The Delaware Farm Bureau Women’s Committee, Young Farmers & Ranchers Committee and three county boards are proud to announce its 2024 scholarship awardees.
Various activities are held throughout the year to help raise funds for these scholarships. The Young Farmers & Ranchers Committee raises funds through its annual Strawberry Festival in May and the Antique Tractor Pull which is traditionally held on the last day of the Delaware State Fair. The Women’s Committee runs a well-established food booth at the state fair, raising funds for its scholarships and other initiatives.
This year, the following students were awarded scholarships from the Delaware Farm Bureau:
Rain Vasey
State Women’s Committee Scholarship
Rain Vasey of Lincoln will receive the $2,500 scholarship from the state Women’s Committee to benefit her plans of studying agribusiness with a minor in aviation at Eastern Kentucky University.
She graduated from Water Girl Farm Academy and was very involved in her family’s farm as well as the Houston Cardinals 4-H club. Her family operates Water Girl Farm where they grow hay, pigs, sheep, chickens, and manage an apiary. She started her own flower farming business to fund her education and expand her agricultural knowledge.
Vasey future plans are to become an agricultural applicator pilot. While completing her degree in agribusiness, she plans to earn her pilot certifications and training in tailwheel endorsement, unmanned aircraft, and pesticide application.
Kaitlyn Collins
New Castle County Women’s Committee Scholarship and Young Farmers and Ranchers Scholarship
Kaitlyn Collins of Clayton will receive the $1,000 New Castle County Women’s Committee scholarship and the $1000 Young Farmers and Ranchers Scholarship. The 2022 graduate currently attends Tarleton State University where she majors in animal science with a concentration in production and a minor in equine science.
While in college, Collins has stayed busy and involved in agriculture. She has dedicated many hours to the Tareleton State University Equine Center as well as her residence life program, and multiple local farms. Additionally, she is involved in Texas Farm Bureau and Young Farmers and Ranchers, Collegiate FFA, Block and Bridle, and the Tarleton Equestrian Team.
Collins plans to use her education to further her knowledge and passion for animal agriculture. Upon graduation, she would like to pursue a career in livestock pharmaceutical sales and start her own sales prep business.
Kaitlyn Johnson
Sussex County Women’s Committee Scholarship
Kaitlyn Johnson of Selbyville earned the Sussex County Women’s Committee $1,000 scholarship for her mechanical engineering studies at the University of Delaware.
Johnson has a wide range of skills from her experience on her family’s farm, Parson’s Farm bakery, and L&M Cleaning. She is also involved in the Honors Program, University of Delaware VEX Robotics, American Society of Mechanical Engineers, Ballroom Dancing Club, Crochet Club, Band, Math League, 4-H, and more.
During her education, Johnson hopes to participate in a variety of engineering-based internships and job-shadow opportunities to help decide her future career plans. She looks forward to experiencing some of the many opportunities engineering can offer.
Aiden Garey
Kent County Women’s Committee Scholarship
Aiden Garey of Harrington earned the $1,000 scholarship from the Kent County Women’s Committee as he begins his education in Aeronautical Science at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
Garey is a 2024 graduate of Lake Forest High School where he was involved in Odyssey of the Mind, FFA, National Honors Society, multiple sports, and was the Class President. Outside of school, Garey stayed busy through 4-H, the Delaware State Fair Jr. Board, and showing livestock.
Through a childhood full of exposure to other countries and cultures, Garey has developed a passion for travel. He hopes to combine that passion with his love for engineering as an airline pilot. After obtaining his degree and certifications, Garey plans to enter a career as a commercial pilot or aerial applicator. He would also like to start and operate a pasture-based livestock production operation.
Victoria Fuller
New Castle County Farm Bureau Scholarship
Victoria Fuller of Hockessin will receive the $1,000 New Castle County Farm Bureau Scholarship to benefit her education in wildlife and fisheries management at Juniata College.
Fuller, a 2024 graduate of John Dickinson High School, was involved in swimming, wrestling, tennis, and the National Honors Society in addition to her farm work. She has a passion for agriculture and environmental stewardship, pushing her towards her chosen studies.
Noting the misinterpretation and misinformation creating tension between agriculturists and environmentalists, Fuller hopes to help bridge the gap between the perspectives. She wants to influence more people to commit to education and mediation on the topic to work towards finding common ground in addressing environmental issues.
Brock O’Day
Sussex County Farm Bureau Scholarship and Young Farmers and Ranchers Scholarship
Brock O’Day of Seaford is receiving the $500 Sussex County Farm Bureau Scholarship and the $1,000 Young Farmers and Ranchers Scholarship. The 2024 graduate of Sussex Technical High School is heading to the University of Kentucky to study agricultural economics.
Already investing into his passion for agriculture, O’Day currently rents and farms 70 acres of farmland in addition to helping his family’s farm. When not in the field, O’day is involved in 4-H, the Delaware State Fair Jr. Board, Woodland Ferry Beagle Club, Aftershock Youth Group, football, baseball and exhibits livestock.
O’Day plans to use his education to benefit his family’s farm as he becomes the 5th generation. He looks forward to working as a full-time farmer to fulfill his dream of feeding the world.
Dillana Reed
Kent County Farm Bureau Scholarship
Dillana Reed of Camden has been awarded a $1,000 scholarship from Kent County Farm Bureau to support her studies in Animal and Livestock Management at Delaware Valley University.
A 2024 graduate of Caesar Rodney High School, Reed was actively involved in the National Honor Society, FFA, and the soccer team. Beyond school, she engaged with 4-H Kent County Parks and Recreation, served on the Delaware State Fair Junior Fair Board, and participated in various equine activities.
Reed’s passion for animals and nature has inspired her to pursue a career in agriculture. She aims to deepen her understanding of animal biology, behavior, and conservation, with the goal of improving the lives of animals and livestock.
Sydney Thompson
Kent County Farm Bureau Scholarship
Sydney Thompson of Hartly is receiving a $1,000 scholarship from Kent County Farm Bureau to use towards her Agribusiness Management studies at Delaware Technical Community College.
Thompson graduated from Family Learning Academy in 2023, where she was an assistant teacher in cooking. She also worked on her family’s farm, Thompson Farm LLC, and was actively involved in Maranatha Fellowship, the International Harvester Collectors Club of Delaware, Delaware Young Farmers and Ranchers, and 4-H.
With a deep passion for agriculture, Thompson aspires to work full-time on her family’s farm. Recognizing the many aspects of running a successful operation, she aims to contribute by focusing on record-keeping. She hopes to use her education and knowledge to bring added value to the family business.
For more information on Delaware Farm Bureau, visit defb.org.
