Russell Libby Agricultural Scholar Awards
About the Russell Libby Agricultural Scholar Awards
- MOFGA Journeyperson Program participant who is still farming in Maine (past or present participants welcome, and fiber and flower farmers are also welcome to apply).
- Maine high school senior planning to study sustainable or organic farming (preference for colleges in Maine)
- Teacher, school or education center looking to support an agricultural related project in Maine, such as a campus garden, classroom project or a guest lecturer.
Check back in 2025Â for 2025 application details.Â
Awards are granted to honor the late Russell Libby, who led the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association for 17 years and dedicated his life to growing the organic food movement. The scholarships offer support to students seeking to deepen their knowledge of organic and sustainable farm systems. Please note, a given individual will only be chosen as a winner of the scholarship one time.
For further information about Russell Libby Agricultural Scholarships, contact Anna Libby: [email protected]. For details about the Source Sustainability Awards, contact Peggy Grodinsky: [email protected].
The Russell Libby Agricultural Scholar Awards are a joint project of the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association and the Maine Sunday Telegram/Source and are generously supported by the Belfast Community Co-Op and Lee Auto Malls.
Portrait of Russell Libby by Robert Shetterly
Meet the 2024 Winners of the Scholar Awards
High School: Ren Salisbury
Salisbury says, “I have been in interested and active in farming my whole life. I plan to continue my passion in the future. This coming fall I am going to Lewis and Clark college in Oregon, where I will live in a different environment and continue agricultural exploration.”
Journeyperson: Hannah Smalls
From helping her family grow gardens growing up to running a market garden now, Smalls has been a lifelong grower. Smalls plans to use these funds to help complete several projects on her farm.Â
Educator: Colleen Maker
Colleen works at the Washington Academy Community Garden and is glad to be this year’s recipient of the Russell Libby Agricultural Scholarship. The funds will support increased produce for the Machias Food pantry this growing season. The main objective of the garden is to educate high school students on sustainable practices, empowering them to grow their own food and foster a strong sense of community service in the fight against food insecurity.
Photo courtesy of Colleen Maker.Â
Read more about this year’s Russel Libby Scholars in the Portland Press Herald.Â
