IAW honors female students advancing agriculture education and leadership
Illinois Agri Women has announced the recipients of its 2025 scholarships, recognizing four female students who are pursuing careers in agriculture. The organization supports agriculture education, promotes public awareness, and encourages leadership among women in the farming industry.
One $1,500 Helen Henert Agriculture Education Scholarship was awarded to a student completing an undergraduate degree in agriculture education. This scholarship supports future teachers who will prepare students for careers in farming, agribusiness, and agricultural leadership. This was awarded to Dana Merriman.
Three additional $1,000 Agent of Change Scholarships were awarded to students who participated in Women Changing the Face of Agriculture conferences. These scholarships recognize high school, college, and graduate students who show leadership and dedication to agricultural careers.
Two of the scholarships are memorial awards honoring women who made lasting contributions to farming and community service. One memorial, the Phyllis Johnson Memorial Scholarship, recognizes a woman who worked alongside her family in crop and livestock production while also supporting youth programs, community leadership, and education. Her dedication to family farms and youth development created opportunities for young women to succeed in agriculture. This was awarded to Hannah Miller.
The second memorial scholarship is the Joan Loeb Memorial Scholarship, which honors a woman who developed a passion for farming later in life. She invested in farmland, learned about crop production and soil management, and promoted public understanding of modern agriculture. Her family continues her legacy by supporting young women studying agriculture. Libby Larkin was awarded that scholarship,
The 2025 memorial scholarship recipients include students studying agribusiness, animal science, agronomy, and agriculture education. One recipient is focusing on improving livestock genetics and promoting sustainable farming practices. Another is preparing for a career in precision agriculture, aiming to help farmers reduce costs and improve productivity. A third recipient is continuing graduate studies in agriculture education to expand learning opportunities through dual credit programs and community college partnerships.
Emma Ennis also received a $1,000 Scholarship.
Illinois Agri Women stated that these scholarships encourage leadership, education, and service while strengthening the future of farming. The organization remains committed to empowering young women and supporting agriculture education across the state.
These awards help ensure that the next generation of agricultural leaders is prepared to guide farming, agribusiness, and rural communities into the future.
Photo Credit: IAW-Logo-Green