Pictured Here: Grayson Erion, Lauren King, Mary Padavan, and Holly Niefergold.
NEAFA is proud to announce the winners of the 2022 Scholarship for Future Agriculturalists. NEAFA awards four $1000 scholarships to eligible high school seniors planning to pursue a field of study that will lead to a career in agriculture, with a specific emphasis on animal science, agronomy, agriculture education or agribusiness. The 2023 Winners include Lauren King, of Schuylerville, NY, Holly Niefergold from Lawtons, NY, and Mary Padavan from Seaford, NY, and Grayson Erion from Byron, NY. NEAFA wishes them well as they start the next step in their educational goals.
Lauren King– Schuylerville, NY
“I am a Senior at Schuylerville High School, and the daughter of Jeff and Becky King,” said King. “I am a part of Kings-Ransom Farm and King Brothers Dairy where I enjoy working with our cattle, working in our farm store, and helping with ice cream production. I am a member of the FFA, currently serving as the chapter Vice President, as well as being elected the Saratoga County Dairy Ambassador. I play basketball, volleyball, and lacrosse, while also participating in the Tri-County Jr. Holstein Club, Cornell Junior Dairy Leaders, and New York State Junior Holstein Executive Committee. I love the farm and especially showing my Holstein cattle. I’ve been showing at the Saratoga County Fair, Tri-County Jr. Holstein Show, and various other shows such as the New York State Spring Carousel, New York State Show, and World Dairy Expo for the last several years. I will also be furthering my studies at Cornell University majoring in Animal Science and plan to continue advocating for the agriculture industry.”
Holly Niefergold– Lawtons, NY
”I am the 18 year old daughter of David and Emily Niefergold,” said Niefergold. “I am a third generation dairy farmer, and I am a senior at North Collins Jr./Sr. High School. Being valedictorian of my class kept me busy with my studies, but I found time for extracurricular activities as well. I am active in FFA, 4-H, Junior Dairy Leaders, Senior High Band, Jazz Band, Dairy Ambassador Promotion, National Honor Society and I work multiple jobs. I work on my family’s and neighbors dairy and crop farms, the Erie County Agricultural Society. I have an internship with Northeast AgriSoultions Force and Milk for Health. I have a passion for agriculture and have become a great advocate through all of my experiences. Serving as Erie County Dairy Princess, New York State Alternate Dairy Princess, and Springville FFA Vice-President I have gained an incredible amount of communication and leadership skills. I want to continue advocating for the agricultural industry and further develop my skills. I plan on attending SUNY College of Agriculture and Technology at Cobleskill to pursue a degree in Agriculture Business Management.”
Mary Padavan– Seaford, NY
My name is Mary Padavan. I am a Senior at Seaford High School located in Nassau County on Long Island. I have been riding horses for 10 years. I have been attending the Horse Science and Management class through BOCES at LIU Post for the past two years. I am the Treasurer of our Future Farmers of America (FFA) club. I am a member of the National Technical Honor Society (NTHS), National Honor Society (NHS), 4-H, Girl Scouts and the International Order of the Rainbow for Girls. I volunteer at the New York Equestrian Center where I also take riding lessons, work, and participate in horse shows. When I am not at the barn, I enjoy taking care of our family pet bunny and guniea pig.
Grayson Erion– Byron, NY
Grayson has been involved in agriculture since she was 10 years old. The purchase of a flock of chickens when she was four years old began her family’s small farm. Her family added two lamancha dairy goats to the farm when she was 10 years old, and the herd currently consists of eleven Nigerian Dwarf dairy goats. Since the original purchase of the dairy goats, Grayson has learned more about the animals every day, and today manages the small herd almost entirely on her own. From daily care to barn management and breeding lineups, Grayson has been managing the herd for almost two years. She also works on a jersey dairy, where she discovered her love of cattle and the dairy industry as a whole. Working on this dairy, she learned to bottle feed calves, operate a milking machine, pull a calf, and other skills that have helped to make her who she is. Grayson also learned to show dairy cattle, and now shows dairy cattle along with her dairy goats. She participates in 4-H and shows her livestock at the Orleans County 4-H fair. She is also involved in student council, served as the Vice-President of her FFA chapter, and is in the National Honor Society. Grayson is a high-honor roll student and is graduating a year early with plans to attend SUNY Cobleskill to major in Animal Science, with plans to become an agriculture teacher.
For more information on the NEAFA Scholarship for Future Agriculturalists, visit http://www.nyffafoundation.org/neafa-scholarship.html