Russell Libby Agricultural Scholar Awards
Apply for a Russell Libby Agricultural Scholar Award
- 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.
To apply: Please submit an application HERE. The deadline for 2023 applications is March 31.
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].
Portrait of Russell Libby by Robert Shetterly
Meet the 2022 Winners of the Scholar Awards
High School: Chantal Cyr
Chantal of Auburn believes there is “a universal need for healthy and whole food.” She plans to study sustainable agriculture and eventually hopes to one day “create an all-in-one farmer’s market, café, and nutrition center in one of Lewiston’s mill buildings.”
Photo courtesy of Chantal Cyr.
Educator: Lindsey Schortz
Lindsey is a garden coordinator and teacher. The funds from the scholarship will go towards building a composting system for the garden at the Belfast Community Outreach Program in Education (a high school program that serves at risk students).
Photo courtesy of Lindsey Schortz.
Journeyperson: Sy Schotz
Sy raises livestock and perennial crops, and is a proponent of scythes. He uses them in his own work and often teaches about them as well. The funds from this scholarship will help support his work educating about this great tool.
Photo courtesy of Sy Schotz.
Read more about this year’s Russel Libby Scholars in the Portland Press Herald.
