Through this scholarship program, we’re investing in driven, capable individuals who will lead our industry forward. We’re proud to recognize their hard work and excited to see the impact they’ll make.”

OABA Educational Trust

The OABA Educational Trust scholarship fund is supported by donations from OABA member companies, and through three primary fundraising activities: two Golf for Scholarships outings and a Target: Scholarships sporting clays event.

This year, OABA awarded $28,000 in scholarships to the following individuals.

The Ohio State University Agricultural Technical Institute

• Brayden Hayes of Port Clinton
• Wesley Madison of Greenwich
• Owen Seedorf of Cygnet

The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences

• Ava Cramer of McComb
• Kathryn Crow of Baltimore
• Haven Hileman of Stout
• Agnes Durliat of Findlay
• Ansley Kozarec of Farmersville
• Carson Emery of Hillsboro
• William Luli of Rootstown
• Landon Rhodes of Salem
• Mary Landis of Anna
• Gwen ValElzen of Uniontown

Clark State Community College

• Aubrey Burns of Milford Center
• Black Schwartzkopf of Xenia
• Zach Herrman of Oxford

Wilmington College

• Justin Baum of Wilmington
• Abbey Eland of Rock Creek
• Abigail Getz of South Charleston
• Emma Greve of Marysville
• Grant Helsinger of Germantown
• Cody Workinger of Canal Fulton
• Morgan Sloan of Middletown

George Greenleaf Agri-Industry Endowment

The George G. Greenleaf Agri-Industry Endowment was established in 1985 to recognize George Greenleaf during his 25 years as an association executive in the grain, feed, fertilizer and pesticide industries. The fund recognizes outstanding students with an interest in agribusiness.

This year, the George Greenleaf Agri-Industry Endowment awarded $11,700 in scholarships to the following individuals.

Clark State Community College

• Ryleigh Schaffer of Urbana
• Kara Boerger of Irwin

The Ohio State University Agricultural Technical Institute

• William Tabellion of Louisville

The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences

• Maria Baker of Burghill
• Ava Cramer of McComb
• Chloe Wills of Londonderry

Wilmington College

• Kassandra Summons of West Jefferson
• Tyson McElroy of Newark 

OABA Endowed Scholarship Fund

The OABA Endowed Scholarship Fund, established through The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences, and through a $100,000 gift from the OABA and the OABA Educational Trust, provides financial support for Ohio State students working toward agricultural degrees and enrichment opportunities through their education.

The OABA Endowed Scholarship Fund awarded $14,000 in scholarships to the following individuals.

The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences

• Amanda Adams of LaRue
• Von Herron of Salem
• Abigail Isler of Prospect
• Alexander Keister of Minerva
• Cameron Kittle of Glouster