Two Receive Agriculture Future of America Scholarship!

Two Receive Agriculture Future of America Scholarship!

Sage Toews and Amber Smith both to receive the 2023 Agriculture Future of America (AFA) Scholarship for McPherson County!

The scholarships are made possible by the McPherson Chamber of Commerce Ag Committee in partnership with Agriculture Future of America. The Chamber’s Agriculture Committee has raised funds to support the AFA Leader and Academic Scholarship for McPherson County since 2000. Along with establishing an AFA scholarship fund at the McPherson County Community Foundation, the Ag Committee has awarded 35 full scholarships to date.

We greatly appreciate the AFA Selection Committee of the McPherson Chamber; Kelly Pitts (PrairieLand Partners), Brad Bengtson (Peoples Bank & Trust), Matt Friesen (MKC) and Grace Huxman (Adams Brown) who were tasked with reviewing the applications and conducting in-person interviews. Traditionally we have been able to fund one scholarship per year, but with so many incredible applicants this year, we knew we had to figure out a way to award two. Congratulations to Sage and Amber!

Sage Toews is off to Kansas State University in the fall to study Agriculture Economics with a focus on global policy and plans to pursue a second major in Global Food Systems Leadership, with a minor in Agriculture Law. Sage, who graduated from Canton-Galva High School, was an officer in FFA and 4-H, as well as being on the Kansas High School Rodeo committee. Sage has been involved in several community service activities including organizing a Thanksgiving Food Drive, a Kiss the Goat Fundraiser during FFA week, and has served as a counselor at Rock Springs 4-H Camp.

Amber Smith, graduated from McPherson High School this year as the class president and an officer in Student Council. She will be attending Oklahoma State University to pursue a major in animal science and pre-vet. Through her involvement in the Kansas Association for Youth, Amber hosted a blood drive, a nonperishable food drive, and she helped baked goods for the local first responders. Amber has a strong work ethic, is quite persistent, and said her biggest role model is her Grandma Ann who “demonstrates a joy for living and a gratitude for every opportunity.” Amber plans to go on to veterinary school, then bring back her knowledge and skill set to do her part to better her community.

Sage and Amber will both receive a $3,200 academic scholarship to be used for tuition, fees, and books, in addition to their tuition paid to the AFA Leadership Conference on November 9-12, 2023 in Kansas City, MO. The Leadership Conference is attended by hundreds of top agriculture students from across the nation.

Sage Toews and Amber Smith both demonstrate the drive and commitment of great leaders, and they are why the McPherson Chamber Agriculture Committee continues to partner with AFA to build transformation leaders in agriculture. More information about AFA can be found at www.agfuture.com. If you would like to donate to the AFA Scholarship Fund for students in McPherson County, you can do so on the McPherson County Community Foundation website, or their office is located at 1233 N. Main.