Sarah Beth Kersey, of Swainsboro, and Lawson Mercer, of Twin City, have been selected to receive scholarships from the Georgia Foundation for Agriculture (GFA). Kersey is one of 10 rising college juniors or seniors statewide selected to receive a $2,000 scholarship. Mercer is one of 10 graduating high school seniors selected to receive a $3,000 scholarship.
The scholarships recognize deserving and outstanding students who are pursuing a degree in agriculture or an ag-related degree at a college in the University System of Georgia, Berry College or Emmanuel College.
“The Georgia Foundation for Agriculture is committed to supporting Georgia’s next generation of agricultural leaders. Our 2023-24 scholarship recipients are pursuing various careers in agriculture,” said GFA Board Chairman and GFB President Tom McCall. “Georgia Farm Bureau is proud to support the foundation’s efforts. There are new, fascinating specialties in agriculture that our scholarship recipients are committing to study. We look forward to following these deserving students and their agricultural careers.”
Kersey, the daughter of Marvin Kersey and Jodi Jarvis, is a rising senior at the University of Georgia College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences (CAES) where she is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in poultry science with plans to one day work for a Georgia poultry company managing domestic exports and international imports.
Since enrolling at UGA, Kersey has become a member of the Sigma Alpha Professional Agricultural Sorority, UGA Collegiate 4-H, and the UGA Poultry Science Club. She has also served as a student ambassador for the UGA Poultry Science Department.
A Georgia Master 4-Her, Kersey credits her interest in poultry science to participating on the Emanuel County 4-H Poultry Judging Team.
Mercer, the son of Jim and Tracey Mercer, is graduating from Emanuel County Institute (ECI this spring. He plans to attend the University of Georgia in the fall and major in agricultural engineering.
While a student at ECI, Mercer has been an active FFA member, earning his State Degree and winning second or third place in forestry competitions three years and third place in tractor driving. He was a Beta Club member throughout high school as well as a member of the ECI baseball and football teams. Mercer is an active member of Twin City First Baptist Church.
The Georgia Foundation for Agriculture scholarships recognize deserving and outstanding students pursuing an agriculture or ag-related degree at an eligible technical college (such as welding, diesel mechanics, vet tech) or college in the University System of Georgia, Berry College or Emmanuel College. Instructions for applying for the 2024 GFA scholarships will be posted on the GFA website www.gafoundationag.org this fall.
ABOUT GEORGIA FOUNDATION FOR AGRICULTURE: The Georgia Foundation for Agriculture is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization dedicated to preparing Georgia agriculture’s next generation of leaders. The foundation offers scholarships to students pursuing agricultural careers, manages the Georgia Ag Experience mobile classroom, funds projects that increase students’ and the public’s understanding of agriculture and supports mental health awareness for rural residents. Visit www.gafoundationag.org to make a tax-deductible donation or learn more about the foundation and its programs.
