OABA Awards $55,000 in Scholarships

The Ohio AgriBusiness Association recently awarded $55,000 in scholarships to 36 students across Ohio through the OABA Educational Trust, the George Greenleaf Agri-Industry Endowment and the OABA Endowed Scholarship Fund. The OABA Educational Trust scholarship program annually awards scholarship dollars to students enrolled in an agriculture-related field attending The Ohio State University and Ohio State’s Agricultural Technical Institute, Clark State College and Wilmington College.

“Investing in students pursuing careers in agribusiness is an investment in the future strength of our industry,” said Melinda Witten, President and CEO of the Ohio AgriBusiness Association. “These scholarship recipients represent the talent, work ethic and leadership potential that will move Ohio our industry forward. We are honored to support their educational journey and look forward to the contributions they will make in the years ahead.”

OABA Educational Trust

The OABA Educational Trust scholarship fund is supported by donations from OABA member companies, and through three primary fundraising activities: two Golf for Scholarships outings and a Target: Scholarships sporting clays event.

The 2026 fundraising events will include the Golf for Scholarships outings on June 10 at Deer Ridge Golf Course in Bellville and August 12 at Shelby Oaks Golf Course in Sidney, as well as the Target: ScholarshipsSporting Clays event on September 11 at The Cardinal Center in Marengo. Proceeds from these events directly support future scholarship awards through the OABA Educational Trust.

This year, OABA awarded $28,000 in scholarships to the following individuals.

The Ohio State University Agricultural Technical Institute

• Garret Schlechter of Oberlin
• Noah Tietje of Deshler

The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences

• William Hendrickson of Bidwell  
• Megan Bouton of Westerville  
• Harrison Blay of Mogadore  
• Chase Baldwin of Cedarville  
• Jonathan Hilderbrand of South Charlston  
• Amanda Barrett of Rockford  
• Claire Brunson of Anna 
• Madison Caldwell of Leesburg  
• Izabella Gray of Quaker City  
• Jayden Hicks of Bradford  
• Trenton Horner of McCutchenville  
• Kathleen Woodruff of Wakemen  
• Margaret Schmitt of Toledo  
• Emma Higgins of Dover, Del.

Clark State Community College

• Karlie Palmer of South Vienna 
• Taryn Prince of Saint Paris  

Wilmington College

• Allison Fortney of Tiffin
• Emma Greve of Marysville
• Eli Hollingsworth of Quincy
• Tyson McElroy of Newark
• Hannah Roll of Urbana
• Alexa Ward of Norwalk
• Cody Workinger of Canal Fulton

George Greenleaf Agri-Industry Endowment

The George G. Greenleaf Agri-Industry Endowment was established in 1985 to recognize George Greenleaf during his 25 years as an association executive in the grain, feed, fertilizer and pesticide industries. The fund recognizes outstanding students with an interest in agribusiness.

This year, the George Greenleaf Agri-Industry Endowment awarded $11,200 in scholarships to the following individuals.

Clark State Community College

• David Norris of Xenia

The Ohio State University Agricultural Technical Institute

• David Raines of Seaman

The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences

• Amanda Barrett of Rockford  
• Claire Brunson of Anna 
• Margaret Schmitt of Toledo

Wilmington College

• Kaleigh Clark of South Solon
• Katelynn Dryer of Wilmington

OABA Endowed Scholarship Fund

The OABA Endowed Scholarship Fund, established through The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences, and through a $100,000 gift from the OABA and the OABA Educational Trust, provides financial support for Ohio State students working toward agricultural degrees and enrichment opportunities through their education.

The OABA Endowed Scholarship Fund awarded $10,000 in scholarships to the following individuals.

The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences

• Adam Meyer of Cygnet  
• Carley Miller of Pleasantville  
• Jack Monahan of Westerville  
• Skyler Zimmerman of Grafton (ATI)