Avery Plote is first recipient of the DeKalb Ag Scholarship.
The DeKalb County Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture recently awarded 24 scholarships to deserving college students. The Foundation congratulates these students receiving Ag Discipline Scholarships, Orville A. Olson Ag Scholarship, Bob & Norma Wildenradt Ag Scholarship, Arden & Dorothy Baie Scholarships, Medical Scholarships, Robert Morley Science Scholarships and DeKalb Ag Scholarship.
The new DeKalb Ag Scholarship continues the legendary namesake of DeKalb Ag which was an important research company for agriculture and the local community.
Established under the auspices of the DeKalb County Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture, the first scholarship was presented recently to Avery Plote of rural Leland.
“I would like to thank the DeKalb County Farm Bureau Foundation along with those who played a crucial role in getting this scholarship started, such as past members of the DeKalb Ag Alumni and other community members,” said Avery.
“Scholarships are a great way to give back to the community, and I’m truly honored and humbled to have been selected for this one,” he said.
Through the generosity of the DeKalb Ag Alumni Association, former DeKalb Ag employees and the Farm Bureau Foundation, a fund was established last year with donations earmarked for college scholarships.
“Upon dissolution of the DeKalb Ag Alumni Association, the Board made a financial commitment to Farm Bureau’s scholarship program,” stated Tom Plote, past Alumni president.
Citing past historical connections between DeKalb Ag and Farm Bureau, Tom said, “We felt the best way we could honor the legacy of the DeKalb Ag Research name was with a college scholarship through Farm Bureau. We are thankful for the contributions from not only the Alumni but others who have made this scholarship a reality.”
Avery Plote is a sophomore at the University of Illinois majoring in agricultural education. In the future he hopes to become a high school agricultural teacher and FFA advisor.
This past year Avery served as Section 7 FFA President. “With all the time I’ve spent growing, learning and serving through FFA, I know the impact that Ag Ed can have on students.”
Throughout his young life, Avery has worked on his family’s grain and livestock farm with his parents Roy and Janet and brother Ethan.
Having received the DeKalb Ag Scholarship, Avery says, “I aim to work hard to ensure that this investment in me will give back to the industry we know and love!”
Help grow the DeKalb Ag Scholarship fund or other scholarship funds by donating to the DeKalb County Farm Bureau Foundation online: www.PlantALegacy.org or send donations to the Farm Bureau office.