Twelve Local Students Awarded Scholarship from AgCredit
AgCredit has announced the recipients of its 2026 Joe Leiser Memorial Scholarships. The scholarship program honors Joe Leiser, AgCredit’s first president and CEO, who was known for his deep-rooted passion for agriculture and his commitment to doing what was right for farmers. Each year, the program awards scholarships to dependent family members of AgCredit voting stockholders who are pursuing degrees in agriculture or related community-supported fields.
This year, AgCredit dedicated $25,000 to distribute between all recipients to support their educational goals during the 2026–2027 academic year. AgCredit congratulates the following students:
Caroline Bryan of Hancock County will attend The Ohio State University, majoring in Animal Science with a minor in Communications.
Paige Courtad of Hardin County will attend the University of Findlay, majoring in Nursing.
Madalynn Gillmor of Seneca County will attend Bowling Green State University, majoring in Early Childhood Education.
Logan McCown of Morrow County will attend The Ohio State University, majoring in Agronomy.
Elyssa Renner of Van Wert County will attend Wright State University, majoring in Agriculture Business.
Aleyse Siefert of Crawford County will attend The Ohio State University ATI, majoring in Animal Science with a minor in Agricultural Business.
Audrey Smith of Lorain County will attend Ohio Wesleyan University, majoring in Education with a minor in Sports Management.
Taylor Smith of Huron County will attend Ashland University, majoring in Finance with a minor in Accounting.
Logan Snavely of Seneca County will attend The Ohio State University, majoring in Agriculture Business with a minor in Agronomy.
Gracie Stirm of Marion will attend the University of Northwestern Ohio, majoring in Agribusiness Management.
Brogan Michael Weston of Marion will attend Taylor University, majoring in Mechanical Engineering with minors in Biology and Chemistry.
Natalie Williams of Union County will attend West Virginia University, majoring in Animal and Nutritional Sciences.
“Investing in students is an investment in the future of our industry,” said President and CEO Brian Ricker. “These scholarship recipients embody the dedication, resilience, and integrity that drive meaningful progress in agriculture. By supporting their educational journeys, we are helping cultivate the next generation of leaders who will carry our mission forward and make a lasting impact in their communities.”