2025 agriculture scholars celebrated at luncheon

ALTAMONT, Ill. — The class of 2025 Farm Credit agriculture scholars was recognized during a scholarship luncheon at Carriage House Event Center in Altamont.

A total of $75,000 of scholarships were awarded to 30 high school seniors. Each scholar receives $2,500 from FCI to pursue a degree within the field of agriculture. Twenty-four of the students attended the recognition program.

This marks the 21st year of the Farm Credit agriculture scholarship program, which has awarded over $860,000 to 536 students in central and southern Illinois since 2004.

Scholarship selections are based on participation and leadership contributions within school and community organizations, a genuine passion for farming or agriculture and a commitment to pursuing an agriculture-related career.

“Farm Credit Illinois is proud to celebrate the remarkable achievements and aspirations of these students who represent the future of the agriculture industry,” said Kelly Hunt, FCI’s CEO.

“We are excited to see their passions and talents drive innovation and growth in the agriculture industry and rural America as they pursue continued education.”

2025 FCI Agriculture Scholars are:

• Greyson Applebee of Forsyth in Macon County will graduate from Maroa-Forsyth High School and attend Southern Illinois University Carbondale to study agricultural law and environmental policy. Parents: Jill and Phil Applebee.

• Wyatt Arnold of Galatia in Saline County will graduate from Galatia High School and attend Southeastern Illinois College to study mechanical or electrical engineering. Parents: Tim and Eliza Arnold.

• Emma Beckman of Dieterich in Effingham County will graduate from Dieterich Junior-Senior High School and attend Lake Land College to study agricultural communications and marketing. Parents: Hank and Shelly Beckman.

• Olivia Brodbeck of Batchtown in Calhoun County will graduate from Brussels Community High School and attend Western Illinois University to study ag science. Parents: Chad and Amanda Brodbeck.

• Carson Brown of Winchester in Scott County will graduate from Winchester High School and attend Murray State University to study seed and soil management. Parents: Chuck and Angie Brown.

• Eli Bryant of Carmi in White County will graduate from Carmi-White County High School and attend Lake Land College in the John Deere Tech Program. Parents: Brian and Sandra Bryant.

• Cali Bunting of Albion in Edwards County will graduate from Edwards County High School and attend Wabash Valley College to study agriculture business. Parents: Jeff and Valerie Bunting.

• Cara Carrillon of Carlyle in Clinton County will graduate from Central Community High School and attend Kansas State University to study animal science. Parents: Nicole and Curt Carrillon.

• Caden Crain of Mounds in Pulaski County will graduate from Century High School and attend Shawnee Community College to study ag business. Parents: Collin and Hilary Crain.

• Wyatt Draper of Hutsonville in Crawford County will graduate from Hutsonville High School and attend Lake Land College to study agricultural production and management. Parents: Matt and Jodi Draper.

• Adaline Eisenmann of Mahomet in Champaign County will graduate from Mahomet-Seymour High School and attend Vincennes University to study animal husbandry. Parents: Derric and Jodi Eisenmann.

• Makinzie Gaither of Sumner in Lawrence County will graduate from Red Hill Junior-Senior High School and attend Lake Land College to study agriculture education. Parents: Benjamin and Samantha Gaither.

• Morgan Hampton of Waggoner in Montgomery County will graduate from Lincolnwood High School and attend the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign to study animal science. Parents: Phil and Cassandra Hampton.

• John Heelen of Paris in Edgar County will graduate from Paris Cooperative High School and attend Lake Land College to study agricultural business. Parents: Morris and Amy Heelen.

• Blake Homann of Charleston in Coles County will graduate from Charleston High School and attend Lake Land College in the ag transfer program. Parents: Brad and Ellen Homann.

• Adam Huffman of Jacksonville in Morgan County will graduate from Routt Catholic High School and attend Murray State University to study agriculture business. Parents: Trevor and Monica Huffman.

• Kadie Hummel of Cabery in Ford County will graduate from Tri-Point High School and attend Casper Community College to study animal science. Parents: Dale and Holly Hummel.

• Carleigh Kleiss of Tuscola in Douglas County will graduate from Tuscola Community High School and attend Parkland College to study agriculture. Parents: Robert M. Kleiss and Heather Salvatore.

• Alissa Korsmeyer of Highland in Madison County will graduate from Highland High School and attend Illinois State University to study agronomy management. Parents: Kenneth and Janice Korsmeyer.

• Jasmin Leon of Lincoln in Logan County will graduate from Lincoln Community High School and attend Oklahoma State University to study agricultural education. Parents: Maria and Ernesto Leon.

• Ryan Lowis of Piasa in Macoupin County will graduate from Southwestern High School and attend Illinois College to study agribusiness. Parents: Charles and Karen Lowis.

• Reed Naughton of Atlanta in Logan County will graduate from Olympia High School and attend Lake Land College to study agronomy. Parents: Dan and Amy Naughton.

• Abby Norris of Raymond in Montgomery County will graduate from Lincolnwood High School and attend the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign to study animal science. Parents: Jeff and Emily Norris.

• Issy Phillips of Du Quoin in Perry County will graduate from Du Quoin High School and attend Purdue University to study agronomy and Spanish. Parents: Jeff and Billie Phillips.

• Brock Portz of Marissa in Washington County will graduate from Marissa High School and attend Murray State University to study agriculture business. Parents: Brent and Kim Portz.

• Henry Ruppert of Coulterville in Perry County will graduate from Pinckneyville Community High School and attend Rend Lake College to study agriculture business. Parents: Jon and Cortnie Ruppert.

• Ben Sellmeyer of Maroa in Macon County will graduate from Warrensburg-Latham High School and attend Oklahoma State University to study animal science and ag business marketing. Parents: Clay and Katie Sellmeyer.

• Lane Stine of Farina in Fayette County will graduate from St. Elmo High School and attend Southern Illinois University Carbondale to study agriculture systems. Parents: Dan and Natalie Stine.

• Tara Taft of Springfield in Sangamon County will graduate from A-C Central High School and attend Purdue University to study animal science. Parents: Mike and Tracy Taft.

• Avery Watson of Philo in Champaign County will graduate from Unity High School and attend Iowa State University to study agronomy. Parents: Adam and Anne Watson.