college scholarship

Press Release:

Horizon Organic, a pioneer in organic dairy and the largest USDA-certified organic milk brand in the world, today announced the 2024 recipients of the Horizon Organic Producer Education (HOPE) program scholarships, which encourage young people to seek careers within organic or sustainable agriculture and/or large animal veterinary science.

The scholarship recipients, who must be the children or grandchildren of Horizon Organic producer partners, are each awarded $2,500 to use toward their college education. Horizon Organic became the first national organic dairy brand to offer scholarships designed to build the next generation of organic leaders through the initiation of the HOPE Scholarship program in 2007. During the past 17 years, the HOPE Scholarship program has awarded 105 scholarships totalling more than $290,000 in financial support.

“Farmers are the heart of Horizon Organic, and the HOPE Scholarship program is one way we are helping ensure organic farmers keep farming for generations to come,” said Tyler Holm, CEO of Horizon Organic. We believe in the organic difference, and we’re proud to share this value with the 2024 HOPE Scholarship recipients along with our shared passion to shape positive impact and educate communities about the importance of organic agriculture.”

This year’s HOPE Scholarship recipients include:

Rachel Hatch (Freedom, N.Y.), age 18, is the daughter of producers Jeremy and Sara Hatch of Emary Springs Farm who have been shipping milk to Horizon Organic for 21 years. This year Rachel began attending State University of New York College of Agriculture & Technology (SUNY Cobleskill) pursuing an agriculture business degree that will fuel her passion to promote organic agriculture, whether it be to return to the family farm or other opportunities within the organic agriculture system. 

"Being a HOPE scholarship recipient means a lot to me and my family,” said Rachel. “It shows that Horizon Organic is a company that is willing to give back to the community and to farmers that have been a part of their success for many years,” shared Rachel. “It also means that they are willing to support young adults like me in our passion for agriculture and are very encouraging in our futures."

Zackary Tillotson (Pavilion), age 19, is the grandson and son of producers Paul and Jason Tillotson, respectively, of Cottonwood Farms LLC. The farm has shipped milk to Horizon Organic for 19 years. Zackary is a two-time HOPE Scholarship recipient and recently started his sophomore year at State University of New York College of Agriculture & Technology (SUNY Cobleskill) pursuing an agriculture business degree. His goal is to enhance his family farm's productivity and sustainability to ensure the farm and his family can continue to thrive for future generations, all the while committing to upholding and advancing organic standards through innovative and efficient practices.

"I am incredibly honored and grateful to be a past and now a 2024 HOPE scholarship recipient,” said Zackary. “This scholarship not only alleviates a portion of the financial burden for school, but also allows me to continue my education in agricultural business. I am very excited to bring the knowledge I gain to our family farm. I look forward to maintaining a strong relationship with Horizon Organic throughout my college journey and as I return full-time to the farm."

The HOPE Scholarship program is more relevant than ever as consumers are seeking out organic foods and beverages at an unprecedented rate. According to the 2024 Organic Trade Association Industry Survey, U.S. sales of certified organic products approached $70 billion in 2023, a new record for the sector. Organic dairy and egg sales specifically were up 5.5 percent last year. This increasing demand  points to the continued need to support and cultivate organic farmers and others in sustainable agriculture who are dedicated to advancing the organic industry and delivering the high-quality organic products consumers are craving.

Horizon Organic is committed to putting its farmers first, and the HOPE program is just one way the organization supports these essential business partners. From providing farmers with profitability consulting, intergenerational transition planning to keep farms in the family, and estate and retirement planning, to traveling vet care to offer individualized guidance for farmers’ specific concerns about their herds, and availability to collaborate on milk quality and continuous improvement, Horizon Organic aims to nourish a happy, healthy future for farmers, families, animals and the land.

The 2024 HOPE Scholarship recipients were selected by a committee of organic and agricultural industry leaders, including: John Foster, Chief Operating Officer, Wolf & Associates; Tina Owens, VP Agriculture Transition, Intrinsic Exchange Group; and Kelly Shea, Chief Executive Officer, Shea & Associates.

