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QUINCY
– Mark Baker of Liberty is a recipient of the 2008 “At The
Heart Of A Growing America” scholarship from 1st
Farm Credit Services, according to vice president Mark
Wernowsky.
Baker, a senior at Quincy
Notre Dame High School, is the son of Gary and Elaine Baker.
He has been involved in 4-H and FFA for many years. In
addition to being a member of the National Honor Society, he
participates on the cross country, baseball and basketball
teams.
He is among 23 students who live in the areas covered by 1st
Farm Credit Services receiving the $1,000 scholarship. The
scholarship supports students who will attend a university,
college or community college to pursue an agriculture or
agriculture-related degree.
“The recipients of this prestigious scholarship will play an
important role in the future of rural America and
agriculture,” said
Wernowsky,
who serves Adams and Pike counties. “Their commitment to
agriculture is evident in their past experiences and goals
for the future.”
“This program is just one way our association can invest in
the future of agriculture, by encouraging and helping the
young farmers and people who want to have a career in
agriculture and rural communities,”
Wernowsky
said.
Recipients were selected from a pool of 120 applicants based
on their future commitment to rural America, academic
achievement, community activities and agriculture
involvement. An independent panel of leaders in farming,
agribusiness, youth and education judged the applications.
A banquet and formal presentation of the scholarships will
be hosted by 1st Farm Credit Services for the
students and parents in June.
In the fall, Baker plans to
attend the University of Illinois to pursue a degree in
chemical engineering. He hopes to apply his chemistry
background to agriculture by developing new pesticides and
fertilizers for production or finding alternative uses for
the products raised on his family farm.
1st
Farm Credit Services leads the industry in farm real estate
loans, and provides various services such as crop insurance,
loan and lease options, as well as agricultural real estate
appraisals. The cooperative serves 42 counties in the
northern half of Illinois through its 20 local offices.
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