AMVAC, an American Vanguard company, awarded eight students attending universities across the South $2,000 each through the Southern Agriculture Industry Advancement Scholarship, a program built to support the next generation of Southern agriculturalists in their educational pursuits.
The 2026 recipients and their higher education institutions are:
- Jackson Barber, University of Arkansas
- Jackson Cleary, Auburn University
- Chrishon Ellis, Mississippi State University
- Braelynn Hartley, University of Georgia
- Delaney McHugh, Auburn University
- Lexi Savoy, McNeese State University
- Miranda Skaggs, Texas A&M University
- Josie Taylor, Murray State University
These eight winners were selected from more than 150 applicants and represent the seventh class of recipients for the Southern Agriculture Industry Advancement Scholarship program.
“All of us at AMVAC are proud to support these incredible students,” said Wen Carter, AMVAC Product Development and Technical Agronomy Manager. “The future of Southern agriculture needs hard-working, curious leaders who are committed to driving agriculture forward, and these recipients are proof that the industry is in great hands.”
To be eligible for this scholarship, students needed to be nominated by a crop consultant or agriculture professor and currently enrolled in an agricultural study program at an accredited university. This year’s scholarship class includes majors ranging from avian biology to agricultural communications and journalism, with recipients pursuing careers across the entire industry.
Jackson Cleary, an agriscience education major at Auburn University, is studying to be an agriculture teacher to make an impact on young people and to spark their interest in the field.
“I want to bring kids into the industry and make sure it continues to grow and youth are still involved in ag,” said Cleary. “I want to thank AMVAC for investing in the future of agriculture and making sure that we’re able to keep it alive.”
An agricultural business major at McNeese State University, Lexi Savoy is exploring a career path where she can champion farmers at the local and national levels.
“It’s a community and family in agriculture. It impacts us so much and I just want to advocate for those farmers,” said Savoy. “I’m very thankful for AMVAC wanting to better the future of agriculture and supporting the advocates and the next generation of agriculturalists.”
Learn more about this year’s recipients and AMVAC’s dedication to supporting the next generation of Southern agricultural leaders at AMVAC.com/Scholarship.
