Miami County's Lauryn Merritt receives 2024 Ag Impact Scholarship

Friday, April 19, 2024 at 5:00 AM

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Indiana Farm Bureau recently awarded scholarships to incoming or current college students pursuing careers in agriculture.

New this year, INFB introduced the Ag Impact Scholarship, which highlights applicants who demonstrate a lasting effect on Indiana agriculture. Three recipients each received a $2,000 scholarship.

The Ag Impact scholarship program is designed to focus on the applicant’s current involvement, future commitment, and potential impact in agriculture as well as academic and career potential. All applicants must have been graduating high school seniors. The scholarship funds can be applied to tuition, housing, books or other educational expenses.

The three recipients of the 2024 Ag Impact Scholarship include Lauryn Merritt, of Miami County. Merritt will graduate from Maconaquah High School. She will attend Huntington University in the fall to pursue a double major in agriculture education and agriculture ministry.

Merritt is a fifth-generation pig and grain farmer who serves as her chapter’s FFA president and is completing her 10th year in 4-H. She also serves as co-captain of the women’s basketball team, participates in cross country and track, serves as treasurer for her National Honor Society chapter and volunteers with Champions Together, a partnership between the Indiana High School Athletic Association and Special Olympics Indiana.

Merritt created a fundraiser in her community called “Harvest for Hunger,” where she has raised over $48,000 for Miami County Helping Hands, the local food pantry. Merritt plans to continue her community service work during college, as she intends to teach others how to grow their own food and highlight how farmers give back to their communities.