Scholarship Opportunities
The application period for the CT RC&D 2026 Scholarship Program has now closed. We thank all students who applied for this year's opportunity!
The scholarship program is open to graduating high school seniors and students attending a post-secondary technical school, college, or university in Connecticut.
Application Period: Now Closed!
Norma O'Leary Agriculture Scholarship
$750 for a student pursuing a post-secondary technical or college education in agriculture
Linda B. Krause Conservation Scholarship
$750 for a student pursuing a post-secondary technical or college education in conservation
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. Norma's long list of agricultural and conservation leadership roles include: 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 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.
2026 Scholarship & Award Recipients
Linda B. Krause Award for Excellence in Conservation Collaboration
→ Margo Burns, Senior Environmental Planner, River COG
In her work with the Lower Connecticut River Valley Council of Governments, Margot is responsible for natural hazard mitigation, aquatic invasive species, recreational trails and greenways/blueways, and open space, conservation, and forestry initiatives. She serves as Secretary for CT RC&D, and has been on the CT RC&D Council for 17 years. She has served as a Director for the Friends of Connecticut State Parks and a member of the Lower Connecticut River Land Trust, as well as an advisory council member for the Connecticut Land Conservation Council, Resilient East Haddam, and Connecticut National Estuarine Research Reserve, and on the Chester Conservation Commission, to name a few.
Linda B. Krause Conservation Scholarship
→ Abigail Bernstein, Master's Student, Yale School of the Environment
Abigail is pursuing further education in conservation to expand her impact on both the environment and the communities in which she lives and works. She graduated from the University of Connecticut, which provided the foundation to enter the workforce. Between her work with the Eightmile River Watershed Wild & Scenic and volunteer service on her local Conservation Commission, Abigail has learned the value of collaboration in addressing complex environmental challenges. Abigal aims to strengthen her technical, policy, and interdisciplinary skills while at Yale to eventually create lasting, equitable, and scientifically grounded change.
Norma O'Leary Award for Excellence in Agriculture Innovation
→ Alex Carpenter & Yoko Takemura, Assawaga Farm
Assawaga Farm is a Certified Organic vegetable farm located in Connecticut’s “Quiet Corner” in Putnam. The farm grows a diverse array of vegetables, herbs, flowers, and fruits, with a special emphasis on Japanese varieties. Founded by Yoko Takemura and Alex Carpenter in 2016, the farm reflects their shared commitment to sustainable agriculture and resilient food systems. In partnership with Connecticut RC&D, Assawaga Farm has implemented several climate-smart initiatives, including solar installation through the CT Farm Energy Program/ USDA REAP grant.
Norma O'Leary Agriculture Scholarship
→ Meredith Cope, Senior at Middletown High School
Meredith will be attending SUNY Cobleskill Ag & Tech studying Animal Science. She was an active participant in Future Farmers for America, earning several awards including the State Champion and Silver Medal for the Livestock Judging Team, Green Hand Degree, and Chapter Degree. She was also on the Connecticut 4-H team that won the Public Presentation Speaking award and placed for the Eastern National 4-H Horse Roundup. Meredith intends to pursue a veterinary degree to care for animals and show support, respect, and understanding to producers who she will help.
2025 Scholarship & Award Recipients
Linda B. Krause Award for Excellence in Conservation Collaboration
→ Pat Young, Salmon River Watershed Partnership and Eightmile River Watershed Partnership
Pat has long been a partner and colleague for the CT RC&D team, always bringing great ideas to the table. She was instrumental in CT RC&D's work to form the hydrilla collaborative and she and Jeanne Davies were the visionaries for the Air Line State Park Trail Master Plan and Alliance formation. Pat has served on countless Environmental Review Teams and is a friendly resource and wealth of information to all. Pat's professional career working to protect the State of Connecticut's natural resources spans nearly 40 years.
Linda B. Krause Conservation Scholarship
→ Fejzo Daniel Akaratovic of Wethersfield
Fezjo Daniel is a rising junior at UCONN Storrs in the Ag & Natural Resources track studying wildlife conservation. His primary goal is to conserve wild places and their inhabitants to give back to the community. His goal is to conserve wildlands and wildlife to ensuring everyone has the same access to these resources for many generations. Fejzo Daniel has a love for the outdoors and is a Conservation Education Trapping Certified Instructor as well as certified in Firearms & Archery Hunting. He was very active in the Future Farmers of America program serving as Glastonbury Chapter President, Co-Treasurer, and Student Advisor.
Norma O'Leary Award for Excellence in Agriculture Innovation
→ Steve Munno, Massaro Community Farm, Woodbridge, CT
CT RC&D has worked over the years with Steve and Massaro Community Farm through our CT Soil Health Initiative in hosting on-farm workshops, creating a video about the farm through the Greater New Haven Farm project, and receiving a CT RC&D Climate Smart Agriculture Grant to implement soil health practices. Many know him as Farmer Steve, and he always puts community at the center of his work and life. His passion for inclusivity, kindness, and community shines through in all that he does. With a Certificate in Climate Change and Health from the Yale School of Public Health, Steve is a regional advocate for sustainable farming and ecological practices. As a co-founder of the New CT Farmer Alliance, Steve has also since 2012 served on the Connecticut chapter of the Northeast Organic Farming Association board, serving as Board President from 2018 to 2023.
