2024 Scholarship Winners

2024 MCFB Foundation Scholarship Recipients

This year the Foundation awards $18,000 to fourteen scholarships to students who are dependents of the Mercer County Farm Bureau member to plan to have a postive impact on agriculture in the future. 

 

Autumn Marston- Winner of John Sheriff and Dan Lloyd Memorial Scholarship

Autumn is the daughter of Dustin and Sarah Marston of Joy. She is a recent graduate of Mercer County High School. She plans to attend University of Iowa this fall, majoring in Nursing. Autumn is the winner of the 2023 John Sheriff, Dan Lloyd Memorial Scholarship.

“I am honored to be this year’s recipient of the John Sheriff/ Dan Lloyd Award granted by the Mercer County Farm Bureau Foundation. With assistance from this scholarship, I am one step closer to receiving my doctorate degree and pursuing my dream career of becoming a pediatric nurse practitioner. I am grateful for this award and will utilize it by making a difference in the world through my career, one day at a time.” Shared Autumn.

Megan Gray

Megan is the daughter of Donald and Kathy Gray of Aledo. She currently attends Northern Illinois University, majoring in Biological Science. Megan is a winner of a 2024 Mercer County Farm Bureau Foundation Scholarship.

“Agriculture has given me the ability to focus on my dreams and pursue my passion. I have gained valuable leadership, public speaking, and management skills because of my activities through FFA and 4-H. I am thankful to the Mercer County Farm Bureau for selecting me as the recipient of this scholarship. While in High School, I was able to share my own agricultural experiences with others through ACE camp, Ag in the Classroom, and my SAE. This past year at NIU, I have been able to transition my agricultural background into my Biological Science major, as well as a minor in Chemistry and Psychology. I greatly appreciate this scholarship because it is helping me further my career, knowledge, and experiences” Megan stated

Gabriella McPeek

Gabriella is the daughter of Kraig and Becky McPeek. She is a recent graduate of Mercer County High School. She plans to attend Monmouth College this fall, majoring in Elementary Education. Gabriella is a winner of a 2024 Mercer County Farm Bureau Foundation Scholarship.

“The Mercer County Farm Bureau scholarship I was awarded will help me reach my future goals by supporting my financial needs through tuition and books, so I am able to attend Monmouth College this upcoming fall!”

Kaitlynn DeBlock

Kaitlynn is the daughter of Matt and Kim DeBlock of Aledo. She is recent graduate of Sherrard High School. She plans to attend Iowa State University this fall, majoring in Ag Communications. Kaitlynn is a winner of a 2024 Mercer County Farm Bureau Foundation Scholarship.

“I’m super appreciative for the support of the Mercer County Farm Bureau and the trust they have placed in me to spend this scholarship wisely. As I continue my academic career at Iowa State University, majoring in Ag Communications, my long-term goal is to work in international Ag and give back to the Ag community on a larger scale”

Caleb Wagner

Caleb is the son of Scott and Julie Wagner of Illinois City. He is a recent graduate of Mercer County High School. He plans to attend the College of Central Florida this fall, majoring in Welding Technology. Caleb is the winner of the 2024 In Memory of Steve Willits Scholarship that was given out by the Mercer County Farm Bureau Foundation.

“Thank you to the Mercer County Farm Bureau and the Steve Willits family for the honor of receiving the Mercer County Farm Bureau Foundation Scholarship. This award will help cover my tuition expenses at College of Central Florida’s Welding Technology program. This program will teach me the skills needed to earn up to 16 welding certifications that I can utilize in my future career as a structural welder. I am open to many opportunities after college, whether I am employed at a small, local shop or a large company. Wherever I end up working in the next few years, I will appreciate the Farm Bureau and Willits family for helping to make it all happen through their generous gift.”

Cora Whitenack

Cora is the daughter of Christopher and Elizabeth Whitenack of Aledo. She currently attends Central College, majoring in Elementary Education. Cora is a winner of a 2024 Mercer County Farm Bureau Foundation Scholarship.

“Thank you so much for awarding me one of the Mercer County Farm Bureau scholarships. My hope is to graduate with no student loan debt, and this scholarship will help tremendously. As students we are so blessed to live in Mercer County, where so many organizations and people want to see us succeed.”

Savannah McKay

Savannah is the daughter of Jeff and Carrie McKay of New Boston. She is a recent graduate of Mercer County High School. She plans to attend Eastern Iowa Community College this fall, majoring in Horticulture. Savannah is a winner of a 2024 Mercer County Farm Bureau Foundation Scholarship.

“This scholarship will be going towards helping me pay for tuition at Eastern Iowa community college where I plan to study horticulture. This money will help me save money to eventually start my own business.”

Sydney Lamkin

Sydney is the daughter of Doug and Holly Lamkin of Aledo. She is recent graduate of Mercer County High School. She plans to attend Wartburg College this fall, majoring in Environmental Science. Sydney is a winner of a 2024 Mercer County Farm Bureau Foundation Scholarship.

“This scholarship will help me reach my future goals by providing me with financial assistance for my first year of college”

Carson Holmes

Carson is the son of Bryce and Nikki Holmes of Joy. He currently attends Black Hawk East, majoring in Agriculture Transfer. Carson is a winner of a 2024 Mercer County Farm Bureau Foundation Scholarship

“Being awarded a foundation scholarship is very rewarding, and something I am forever grateful for. The support of the local farm bureau is tremendous and greatly appreciated. We all know college isn’t cheap, and every amount helps me towards completing my degree.”

Gracie Lloyd

Gracie is the daughter of Barney and Tiffanee Lloyd of Aledo. She currently attends Black Hawk East, majoring in Ag Production. Gracie is a winner of a 2024 Mercer County Farm Bureau Foundation Scholarship.

“I am very fortunate to have received this scholarship, as it will help me in great lengths this next year at BHE. Thank you!”

William Franck

William is the son of Suerette Franck and the late Wayne Franck of Aledo. He currently attends Drake University, majoring in Marketing and Management. William is the winner of a 2024 Mercer County Farm Bureau Foundation Scholarship.

“I will be a Senior at Drake University in Des Moines this fall. I am majoring in marketing with minors in management, business law, and history. After graduation, I plan to attend law school at Drake University and study Ag Law. I hope to either be an attorney representing Mercer County Farmers, or a lobbyist for small farmers.”

Grace Gillespie

Grace is the daughter of Eric and Sarah Gillespie of Aledo. She is a recent graduate of Mercer County High School. She plans to attend Augustana College this fall, majoring in Business. Grace is a winner of a 2024 Mercer County Farm Bureau Foundation Scholarship.

“This scholarship will help me reach my future goals by lessening my financial burden and allowing for a happier life.”

Sarah Lloyd

Sarah is the daughter of Barney and Tiffanee Lloyd of Aledo. She currently attends Black Hawk East, majoring in Ag Production. Gracie is a winner of a 2024 Mercer County Farm Bureau Foundation Scholarship.

“I am very grateful to receive this scholarship as it will be a big help to me while continuing my education this year at BHE. Thank you!”

Reed Yung

Reed is the son of Brian and Paula Yung of Alexis. He currently attends Western Illinois University, majoring in Ag Business. Reed is a winner of a 2024 Mercer County Farm Bureau Foundation Scholarship.

“I am very grateful to receive this scholarship, and Thank you for investing in my future by awarding me this scholarship."

Congratulations to all of our scholarship receipts! We wish you the best of luck in the future.