2024 CTAEF Scholarship Recipients announced!

Connecticut Agricultural Education Foundation Awards Three Scholarships

The Connecticut Agricultural Education Foundation was excited to award three scholarships in 2024 to the following deserving Connecticut students.

Griffin Mandirola, of Suffield, Conn., was awarded a $1,250 scholarship. Griffin graduated from Suffield High School this spring and will attend the University of Connecticut this fall to study Agricultural Economics and Natural Resources. Griffin has been involved in FFA and 4-H while also being student athlete with numerous accolades in track and cross country. He has grown up on his family’s organic vegetable farm and also raised goats and sheep. Griffin wants to pursue a career as a farm operator and business owner.

Joanna Turner, of Meriden, Conn., was awarded a $1,000 scholarship. Joanna graduated from Lyman Hall High School and graduated from the University of Connecticut majoring in Animal Science and Agriculture Natural Resources with a minor in Food Science this spring. She will be beginning her graduate degree at UCONN in Curriculum and Instruction for Agricultural Education. Joanna has participated in FFA and earned the American FFA degree and previously served as the CT State Secretary. Joanna wants to pursue a career as an agricultural educator.

Dana Saccardi, of Cornwall, Conn., was awarded a $750 scholarship. Dana graduated from Housatonic Valley Regional High School this spring and will be attending the University of Connecticut this fall. Dana has participated in Envirothon, FFA and did agriscience research on integrated plant systems. Additionally, she is a member of the Cornwall Agricultural Commission. She wants to pursue a career that allows her to help preserve the agricultural environment. Congratulations to each of the 2024 recipients and best of luck in your future endeavors! The 2025 Scholarship application will be posted on our website and Facebook page on 3/15/2025. We will be accepting applications through 6/15/2025. For more information on the Connecticut Agricultural Education Foundation visit.

2023 CTAEF Scholarship Recipients

The Connecticut Agricultural Education Foundation was excited to award four scholarships in 2023 to the following deserving Connecticut students.

Matthew Syrotiak, of Bethlehem, Conn., was awarded a $1,000 scholarship. Matthew graduated from Nonnewaug High School in 2021 and currently attends UCONN majoring in Animal Science. Matthew has been a leader in the Connecticut FFA Association as their National Officer Candidate and National 4-H as a representative on a National Board. At UCONN, Matthew has been a student worker in the Academic Programs Office and at the Kellogg Dairy Center. He has also been a member of the UCONN 4-H Dairy judging team, 4-H Teen Council and UConn Dairy Club. When he is not educating others he is home at the farm, part owner of Cabin Acres Farm and is a student member of the Connecticut Farm Bureau. He wants to pursue a career as an agricultural or extension educator.

En-Ming Holtz, of East Lyme, Conn., was awarded a $750 scholarship. En-Ming graduated from East Lyme High School this spring and is attending Cornell University this fall with a major in Animal Science. En-Ming participates in 4-H and has won numerous awards in breed shows and showmanship along with honey and photography. En-Ming volunteers for the East Lyme Giving Garden and New London County 4-H Fair Board. En-Ming wants to pursue a career as a large animal vet.

En-Ming Holtz (Left) and Matthew Syrotiak (Right) with Martha Johnson, CTAEF President (center)

Alyssa Tatro, of Canaan, Conn., was awarded a $500 scholarship. Alyssa graduated from Housatonic Valley Regional High School this spring and is attending State University of New York Cobleskill. Alyssa participates in is the Housatonic FFA chapter and is currently the chapter President along with the Veterinary Science CDE. She currently works at a small horse farm in Falls Village, CT. She wants to pursue a career as an agricultural educator.

Amy Wiknik, of Middletown, Conn., was awarded a $500 scholarship. Amy graduated from Middletown High School this spring and is attending UCONN this fall as a STEM Scholar. Amy works on a horse farm Bear Paw Barn. Amy has held two FFA Officer positions – President and Secretary and also was an FFA Agriscience Fair National Finalist in 2021. She is currently the Middlesex and New Haven County 4-H President and won the 4-H Leader Award for Middlesex and New Haven County in 2020. Amy also is a member of the American Rabbit Breeders Association.  She wants to pursue a career as a farm manager/owner.

 

Congratulations to each of these deserving students and best of luck in your future endeavors!

AmazonSmile

Do you shop on Amazon? If so, did you know that Amazon now offers the AmazonSmile program, which donates 0.5% of the price of your eligible AmazonSmile purchases to a charitable organization of your choice… and CTAEF is one of those charitable organizations! So please considering making your future purchases through AmazonSmile and selecting the Connecticut Agricultural Education Foundation as your charitable organization of choice. AmazonSmile links right up to your existing Amazon account, and once set up, you’ll be prompted to shop on AmazonSmile versus Amazon every time you visit Amazon.com and CTAEF will already be set up as your recipient. Happy shopping!

White-Reinhardt Fund for Education

The White-Reinhardt Fund for Education is a special project of the American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture® (AFBFA) in collaboration with the American Farm Bureau® Women’s Leadership Committee. The two components of this program include the educator’s scholarship and the Mini-Grant program. Click here to learn more about these opportunities.

CTAEF is on Facebook! Check us out here!