LOUISVILLE, Ky. - One student from MTSU will get a little extra boost to help fund the college degree she is working to earn. Abigail Whicker is set to receive $5,000 over a two year period, while also benefiting from leadership opportunities and more.
Farm Credit Mid-America reports Whicker is 1 of 25 college students from 7-states (Delaware, Iowa, Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri, Ohio and Tennessee) to participate in its 2026 Scholars Program, an initiative designed to support and develop the next generation of leaders in agriculture and rural communities.
Now in its tenth year, the Farm Credit Mid-America Scholars Program provides rising college sophomores and juniors with $5,000 in financial support over a set two-year period. In addition to scholarship funds, scholars participate in immersive, week-long learning and travel experiences that emphasize leadership development, financial education and community impact.
Students are selected for the program based on academic performance, leadership qualities, community involvement and a demonstrated passion for promoting and advancing agriculture. Eligible participants must be pursuing degrees in agriculture or fields related to supporting rural communities.
“Our scholars come from different paths and places across rural America,” said Larry Gerber, head of human resources at Farm Credit Mid-America. “What connects them is a shared passion for agriculture and rural communities. We are proud to support them as they take the next steps forward.”
Scholarship funds will be awarded by August 2026 for the fall academic semester.
The Farm Credit Mid-America Scholars Program is one of many ways the cooperative invests in the future of agriculture. Over the past decade, Farm Credit Mid-America has awarded more than $2 million in scholarships and experiential learning experiences for students pursuing careers that help strengthen rural America.
In 2025 alone, Farm Credit Mid-America invested more than $4 million in programs and partnerships aimed at creating a more sustainable and prosperous future for rural communities. Of that amount, $1.59 million directly supported youth, college students and young and beginning farmers.
The 2026 Scholars cohort includes:
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Tennessee: Carlos Alvarez – University of Tennessee - Knoxville, Slayton Farrar – University of Tennessee - Knoxville, Abigail Whicker – Middle Tennessee State University, Casen Austin – University of Tennessee - Knoxville
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Delaware: Luke Michaud – University of Kentucky
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Iowa: Leo Klemm – Purdue University
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Indiana: Kassidy Wischmeier – Purdue University, Janellyn Fisher – Purdue University, Morgan Gamble – Purdue University, Conner Keeslar - Purdue University
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Kentucky: Nate Crumbley – University of Kentucky, Maddie Hedge – Murray State University, Jacob Rudy – University of Kentucky, McKinley Brooks – Murray State University, Mollie Goode – University of Kentucky, Mason Lovell – University of Tennessee - Martin, Tyren Harris – University of Kentucky
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Missouri: Mikaela Rojas – University of Missouri
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Ohio: Tessa Griffith – Ohio State University, Daniel Stacy – Ohio State University, Soda Kiser – University of Findlay, Derick Findley – Ohio State University, Addie Naus – Wilmington College, Anna Moeller – Wilmington College, Malainy Boes – Ohio State University
About Farm Credit Mid-America - A proud member of the Farm Credit System, Farm Credit Mid-America is securing the future of rural communities and agriculture® as a leading provider of reliable, consistent credit and financial services to farmers, producers, agribusinesses and rural residents in Arkansas, Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri, Ohio and Tennessee. The customer-owned cooperative serves more than 145,000 customers and manages a portfolio of $48.9 billion in total earning assets owned and managed. Farm Credit Mid-America’s products and services include loans for real estate, operating, equipment, rural living, crop insurance and vehicle, equipment and building leases. For more information, visit www.fcma.com.
For more information about Farm Credit Mid-America’s College Scholars program, visit fcma.com/community/investments/scholarships.