Norma O'Leary Agriculture Scholarship
→ Faith Wendus of Vernon, CT
Faith is a senior at Rockville Highs School in their FFA and ASTE program. Faith has volunteered her time to the Luts Children's Museum, Santa's House is Coming to Town, and the Future Farmers of America. Faith is a resilient and compassionate person. She is inspired by her love for animals and the healthcare workers that made a lasting impression while caring for her father. Faith is pursuing a degree in Animal Science to make a difference in the life of animals by providing medical care for them and hope and kindness to their people. Faith looks forward to the challenges to come in pursuing her degree and especially for animal biology, veterinary technology, animal nutrition, and clinical experiences.
2024 Scholarship & Award Recipients
Linda B. Krause Award for Excellence in Conservation Collaboration
→ Dr. Randolph Steinen, Retired Professor, UCONN Department of Geology
Randy Steinen has described geology as both his hobby and passion. He received his training at the University of California-Riverside and Brown University, where he earned his Ph.D. Randy worked as an exploration geologist at the Marathon Oil Company, and with the U.S. Geological Survey. He also taught at California State University-Fresno and at UCONN, retiring in 2002. Currently, Randy is a Retired Professor of Geology at the University of Connecticut and a volunteer with the Connecticut Geological and Natural History Survey.
Linda B. Krause Conservation Scholarship
→ Rhiannon Martin, CSU Student
Rhiannon attends Connecticut State University at Three Rivers and is pursuing a degree in Environmental Engineering. Rhiannon is passionate about learning how humans interface with the natural environment and hopes to work toward re-establishing migratory fish habitat and help monitor marine fisheries populations.
Norma O'Leary Award for Excellence in Agriculture Innovation
→ Jared McCool of Steadfast Farms, Bethlehem, CT
CT RC&D has a long history of working with Jared through our CT Farm Energy Program and the FarmUP/Veteran FarmUP programs. We collaborated to form the Connecticut Chapter of Farmer Veteran Coalition, and we continue to promote the CT Veteran Grown brand. In 2017, after an honorable discharge from the US Marine Corps, Jared embarked on a new mission: farming. Farming was not just a career change; it was a continuation of his service domestically, embodying the same values of dedication, resilience, and mission accomplishment that he learned in the military. Through farming, he continues to serve his community with the same dedication and sense of duty that defined military service, embodying the ethos of "Semper Fidelis" - always faithful.
Norma O'Leary Agriculture Scholarship
→ Jacqueline Tran of Waterford, CT
Jacqueline is a Senior at Waterford High School and will be attending the University of Hartford to study biochemistry with a focus on agriculture. Jacqueline's goals are to work on pollution, fertilization, water abundance, and climate.
2023 Scholarship & Award Recipients
Linda B. Krause Award for Excellence in Conservation Collaboration
→ Amy Blaymore Paterson and Aaron Lefland, Connecticut Land Conservation Council
Amy and Aaron are recognized for promoting land use conservation planning and its role in sustainably-built affordable housing in Connecticut. They worked with emerging research and built burgeoning partnerships to hold a summit on housing and conservation which promoted creative thinking and advocacy toward conservation-based affordable housing. While land conservation and affordable housing are often pitted against one another, Connecticut communities need both. The 2023 Summit on Housing and Conservation brought together over 100 attendees representing the numerous partners needed for this discussion to be productive. While there is extensive work to be accomplished in land conservation and affordable housing, Amy and Aaron transformed the discussions by exploring new concepts and ideas to improve CT affordable housing future.
Norma O'Leary Award for Excellence in Agriculture Innovation
→ Keith Bishop, Bishop's Orchards Farm Market and Winery
B.W. Bishop & Sons, Inc. is a family-owned and operated farm corporation, doing business as Bishop's Orchards. The current management of the farm is split between Keith and Jonathan as co-CEO's, and team managers are responsible for daily operations. One reason for the farm's success is the diversity of crops grown. Keith started Bishop's Orchards Winery in November 2005 and uses fruits grown on the farm to produce over 15 fruit wines. A CSA "Community Supported Agriculture" program was born in 2011 to provide weekly shares of the farm's fruits and vegetables to those in the region. Keith was the visionary behind several energy efficiency upgrade projects at the farm as well as installing renewable energy on the farm. There are two solar arrays on the property, and the combined systems are expected to produce 80% of the farm's annual electric usage.
Norma O'Leary Agriculture Scholarship
→ Amy Wiknik of Higganum, CT
Amy Wiknik grew up on a 120 acre farm in Higganum and became involved with 4H in middle school, competing at local fairs and competitions across New England. Following in her late father's footsteps she attended the agriculture program at Middletown High School, exceling with high marks. By the end of her freshman year, she received the Star Greenhand award during the annual FFA banquet. She earned the Connecticut State Star in Agribusiness for developing a rabbit and poultry business on her family's farm. A student at the University of Connecticut, Amy aspires to serve as the Connecticut State FFA Officer so she can continue to serve the agricultural community. She is interested in working with underserved youth to ensure the continued success of agriculture in Connecticut.