The National Corn Growers Association and BASF awarded the William C. Berg Excellence in Agriculture Scholarship to five aspiring agriculture students pursuing degrees in an agriculture-related field today at the 2019 Commodity Classic in Orlando, Florida
Five $1,000 scholarships were awarded to the following students:
- Kayla Beechinor, a junior from Walla Walla, Washington, majoring in agriculture biotechnology and field crop management at Washington State University
- Catherine Jones, a senior from Bellevue, Nebraska, studying agriculture and environmental sciences communications at the University of Nebraska – Lincoln
- Amber Oerly, a sophomore from Booneville, Missouri, studying agriculture business at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College
- Osler Ortez, a Ph.D. student from Nicaragua, pursuing a master’s in agronomy and horticulture from the University of Nebraska – Lincoln
- Krista Russell from Jerseyville, Illinois, obtaining her master’s degree in environmental science from Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville
The NCGA William C. Berg Academic Excellence in Agriculture Scholarship Program is conducted annually, awarding scholarships to deserving, qualified second-year or later, agriculture students enrolled in an agriculture, agribusiness, or ag vocation programs at a U.S. 2-year or 4-year program of study at an accredited junior college, college, or university.
The program is named in honor of Ohio farmer William C. Berg. A retired postal worker and farmer for more than 40 years, Bill served in various positions for both the Ohio Corn and Wheat Growers Association and the National Corn Growers Association. He served as a judge for the NCGA-BASF scholarship program for its first five years and recommended many important adjustments that ensured its continued success and enhanced the experience of the scholarship recipients.
Scholarship recipients can be proud to receive a scholarship honoring this staunch supporter of modern American agriculture. BASF and NCGA are dedicated to supporting the next generation of agriculture leaders. For more information about the initiatives BASF supports, visit www.agriculture.basf.com.
