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2023 Scholarship Winners 2023 Scholarship Winners

Farm Credit Associations of Oklahoma Presents Five $1,000 Scholarships

Five outstanding Oklahoma State University's Ferguson College of Agriculture Students Awarded Scholarships

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Farm Credit of Western Oklahoma

Marketing and Communications

WOODWARD – MARCH 7, 2023 – Farm Credit Associations of Oklahoma is pleased to award five junior and senior students enrolled in Oklahoma State University’s (OSU) Ferguson College of Agriculture with $1,000 scholarships.  The 2023 recipients of the Farm Credit Associations of Oklahoma Scholarship are:  Victoria Gerken, Kingfisher, Okla.; Caden Church, Sentinel, Okla.; Braden Heisler, Waukomis; Kallie Clifton, Soper, Okla.; and Tony (Anthony) Caruso, Benicia, CA.

“On behalf of the Farm Credit Associations of Oklahoma, congratulations to these five outstanding students.  When it comes to supporting young people involved in agriculture, Farm Credit is all in,” said Chancey Hanson, Marketing Specialist for Farm Credit of Western Oklahoma.  “The students were selected based upon their application and a short essay. We are so happy to play a small role in futures of these bright and impressive young adults.”

Victoria Gerken

Victoria Gerken grew up in Kingfisher, Okla. on her family’s farm.  She is a senior at OSU pursuing a degree in Animal Science with an emphasis in Biotechnology and a minor in Microbiology. Gerken is currently working as an Undergraduate Teaching Assistant for two classes along with a job as a Pharmacy Technician.  Gerken stays involved in campus activities such as:  OSU Homecoming Steering Committee; Ferguson College of Agriculture Ambassador, and Ferguson College of Agriculture Student Council Representative.  She was selected as an OSU PLC Member and Scholarship Recipient and was named on the OSU Dean’s Honor Roll.

Caden Church

Caden Church, a senior at OSU, is a native of Sentinel, Okla.  He is pursuing a degree in Animal Science with an emphasis on livestock production and merchandising.  In addition to running a small herd of cows and does and operating his own business – Church Livestock -- he is currently a member of the OSU Livestock Judging Team and judged at Redlands before transferring to OSU. In addition to competing collegiately, he has had opportunities to judge 12 livestock shows in multiple states.  Church was selected as a PLC Scholar, and was selected as Redlands Ag Student of the Year in 2022.

Braden Heisler

Waukomis native, Braden Heisler is a junior at OSU pursuing a degree in Agribusiness.  Heisler is a member of the FarmHouse Fraternity, the OSU Student Government Association, OSU Student Foundation, Greek Wide Student Ministry and has earned a spot on the President’s Leadership Council.  In addition, Heisler served at the Northwest Area Vice President for the Oklahoma FFA Association and was an OSU Freshman Research Scholar.

Kallie Clifton

Kallie Clifton hails from Soper, Okla., and is a senior at OSU working toward a degree in Agribusiness.  She completed her Associate’s Degree at Eastern Oklahoma State College.  Clifton has roots on her family’s farm, but is also involved in campus activities such as OSU Aggie X, OSU Ranch Horse Team, Oklahoma Collegiate Farm Bureau and 4-H Key Club.  Clifton was recognized as an OSU Senior of Significance, inducted into the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society and was selected for the Ferguson College of Agriculture – Outstanding Transfer Student. 

Tony (Anthony) Caruso

A native of Benicia, California, Tony Caruso is pursuing a degree in Agribusiness and expecting to graduate this coming May.  Tony is currently an undergraduate teaching assistant and worked as a Rural Scholar for OSU’s Rural Renewal Initiative.  Caruso was recognized as Transfer Student of Excellence and is involved in: Aggie X; Agricultural Economic Academic Quiz Bowl Team; Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow; International Leadership Association and several others.

The Farm Credit associations in Oklahoma serve every part of agriculture, from small to large operations and everything in between. Through good times and bad, Farm Credit associations are part of the rural communities we serve. Our cooperatives are governed by Boards of Directors who understand agriculture because they are farmers and ranchers, too.  As part of our mission to support rural communities, we actively support agricultural organizations and youth programs with donations of time and money.

Contact your local lending office to learn how they can help you finance your agricultural operation or rural lifestyle.  Find a complete listing of Farm Credit offices in Oklahoma at www.okfarmcredit.com.

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