By Blake Jackson
New York Farm Bureau announced the winners of its 2026 Agricultural Youth Scholarships, recognizing high school seniors planning careers in agriculture and related industries. The statewide scholarship competition honors students for leadership, academic achievement, agricultural involvement, and community service.
The first-place state winner is Carter Kuipers of Byron, New York. He received a $3,000 scholarship from the New York Farm Bureau along with a $250 District 2 scholarship. Kuipers is a member of the Genesee County Farm Bureau and attends Byron-Bergen Senior High School. He plans to study agricultural power machinery at SUNY Cobleskill with career goals related to diesel technology.
Kuipers has experience working on his family’s farms, caring for livestock, and maintaining farm equipment. He also served as FFA chapter secretary from 2022 through 2025 and participated in the 4-H Beef and Dairy Club for 10 years.
The second-place state winner is Mason Hill of Candor, New York. He received a $2,000 scholarship along with a $250 District 4 scholarship. Hill attends Owego Free Academy and plans to study animal science at Cornell University.
Hill manages cattle production on his family’s beef farm and participated in the Broome-Tioga BOCES Animal Science Program. He also served as FFA president, vice president, and treasurer while participating in varsity football and community service activities.
District scholarship winners also included Olivia Shawley, Mallory Brown, Brycen Aukema, Jocelyn Widrick, Gavin Yestemski, Aiden Swezey, Benjamin Walrath, Riley Mahaffey, and William Dupree.
The scholarship program continues encouraging students across New York to pursue careers in agriculture, conservation, agribusiness, engineering, dairy science, and environmental management while supporting the future of the agricultural industry.
Photo Credit: new-york-farm-bureau
Categories: New York, Business, Education