Delaware Farm Bureau names 2023 scholarship winners

The Delaware Farm Bureau Women’s Committee, Young Farmers & Ranchers Committee, and three county boards announced their 2023 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 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 to raise funds for its scholarships and other initiatives.

This year, the following students from Sussex County were awarded scholarships from the Delaware Farm Bureau: Zane Adams, Brayden Hearn, Lauren Hudson, Kaitlyn Johnson and Ruby Phillips.

Zane Adams of Seaford received a $1,000 scholarship from the Sussex County Women’s Committee as he continues his studies in environmental and soil sciences at the University of Tennessee’s Knoxville campus. Adams grew up on a family farm and graduated from Seaford Senior High School in 2021, where he was active in a variety of groups including the FFA. Outside school, Adams participated in the local 4-H club for more than 10 years, acting in treasurer, vice president and president roles, and county-level 4-H, for which he acted as treasurer and earned the Hands Award, given to one person annually for service. 

Brayden Hearn of Laurel received a $2,500 scholarship from the statewide Women’s Committee and $1,000 from the Young Farmers & Ranchers Committee to support his plans to study agribusiness at Delaware Valley University. He graduated from Laurel High School and was active in many groups including the National Junior Swine Association and the school’s FFA chapter. Hearn was a member of the Holler N Hooves 4-H Club for seven years. As an FFA chapter member, he served as treasurer and president, and earned the prestigious Greenhand and State Degrees, among other accolades. The Hearn family operates Sandyloam Farm, a small family farm they purchased in 2001 in Laurel, where they have horses, produce and livestock including pigs, sheep and goats.

Lauren Hudson of Lincoln received a $500 scholarship from the Sussex County Farm Bureau. The 2022 Milford High School graduate currently attends the University of Delaware studying elementary education and music. In high school, she was active in groups including FFA and Educators Rising. She is also actively involved with St. John the Apostle Catholic Church, Avenue United Methodist Church and the Milford Community Band. In her spare time, Hudson has volunteered at local schools and worked as a substitute teacher, honing her educational skills.

Kaitlyn Johnson of Selbyville was presented with a $1,000 scholarship from the Young Farmers & Ranchers Committee and received a $500 scholarship from the Sussex County Farm Bureau. At the University of Delaware, she plans to pursue a degree in mechanical engineering. She graduated from Indian River High School in 2023. Johnson grew up on the family farm and was very active in school. She was an awardee for the Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership Program and a delegate for the Delaware Electric Cooperative’s Rural Electric Washington Youth Tour. Johnson also spent many years as a 4-H club member and volunteer. Through 4-H, she earned many awards and was the Delaware 4-H Pollinator Ambassador. As a Girl Scout, Johnson earned her bronze and silver awards, as well.

Ruby Phillips of Georgetown received a $500 scholarship from the Sussex County Farm Bureau to benefit her elementary education and Spanish studies at Butler University. Phillips graduated from Sussex Academy, where her activities included choir and band. She took music lessons for 12 years, participated in her church youth group, played violin for the worship team and was presented the Overall Spirit Award through the Distinguished Young Women Class of 2023. Phillips spent her youth on the family farm where she worked the produce stand for several summers.