Kansas City, Mo., July 7, 2021 — AgriBank and Agriculture Future of America (AFA) selected Elizabeth Karnopp and Cole Young for a unique scholarship program.
The William J. Collins Scholarship is part of the AFA Leader and Academic Scholarships program. It gives children of Farm Credit employees within the AgriBank District who are planning to pursue agriculture-related careers, or a future occupation in rural America, access to premier personal and professional development and financial assistance for their college education. This year’s two outstanding students are pursuing four-year degrees and are passionate about the future of the agriculture industry and rural America.
Karnopp, of Oakland, Neb., is a freshman at University of Nebraska – Lincoln. She is majoring in biochemistry. After obtaining her four-year degree, she will pursue a doctorate in pharmacy degree from University of Nebraska Medical Center. Her career goal is to return to a rural community to provide health services to rural residents.
Young, of Clinton, Ill., will begin his studies this fall at Parkland College and later plans to transfer to Illinois State University to complete his four-year degree. He plans to major in agronomy. After completing his degree, he will pursue a career in agronomy and intends on joining his family’s farm one day.
With a commitment to investing in each scholar’s leadership development, AFA’s scholarship program also includes sponsorship to AFA Leaders Conference. The conference is AFA’s main leadership development event, which provides soft-skill training and connects students with peers and industry professionals.
AFA selects over 800 students from across the nation to attend AFA Leaders Conference held annually in November. College students pursuing careers in agriculture and food can apply for the conference through Sept. 7. For more information about Leaders Conference, visit www.agfuture.org/conference.
WILLIAM J. COLLINS SCHOLARS
Elizabeth Karnopp, Oakland, Neb., University of Nebraska – Lincoln
Cole Young, Clinton, Ill., Parkland College
ABOUT AGRICULTURE FUTURE OF AMERICA
Agriculture Future of America (AFA) builds bridges for young leaders to foster engagement and innovation in food and agriculture. With program participation increasing 28% in the last five years, AFA has provided 21,000 leader development experiences to college leaders and young professionals from more than 200 colleges and universities throughout 43 states since its inception in 1996. AFA has awarded more than $10 million in academic and leader development scholarships. For more information about AFA, visit www.agfuture.org.
ABOUT AGRIBANK
AgriBank is part of the customer-owned, nationwide Farm Credit System. Under Farm Credit’s cooperative structure, AgriBank is primarily owned by 14 local Farm Credit Associations, which provide financial products and services to rural communities and agriculture. AgriBank obtains funds and provides funding and financial solutions to those Associations. The AgriBank District covers a 15-state area stretching from Wyoming to Ohio and Minnesota to Arkansas. For more information, please visit www.AgriBank.com.
CONTACT
Agriculture Future of America
Phone – 816-472-4232
Email – programs@agfuture.org
AgriBank Communications
Phone – 651-282-8609
Email – AgriBank.Communications@AgriBank.com