Fran Benne | Agronomy and Horticulture
University of Nebraska–Lincoln agronomy students Michaela Cunningham, Rodger Farr, Kolby Grint and Samantha Teten were awarded scholarships in May by the American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America, and Soil Science Society of America. Cunningham, Farr and Grint were awarded Golden Opportunity (GO) Scholarships and Teten a Greenfield Scholarship.
Undergraduate scholars go through an application process and are selected based on their academic achievements and interest in agronomy, crop and soil sciences. All expenses are paid to attend the ASA, CSSA, and SSSA Annual Meetings and participate in sessions designed specifically for the scholars.
The scholars will be matched with mentors at the beginning of the societies Annual Meetings and acknowledged at an awards program during the event. This year’s ASA and CSSA Annual Meeting will take place Nov. 4–7 in Baltimore, Maryland. Scholars will also receive a free, one-year membership into the societies.
Two to four GO Scholars from each class are selected and invited to attend Congressional Visits Day the following spring with all expenses paid. The Congressional Visits Day is an annual event held in Washington, D.C., which brings graduate students, scientists and society members to Capitol Hill to raise awareness and advocate for food, agricultural and natural resources research.
The GO Scholarship program is supported by the Golden Opportunity Fund through the Agronomic Science Foundation.
Greenfield Scholars are specific GO Scholars who participate in a similar program. The program is sponsored by ASA and the International Certified Crop Adviser program. Greenfield Scholars intend on entering the workforce after graduation and have an interest in a CCA certification. They will receive all the benefits of GO Scholars and network with a mentor who’s a working professional and CCA from the same geographical region. They will have the opportunity to attend a local meeting or conference of professional interest with their mentor. All Greenfield Scholars are invited to attend Congressional Visits Day with all expenses paid.
Cunningham grew up on a farm west of Fullerton, Nebraska, where she was active in FFA throughout high school and is currently a member of the Agronomy Club, Range Club, and Engler Entrepreneurship Program.
Farr was raised on a farm near Curtis, Nebraska, where he was active in FFA and is currently an Agronomy Club officer and a member of the Crops Judging and Weed Science Teams. He was instrumental in planning the 2018 SASES convention hosted by Nebraska in Lincoln this April.
Grint is from Sargent, Nebraska, where he worked on his grandfather’s farm/ranch and was involved in FFA in high school. He currently serves as treasurer for both the Agronomy Club and the Soil Judging Team and is a member of the Crops Judging Team. Grint is a SASES 2018 representative and was in charge of planning the conference this spring in Lincoln. He’s also a teaching assistant for several agronomy classes.
Teten grew up on a corn and soybean farm in southeast Nebraska and was active in 4-H and FFA in high school. She has served as an Agronomy Club officer and played an integral role in organizing and implementing the SASES 2018 conference. She is a member of the Crops Judging, Soils Judging and Weed Science Teams. Teten also serves as a teaching assistant for several agronomy classes.
Find more information about the programs on the Golden Opportunity Scholars website.