2024 Scholarship

The Maryland Grain Producers are offering a total of $15,000 through seven scholarships for the 2024-2025 school year. The online application is now closed. Recipients will be selected with all personal information redacted and announced at the 2024 Maryland Commodity Classic on July 25th. The 2025-2026 scholarship will open in November of 2024 if you are interested in being the first to know, please contact our team.

2024 Scholarship Offerings

Maryland Grain Honoree Scholarship

Representing farmers who were the backbone of the Maryland Grain Producers in 1991, the Maryland Grain Producers Association is awarding three scholarships up to $3,000 each. By completing this online application, you will be eligible for one of the four National Corn Growers Scholarships. The requirements to be eligible are below.

  • Applicant or immediate family member, must be a member of the Maryland Grain Producers Association/National Corn Growers Association.
  • Must be attending a secondary education school studying agriculture or working towards a degree to directly benefit the agriculture industry.
  • Recipients are only eligible to receive a Maryland Grain Producers Scholarship two times.
  • Family members may not have requested MD grain checkoff refunds in the last 12 months.
  • Must submit – personal and educational information, membership number, and complete two essay questions. One question is required, then you are able to choose one of two questions to complete.
Maryland Grain Membership Scholarship

To provide an additional benefit to Maryland Grain Producers members, we are offering two scholarships up to $2,000 each for children of our members attending a secondary education institute, with any major. By completing this online application, you will be eligible for one of the four National Corn Growers Scholarships. The requirements to be eligible are below.

  • Applicant or immediate family member, must be a member of the Maryland Grain Producers Association/National Corn Growers Association.
  • Must be attending a secondary education school (a two-year or four-year college), with any area of study.
  • Recipients are only eligible to receive a Maryland Grain Producers Scholarship two times.
  • Family members may not have requested MD grain checkoff refunds in the last 12 months.
  • Must submit – personal and educational information, provide a reference, and complete the two essay questions.
Maryland Grain Production Scholarship

Welcoming students who do not come from a grain production farm, for the second year the Maryland Grain Producers Association is offering two scholarships up to $1,000 each for non-members attending a secondary education school and studying agriculture. The requirements to be eligible are below.

  • Must be attending a secondary education school (a two-year or four-year college) studying agriculture or working towards a degree that directly benefits the industry.
  • Recipients are only eligible to receive a Maryland Grain Producers Scholarship two times.
  • Must reside in Maryland, but may attend any college.
  • Must submit – personal and educational information, provide a reference, and complete two essay questions. One question is required, then you are able to choose one of two questions to complete.

2023 Maryland Grain Producers Scholarship Recipients

To support the next generation in agriculture, the Maryland Grain Producers expanded their previous scholarship program to include not only member families studying agriculture but also member families attending college, in addition to non-member families with students studying agriculture. Maryland Grain Producers Association President, Justin Brendel, said “The grain producers are honored to provide financial assistance to our member families and welcome students passionate about studying agriculture.” Our board agreed to fund seven students a total of $15,000 in scholarships. Through our annual scholarship program which began in 1991, over $230,000 has been awarded to 75 students toward the future of agriculture.

Maryland Grain Honoree Scholarship

Chad Patterson – raised on a dairy and grain farm in Chestertown, Maryland, Chad Patterson is an incoming Senior at Purdue University. At Purdue, Chad is working towards a degree in Agriculture Systems Management to bring efficiency back to the family’s multi-generational farm. In Indiana Chad has been involved in the Dairy Club, Agriculture Systems Management Club, and the Agriculture Tech and Innovation Club. In 2020, Chad graduated from Queen Anne’s County High School where he was involved in Varsity sports, the FFA Chapter, and the National Honors Society.

Parker Miller – a 2022 graduate from Kent County High School and completed his first year at the Institute of Applied Agriculture at the University of Maryland this year, majoring in Agribusiness. Parker became a member of the Alpha Gamma Rho, Alpha Theta Chapter, and was elected as Vice Noble Ruler, House Management and Operations as a freshman. Aside from college, he works at three different farming operations; his family’s grain farm, a dairy farm, and an organic row crop farm. Parker was raised on his family’s farm in Kennedyville, Maryland, and intends to return to the farm after graduation.

Sydney Garner – a Senior at the University of Kentucky, Sydney Garner is studying Agriculture Ecosystem Sciences. Currently, Sydney is involved with the University’s Sigma Alpha Agricultural Sorority where she aids the planning of professional development activities promoting agriculture education. Sydney was raised on her family’s grain farm in Newburg, Maryland, and was actively involved in Charles County 4-H and Charles County Farm Bureau. After graduation, Sydney plans to work with 4-H through Extension.

Maryland Grain Membership Scholarship

Dylan Patterson – a 2023 graduate from Queen Anne’s County High School and intends to pursue a degree in mechanical engineering. Prior to graduation, Dylan was an active member of the QACHS baseball team and has been an active 4-H member showing beef, dairy, and swine for many years. Aside from the academic and 4-H careers, Dylan helps on his family’s grain and dairy farm in Chestertown, Maryland, and also works for another local farmer.

Tawney Nelson – attending East Carolina University this fall pursuing a bachelor’s degree in nursing. As a 2023 graduate from the Holly Grove Christian School in Westover, Maryland, Tawney was a member of the National Honors Society and an active member of her high school’s track and field, cheerleading, and field hockey teams. Outside of school, Tawney has volunteered with her local Young Farmers chapter by fundraising for local scholarships and community needs. After graduation, Tawney hopes to pursue her nursing career by working with infants. 

Maryland Grain Production Scholarship

Emily Crossley – pursuing a bachelor’s degree in agriculture education, Emily Crossley of Sudlersville, Maryland will be attending West Virginia University this fall. During her time at Queen Anne’s County High School, Emily was an active member of their FFA chapter. National Honor Society, National Art Honor Society, Interact Club, and Women’s Varsity Tennis Team. Emily credits the agriculture education program for her career choice and hopes to become an agriculture teacher after graduation.

Kaitlyn Bradley – a sophomore at the University of Delaware, Kaitlyn Bradley is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Agriculture and Natural Resources with a minor in Animal Science. While at college, Kaitlyn is a member of the NESA livestock judging team, animal science club, member of Sigma Alpha, and Ag Ambassador. Aside from her academic career, Kaitlyn was the Dorchester County Farm Bureau Ambassador, Caroline/Dorchester County Fair Queen, and was the first runner-up for the Maryland Dairy Princess contest. This summer, Kaitlyn is completing an internship with Smithfield Pork Industry in North Carolina. Kaitlyn plans to pursue a degree in agriculture education after graduation.