More about Horizon Organic and the brand's commitment to supporting family farmers and organic agriculture can be found at https://horizon.com/organic-dairy-brand/organic-farmers/farmer-support-program/.

Press Release:

The Elmira College Office of Admissions recently announced that Cassidy Crawford of Batavia was among the awardees for this year's Elmira College Scholars Program.

The Scholars Program awards full-tuition scholarships to first-year, full-time students through an application process. Eligible applicants need to have a 3.7 unweighted academic GPA. A committee reviewed the applications, which included letters of recommendation, personal statements, and a 500-700-word essay based on a prompt. The Elmira Scholars will receive a full-tuition scholarship, renewable at the level of the entering year for up to four years, upon enrollment at Elmira College.

Press Release:

Bryce Yockel of Byron was among over 680 students who earned named scholarships at Baldwin Wallace University this fall. Yockel, a graduate of Byron-Bergen High School majoring in sports management, earned the Florence N. Gray Scholarship.

BW has a long history of scholarship support from alumni, faculty, trustees, and friends. Over 430 named scholarships provide more than $4.7 million to help students attend, persist, and graduate from BW. In addition, they carry on the donors' legacies through the lives of the students who receive their support. The scholarships vary in requirements, with many specifying financial need, a course of study, involvement on campus, or a commitment to excellence in a particular field. BW offers a wide range of financial support to its students - more than $56 million for the 2023-2024 academic year.

Press release:

ONEONTA, NY—To underscore its commitment to providing an affordable education to students from the Empire State, Hartwick College officials have announced The Hartwick College Founders’ Award, a guaranteed tuition grant of $10,000 per year.

The $10,000 guaranteed grant will be awarded to each newly enrolled first-year and transfer student who is a resident of New York state. Grants will be awarded to new students beginning in the fall of 2018.

While Hartwick educates students from every state and dozens of countries, historically 75 percent of the College’s students hail from New York. Founded in 1797, and as one of the oldest colleges in the nation, Hartwick has deep ties and a commitment to the citizens of New York State.

“This new award is intended to send a clear message to families from New York state that we understand their concerns about college affordability,” said President Margaret L. Drugovich. “We chose the name ‘Founders’ Award’ as a tribute to the many generous supporters of the College who have made a Hartwick education affordable for students over these last two centuries.

"Many Hartwick alumni have told me that they could not have obtained their Hartwick education except for the generosity of others. The Founders’ Award continues that tradition.”

New students who enroll at Hartwick starting in the fall of 2018, and who remain enrolled and in good academic standing, will receive a $10,000 Founder’s Award for each year of their enrollment. Because Hartwick is committed to experiential education that has a positive, global impact, there are no eligibility income limits or post-graduation residency requirements. Students who enroll in the College’s innovative Three-Year Bachelor’s Degree Program are also eligible for this award.

The Hartwick College Founders’ Award will provide the foundation of each New York State student’s financial aid award. Students may also qualify for additional college grants, scholarships, and other forms of financial aid based upon their eligibility. No special grant application is required; students need simply apply for admission to Hartwick and file the Federal Free Application for Federal Student Assistance (FAFSA).

“The Hartwick College Founders’ Award is another example of our commitment to providing a high-quality, affordable education for our students and their families,” said Vice President for Enrollment Management Karen McGrath. “We’re pleased to offer this no-strings-attached award to the college-bound students of New York, and to continue the longstanding tradition of educating New York’s next generation of global citizens.”

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Hartwick College is a private liberal arts and sciences college of 1,500 students, located in Oneonta, NY, in the northern foothills of the Catskill Mountains. Hartwick's expansive curriculum emphasizes an experiential approach to the liberal arts. Through personalized teaching, collaborative research, a distinctive January Term, a wide range of internships, and vast study-abroad opportunities, Hartwick ensures that students are prepared for not just their first jobs, but for the world ahead. A Three-Year Bachelor's Degree Program and strong financial aid and scholarship offerings keep a Hartwick education affordable.