Annual Farm Bureau Ag Scholarship Breakfast returns after two-year Covid hiatus
Five local students earn Agricultural scholarships

 

[April 01, 2022] 

On Thursday morning the ballroom at the American Legion Post 263 in Lincoln was a warm and inviting space for local farmers, agricultural businesses, and a group of young people hoping to be named as recipients of the 2022 Farm Bureau Ag Scholarships.

The doors to the American Legion were opened before 6:30 a.m. to welcome guests to the annual Ag Scholarship Breakfast that would commence at 7 a.m.

It has been three years since the last ag breakfast. In 2019 the breakfast was held at Lincoln College. In 2020 and 2021 the breakfast had to be cancelled due to coronavirus. This year, the breakfast was held once again in a new location and on a slightly smaller scale. This year there were no vendor tables set up for guests to visit before and after the program. With the smaller venue, the Farm Bureau had utilized all the space available to provided seating for an expected 200 guests. Most of the tables provided had guests seated at them by the time the program began.

As guests milled about and visited with friends and acquaintances, Farm Bureau Manager Jim Drew announced that they were going to get started promptly. He said that the guest speaker for the event was on a time schedule and had to be in Springfield by 8:30 a.m. so they would step up the pace and possibly rearrange the program slightly to accommodate Representative Tim Butler.



Farm Bureau members and local farmer David Opperman was called on to ask the blessing for the food and fellowship. Drew then encouraged guests to assemble for the buffet breakfast prepared by the American Legion.

As guests were mostly finished enjoying their breakfast Farm Bureau Board Chairman Derrick Martin introduced Representative Butler. Butler is currently the representative for the 87th Illinois District. Due to redistricting that will take effect in 2023, Butler’s district has been rearranged and he will not be representing Logan County in the future. Butler spoke about this and other issues important to the day. Complete coverage of Butler’s speech may be found in a separate story in Lincoln Daily News.

After Butler left the podium, Drew returned. He said first he wanted to thank everyone for attending. He went on to deliver a special thank you to the Lincoln Memorial Hospital for sponsorship of the meal. And finally, a thank you to all the sponsors of the breakfast on the whole.



Drew then asked Abby Coers Miller to join him at the front of the room. He said that Miller has been a great help to him over the years in preparing presentations and PowerPoints for the Ag Breakfast. This year, he wanted to acknowledge her contribution with a plaque of appreciation.

In the room, there were a number of political figures and candidates for office in the 2022 primary and/or general election. He introduced those in attendance and asked that they stand. Included in the group were Logan County Sheriff Mark Landers, Circuit Judge Johnathan Wright, Representatives to the new 87th District Mary Burress and Bill Hauter, and Eleventh Judicial Circuit Associate Judge Amy McFarland.



Logan County Farm Bureau President Derrick Martin came to the podium for the balance of the program.

He offered thanks to all for coming and for the many involved in agriculture, including the teachers and sponsors, local FFA and others.

Martin said that he was very proud of the scholarship program and that it means a lot to Logan County Farm Bureau to be instrumental in helping further the education of future ag leaders.

This is the fifth year of the Farm Bureau administering the scholarship breakfast and program. Martin said as of this year, the Farm Bureau has awarded $102,500 in scholarships to Logan County ag students.

In 2018 the awards totaled $16,000, in 2019 - $21,000, in 2020 - $18,000, in 2021 - $22,500; and in 2022, $25,000 will be awarded in five, $5,000 scholarships.

As a show of appreciation to some of the ‘Planter” sponsors who have helped throughout the years, plaques were presented to Ag-Land FS, AHM, Apex, BASF, Best Friends Animal Hospital, Central Illinois Ag, Country Financial, Frontier-Mt. Carroll Insurance, Graue Inc., Harbrand - Hopedale and Lincoln Ag, Lincoln Memorial Hospital, Logan County Farm Bureau Young Leaders, and Pioneer Seed.

The last event of the day was the awarding of the five scholarships. After being called to the front of the room, each of the five awardees were asked to introduce themselves to the audience.

The 2022 Ag Scholarship recipients are:

Everett Maaks of Lincoln
Parents: Mike and Tracy Maaks
Plans to go to Southern Illinois University, Carbondale
Study to be a game warden



Lucas Kuhlman of Mount Pulaski
Parents: Jason Kuhlman and Katie Buckles
Plans to attend Iowa State University
Agronomy major



Alanea Cryulik of Mount Pulaski
Parents: Samantha and Chris Brown
Plans to attend Southern Illinois University
Major in ag education

Cassidy Clark of Mount Pulaski
Parents: Gale and Michelle Clark
Southern Illinois University
Ag communications



Jonathan Wright of Emden
Jonathan and Melanie Wright
Pensacola Christian College
Major in biology

With the introduction of each awardee the day was called to a conclusion by Drew.

[Nila Smith]