SCHOLARSHIPS & AWARDS
Scholarship Opportunities - Closed for 2023
Scholarships
(1) Norma O'Leary Agriculture Scholarship - $500 for a student pursuing a post-secondary technical or college career in agriculture
(1) Linda B. Krause Conservation Scholarship - $500 for a student pursuing a post-secondary technical school or college career in conservation
Program Guidelines & Priorities
- Eligible students include graduating high school seniors pursuing a career in agriculture or conservation and technical or college students currently matriculated in a conservation or agriculture degree program in Connecticut. Applicants who are graduating high school seniors should demonstrate participation in after school activities related to agriculture or conservation.
- Applicants must have a minimum GPA of 2.5, a total family annual income under $200,000, and plan to pursue a 2- or 4- year agriculture or conservation program at a post-secondary technical school, college, or university in Connecticut.
- Applicants who are graduating high school seniors must have the endorsement of their Guidance Counselor on their application attesting they meet the eligibility requirements for this scholarship program.
For more information and to download the application package, click the button below or contact Jocelyn Lahey at jlahey@ctrcd.org
Awards for Excellence in Agriculture and Conservation - Closed for 2023
Linda B. Krause Award for Excellence in Conservation Collaboration
The CT RC&D Excellence in Conservation Collaboration Award is given in honor of Linda B. Krause, a longtime government leader, conservationist, environmentalist, and local and regional land use planner. Linda was a determined and artful advocate for collaboration between government officials, conservation organizations, and grassroots volunteers in Connecticut. Trained as a soil scientist, a professional planner, and facilitator, Linda worked to bring people together in pursuit of land use based on conservation, collaboration, knowledge, and cooperation between the community and the land that supports the community.
Norma O'Leary Award for Excellence in Agriculture Innovation
The CT RC&D Excellence in Agriculture Innovation Award is given in honor of Norma O’Leary, an active and dynamic longtime dairy farmer, tireless volunteer, friend, former CT RC&D Council Member, and champion of local agriculture in Connecticut. To list Norma’s long list of agricultural and conservation leadership roles would be impressive enough; past President of Connecticut Farm Bureau, Council Member of CT RC&D, Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, Eastern Connecticut Conservation District, and founding member of Thompson Together. Her diligence in rallying support for initiatives that raise the profile of agriculture and make our communities more vibrant continues to be an inspiration. Norma was the inspiration and driving force behind the AGvocate Program, which has been responsible for the proliferation of local Agricultural Commissions across Connecticut. Beyond all of this, she remains the matriarch and the rock of Fort Hill Farms, one of the most prominent dairy farms in the state and a member of Cabot Cheese and the Farmer’s Cow.
2023 Scholarship & Award Recipients
Norma O'Leary Agriculture Scholarship
2023 - Amy Wiknik of Higganum, CT
Linda B. Krause Award for Excellence in Conservation Collaboration
2023 - Amy Bly Paterson and Aaron Lefland, Connecticut Land Conservation Council ctconservation.org
Norma O'Leary Award for Excellence in Agriculture Innovation
2023 - Keith Bishop, Bishop’s Orchards, Farm Market & Winery bishopsorchards.com
Past Scholarship & Award Recipients
Norma O'Leary Agriculture Scholarship
2022 - Chase Young of Woodstock, CT
2019 - Alyssa Hotchkiss of Colebrook, CT
Linda B. Krause Award for Excellence in Conservation Collaboration
2019 - Laurie Giannotti, Trails and Greenways Program Coordinator for CT DEEP
2018 - John Hall, Director of The Jonah Center
Linda B. Krause Conservation Scholarship
2022 - Rachael Trowbridge of Hampton, CT
2019 - Savannah Hoy of Lebanon, CT
CT RC&D Council Special Recognition Scholarship
2022 - Julia Steuerwald of Middletown, CT
2022 - Alyssa Hotchkiss of Colebrook, CT